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THE 



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HISTORY 



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OF 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



WISCONSIN, 



CONTAINING 

A HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT, GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, RESOURCES, 
ETC., ETC., AN EXTENSIVE AND MINUTE SKETCH OF ITS CITIES, THEIR IMPROVEMENTS, 
INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTORIES, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, SOCIETIES, ETC., ETC., WAR 
RECORD, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT MEN AND 
EARLY SETTLERS, ETC., ETC., ETC.; ALSO HISTORY OF WISCONSIN, 
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND OF 
WISCONSIN, CONDENSED ABSTRACT OF 
LAWS OF WISCONSIN, MISCELLA- 
NEOUS, ETC., ETC. 



IX-LTTSTiaj^TEnD. 




C H I C A a O : 
WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY. 



MDCCCL.XXI.X. 

r. V 



CONTENTS. 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



Page. 

Antifiuities 19 

Indian Tribes 21 

Pre-Territoriiil Annals 29 

Wisconsin Terrirory 41 

Wisconsin iisaState 52 

First Administration 52 

Second Administration 57 

Tliird Administration 59 

Fourtli Administration 62 

Fifth Administration 64 

Sixth Administration 66 

Seventh Administration 67 

War of Secession Commenced 69 

Eighth Administration 76 

Ninth Administration 85 

Statistics of Volunteers 90 

Tenth Administration 92 , 

Eleventh Administration 93' 

Twelfth Administration 9i 

Thirteenth Administration 97 

Fourteentli Administration 99 

Fifteenth Admioistralion in4 

Sixteenth Admiaistration 1U9 

Topography and Geology 110 

The Archaean Age 112 

Paleozoic Time — Silurian Age 115 

Devonian Age 119 

Glacial Period 120 

Climatology 121 

Trees, Shrubs and Vines 128 

Fauna 134 

Fish and Fish Cultnre 134 

Large Animals — Time of their Disap- 
pearance 138 

Peculiarities of the Bird Fauna 139 

Educational 140 

Original School Code 140 

Agitcition for Free Schools 141 

School System under State Govern- 
ments 141 

School Fund Income 142 

State University 143 

Agricultural College 144 

Normal Schools 144 

Teachers' Institutes 146 

Graded Schools 146 



Page. 
Educational : 

Township System 146 

Free High Schools 147 

School Offices. 147 

State Teachers' Certificates 147 

Teachers' Associations 148 

Libraries 148 

State Superintendents 148 

College Sketches 149 

Female Colleges 150 

Academies and Seminaries 151 

Commercial Schools 151 

Agriculture 151 

Mineral Resources 162 

Lead and Zinc 162 

Iron 165 

Copper ; 168 

Gold and Silver 168 

Brick Clays 168 

Cement Kock 170 

Limestone— Glass Sand 171 

Peat— Building Stones 172 

Railroads 173 

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 173 

Chicago & Northwestern 176 

Wisconsin Central 178 

Western Union. .^ 179 

W^est Wisconsin 180 

Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western 180 

Green Bay *fe Blinuesota 181 

Wisconsin Valley 181 

Sheboygan & Fooddu Lac 181 

Mineral Point 182 

Madison & Portage 182 

North Wisconsin 183 

Prairie du Chien & McGregor 183 

Chippewa Falls A >ye8tern 183 

Narrow Gauge 183 

Conclusion 184 

Lumber 185 

Banking 191 

Commerce and Manufactures 198 

Furs 199 

Lead and Zinc — Iron 200 

Lumber 201 

Grain 202 



Pa(je. 

Commerce and Manufactures : 

Dairy Products 203 

Pork and Beef. 203 

Hops 204 

Tobacco — Cranberries 205 

Liquors 205 

Miscellaneous 206 

Water Powers 206 

Manufactures 208 

Conclusion 208 

The PublicDomain 210 

Health 230 

Geographical Position 230 

Physical Features 230 

Geology 231 

Drainage 232 

Climatology 232 

Rain Character 233 

Isotlierms 234 

Barometrical 234 

Winds 235 

Climatological Changes from Settling 

in the State 235 

Influence of Nationalities 237 

Occupations— Food — Education, etc 238 

History of Disease 238 

Ratio of Sickness, Ft. Howard and Win- 
nebago 239- 

Education of the Blind 241 

Institute of Deaf and Dumb 241 

Industrial School for Boys 242" 

State Prison " 242 

State Hospital for the Insane 2-12 

Northern Hospital for the Insane 24a 

City of Milwaukee 243 

Health Resorts 244 

Change of Diseases 24& 

Pulmonary Diseases 248 

Statistics 249 

Population, 1875, of Townships, Alpha- 
betically Arranged by Counties 24& 

Population by Counties 258 

Nativity by Counties 259 

Valuation of Property 260 

Acreage of Principal Crops 261, 262" 



ABf^TRACT OF l%ISCOKSlM STATE TAWS. 



Page. 

Actions 283 

Arrest 283 

Attachment 284 

Adoption of Children 276 

Assignment of Mortgage 274 

Assessment and Collection of Taxes 267 

Assessment of Taxes 268 

Bills of Exchange or Promissory Notes 272 

Borrowed Money 267 

Capital Punishment 278 

Collection of Taxes * 270 

Commercial Terms 28t 

Common Schools 266 

Damages for Trespass 279 



Page. 

Elections and General Elections 263 

Estrays 279 

Exemptions 284 

Fences 280 

Forms of Conveyances 273 

Forms of Mortgages 274 

Garnishment 284 

Highways and Bridges 270 

Hours of Labor 273 

Interest 277 

Intoxicating Liquors 271 

Judgments 284 

Jurisdiction of Courts 277 

Jurors 278 



Page 

Landlord and Tenant 2Sl 

Limitation of Actions 285 

Marks !lnd Brands 281 

Married Women 28;i 

Stay Law 284 

Surveyors and Surveys 282 

Support of Poor 282 

Suggestions to Persons Purchasing Books 

by Subscription 285 

Title of Real Property by Descent 275 

Weights and Measures 278 

Wills 276 

Wolf Scalps 278 



Page. I 

Wisconsin Sta*e Constitution 287 

V. S. Constitution 297 



KISCICl.LANEOUS. 

Page. | 
Vote of Wisconsin for Governor and Presi- 
dent 306-307 



Population of the State,. 



Page. 
....30& 



IV 



C0XTEXT8. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COIJIVTV. 



Page. 

Topography 309 

Elevations 310 

Water-Power of Rock River 312 

Spiingfl 312 

Artesian Wells 313 

Geological 315 

Climatology 31g 

Political (ieogiaphy 318 

County as Represented on Early Maps 319 

Mouiid-Builderg 319 

Indian Occupancy 321 

Black Hawk War. 324 

United .States Surveys and Land Sales 331 

Gein*ral History 333 

Early Settlement 333 

^ ■' The Ancient City " 335 

Hebron 335 

Johnson's Migrations, etc 336 

Fort Atkinson 339 

Aztalan 342 

Lake Mills 346 

Jefferson 347 

Ixonia 348 

incidents of Pioneer Life 349 

Wolves, Indians and Trials 349 

Historical Facts 351 

County Roster 35I 

County Buildings 353 

Criuiinal Causes 355 

The Tempest's Track 36O 

The Fighting Finch Family .464 

Schools, Resources, Population, etc 466 

Teachers 357 

Dairymen's Association 369 

Agricultural Society 369 

Agricultural Productions 376 

Agricultural Statistics, 1865-77 376 

War Reciird 377 

PolitiL-al History '.""!! '.r.!!!396 

Waterttiwn ...400 

Timothy Johnson 401 

A Difficult Voyixg" 401 



Page. 

Luther A. Cole... 402 

A Mild Revenge 4o3 

An Unequal Struggle ^403 

An Ancient Mariner 404 

First Death and First Birth 405 

First Deed 405 

Growth of Watertown 405 

First Settlers 40$ 

Schools 407 

Pr<^ss ".410 

Churches 41s 

'Manufactories 424 

Gas Company 429 

Grain Elevators 409 

Water- Power 430 

Banks 430 

Hotels 431 

Fire Department 432 

Post Office 435 

Public Halls 436 

"Der Vlehmarkt" 437 

Secret and Other Societies 4;J7 

Musical and Singing Societies— Band. ...440 

Local Militia 441 

Government 441 

Town Government 441 

The Village 445 

Incorporation 440 

Location 454 

City's Indebtedness 454 

Railroads 458 

Water 4^4 

Landmarks 4o'4 

Historical Items 404 

Cemeteries 455 

Jefferson 450 j 

Original Settlement 466 

Growth and Improvements 466 I 

Location of County Seat 468 ' 

Official Roster and TownT>rganization..47I ' 

Village Charter 472 

Fire Department 475 ! 



Page. 

Water-Power 47^ 

Manufactories 477 

Banks .'.^gs 

Societies 434 

Religious .Z." '.'.'.. 4S5 

Cemetery 491 

Press "!"""...4U2 

Schools 495 

Institute 496 

Post Oflice .......497 

Fort Atkinson 49^ 

Early History ..!!!!"498 

Bridge 501 

The City's Progress .502 

The Mormons 502 

Horse-Thieves 502 

The First Training 502 

Items of Interest 502 

Town Meetings 504 

Village Roster 507 

City Roster 507 

Banks 508 

Manufacturing 508 

Societies 510 

Schools 512 

Press '..'.'.'.".""514 

Post Office 5i,j 

Churches 517 

Cemetery 519 

Town of Sullivan !..!!!519 

Town of Farmington 527 

Palmyra ."!!."]529 

Town and Village of Cold Spring 536 

Lake Mills 535 

Hebron and its Surroundings 543 

Aztalan ^57 

Waterloo 551 

Town of Milford "."".'.566 

Town of Ixonia 566 

Town of Oakland 567 

Town uf Sumner §67 

Relics of the Red Race .567 



PORTRAITS. 



Blomenfeld D 415 Cole, J. W 

Buchheit, William 433 Caswell. L. B. .. 

Coiun.us Henry 437 Ernst, Aug F 

J;'*PP- -^ ^-i 523 I Green, Walt. S 

Curia, D. W 505 : Hake, W. H 

^"i;^'%*»- S 361 Jones, Thomas C 

Cody, James 45j 

Cole, Luther A *V.""*307 I 



Pahe. 

, 397 

379 

695 

631 

649 

613 



Ostrander, J. W 

R"»gaii, Patrick 

Rogan, James 

Smith, Adams 

Stoppenbach, Charlei 

Winslow, Joseph 

WillarJ. H. B 

White, k. S 



Pace. 

Ml 

326 

343 

469 

7a3 

659 

685 

669 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKKTC'HES. 



Aztalan 

('old Sprine.. 

Concord 

Farmington . 

Hebron 

Ixonia 



Page. 

724 

r 678 

674 

721 

727 

717 



Jetferson 

Koshkonnng 

Lake Mills 

Milford 

Oakland 



PAfiE. 

637 

687 

7111 

726 

7114 



Palmyra 

Sullivan 

Sumuer 

Waterloo 

Watertown City 

Watertown Township.. 



Page. 

553 

664 

711 

682 

597 

633 




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HISTORY OF WISCOl^SIN. 

BY C. W. BUTTERFIELD. 



- I.— WISCONSIN ANTIQUITIES. 

The first explorers of the valleys of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi and its tributaries, 
seem not to have noticed, to any considerable extent, the existence within these vast areas of 
monuments of an extinct race. Gradually, however, as the tide of emigration broke through the 
barriers of the Alleghanies and spread in a widely extended flow over what are now the States of 
the Northwest, these prehistoric vestiges attracted more and more the attention of the curious 
and the learned, until, at the present time, almost every person is presumed to have some general 
knowledge, not only of their existence, but of some of their striking peculiarities. Unfortunately, 
these signs of a long since departed people are fast disappearing by the never ceasing operations 
of the elements, and the constant encroachments of civilization. The earliest notices of the 
animal and vegetable kingdom of this region are to be found in its rocks ; but Wisconsin's earli- 
est records of men can only be traced in here and there a crumbling earth-work, in the fragment 
of a skeleton, or in a few stone and copper implements — dim and shadowy relics of their 
handicraft. 

The ancient dwellers in these valleys, whose history is lost in the lapse of ages, are desig- 
nated, usually, as the Mound-Builders ; not thnt building mounds was probably their distinctive 
employment, but that such artificial elevations of the earth are, to a great extent, the only evi- 
dences remaining of their actual occupation of the country. As to the origin of these people, 
all knowledge must, possibly, continue to rest upon conjecture alone. Nor were the habitations 
of this race confined to the territory of which Wisconsin now forms a part. At one time, they 
must have been located in many ulterior regions. The earth- works, tumuli, or "mounds," as they 
are generally designated, are usually symmetrically raised and often inclosed in mathematical 
figures, such as the square, the octagon, and the circle, with long lines of circumvallation. 
Besides these earth-works, there are pits dug in the solid rock ; rubbish heaps formed in the 
prosecution of mining operations ; and a variety of iipplements and utensils, wrought in copper 
or stone, or moulded in clay. Whence came the inhabitants who left these evidences to succeed- 
ing generations .' In other words, who were the Mound-Builders .'' Did they migrate from the 
Old World, or is their origin to be sought for elsewhere? And as to their manners and customs 
and civilization — what of these things.? Was the race finally swept from the New World to give 
place to Red men, or was it the one from which the latter descended .' These momentous ques- 
tions are left for the ethnologist, the archsologist, and the antiquarian of the future to answer — 
if they can. 



20 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Inclosures and mounds of the prehistoric people, it is generally believed, constituted but 
parts of one system; the former being, in the main, intended for purposes of defense or religion; 
the latter, for sacrifice, for temple sites, for burial places, or for observatories. In selecting sites 
for many of these earth-works, the Mound-Builders appear to have been influenced by motives 
which prompt civilized men to choose localities for their great marts; hence, Cincinnati, St. 
Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee and other cities of the West are founded on ruins of pre-existing 
structures. River terraces and river bottoms seem to have been the favorite places for these 
earth-works. In such localities, the natural advantages of the country could be made available 
with much less trouble than in portions of the country lying at a distance from water-courses. 
In Wisconsin, therefore, as in other parts, the same general idea of selecting points contiguous 
to the principal natural thoroughfares is found to have prevailed with the Mound-Builders ; for 
their works are seen in the basin of the Fox river of the Illinois, in that of Rock river and its 
branches, in the valley of Fox river of Green bay, in that of the Wisconsin, as well as near 
the waters of the Mississippi. 

While a few circumvallations and immense mounds, such as are common to certain other 
portions of the United States, are discoverable in Wisconsin, yet by far the largest number of 
earthworks have one peculiarity not observable, except in a few instances, outside the State. 
This characteristic is a very striking one The fact is revealed that they are imitative in form — 
resembling beasts, reptiles, birds, fish, man. All these, for convenience, are usually classed 
under the general name of "animal mounds," although some are in the similitude of trees, some 
of war clubs, others of tobacco pipes. Generally, these figures are in groups, though sometimes 
they are seen alone. For what purpose these earth-works were heaped up — they rise above the 
surface two, four, and sometimes six feet — or what particular uses they were intended to subserve, 
is unknown. It is, however, safe to affirm that they had some significance. A number resemble 
the bear; a few, the buffalo; others, the raccoon. Lizards, turtles, and even tadpoles, are out- 
lined in the forms of some. The war eagle, and the war club has each its representative. All 
this, of course, could not have been a mere happening — the work of chance. The sizes of these 
mounds are as various as their forms. One near Cassville, in Grant county, very complete in 
its representation of an animal, supposed to be of the elephant species, was found, upon measure- 
ment, to have a total length of one hundred and thirty-five feet. Another in Sauk county, quite 
perfect in its resemblance to the form of a man, was of equal length — a veritable colossus ; 
prone, it is true, and soon to disappear, if it has not already been destroyed, by ravages of a 
superior civilization. 

In portions of Wisconsin, as well as in a few places outside the State, are found earth-works 
of another kind, but quite as remarkable as the "animal mounds," which, from their supposed 
use, have been styled "garden beds." They are ridges, or beds, about six inches in height and 
four feet in width, ranged, with much apparent method, in parallel rows, sometimes rectangular 
in shape, sometimes of various but regular and symmetrical curves, and occupying fields of from 
ten to a hundred acres. 

The Mound-Builders have left many relics, besides their earthworks, to attest their presence 
in Wisconsin in ages past. Scattered widely are found stone and copper axes, spear-heads, and 
arrow-heads, also various other implements — evidently their handiwork. As these articles are 
frequently discovered many feet beneath the surface, it argues a high antiquity for the artificers. 
Whether they had the skill to mould their copper implements is doubtful. Such as plainly show 
the work of hammering, indicate an art beyond that possessed by the Red men who peopled 
America upon its first discovery by Europeans. In a few instances, fragments of human skulls 
have been found so well preserved as to enable a comparison to be drawn between the crania of 



THE IXDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 21 

this ancient race and those of modern ones ; the results, however, of these comparisons throw 
little, if any, light upon "the dark backward and abysm " of mound-building times. 

The evidences of an extinct people of superior intelligence is very strikingly exhibited in 
the ancient copper mines of the Lake Superior region. Here are to be found excavations in the 
solid rock; heaps of rubble and dirt ; copper utensils fashioned into knives, chisels, and spear 
and arrow-heads; stone hammers; wooden bowls and shovels; props and levers for raising and 
supporting the mass copper; and ladders for ascending and descending the pits. These mines 
were probably worked by people not only inhabiting what Is now the State of Wisconsin, but 
territory farther to the southward. The copper was here obtained, it is believed, which has been 
found in many places, even as far away as the northern shore of the Gulf of Mexico, wrought 
into various implements and utensils. But there are no traces in Wisconsin of a " copper age " 
succeeding a " stone age," discernadle in any prehistoric relics. They all refer alike to one 
age — the indefinite past; to one people — the Mound-Builders. 

II.— THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 

When, as early, it is believed, as 1634, civilized man first set foot upon the territory now 
included within the boundaries of Wisconsin, he discovered, to his surprise, that upon this wide 
area met and mingled clans of two distinct and wide-spread families — the Algonquins and 
Sioux. The tribes of the former, moving westward, checkec^the advance of the latter in their 
excursions eastward. As yet there had been no representatives of the Huron-Iroquois seen west 
of Lake Michigan — the members of this great family, at that date dwelling in safety in the 
extensive regions northward and southward of the Erie and Ontario lakes. Already had the 
French secured a foot-hold in the extensive valley of the St. Lawrence ; and, naturally enough, 
the chain of the Great Lakes led their explorers to the mouth of Green bay, and up that water- 
course and its principal tributary. Fox river, to the Wisconsin, an affluent of the Mississippi. 
On the right, in ascending this bay, was seen, for the first time, a nation of Indians, lighter in 
complexion than neighboring tribes, and remarkably well formed, now well known as the 
Menomonees. 

This nation is of Algonquin stock, but their dialect differed so much from the surrounding 
tribes of the same family, it having strange guttural sounds and accents, as well as peculiar inflec- 
tions of verbs and other parts of speech, that, for a long time, they were supposed to have a 
distinct language. Their traditions point to an emigration from the East at some remote 
period. When first visited by the French missionaries, these Indians subsisted largely upon wild 
rice, from which they t'ook their name. The harvest time of this grain was in the month of 
September. It grew spontaneously in little streams with slimy bottoms, and in marshy places. 
The harvesters went in their canoes across these watery fields, shaking the ears right and left as 
they advanced, the grain falling easily, if ripe, into the bark receptacle beneath. To clear it 
from chaff and strip it of a pellicle inclosing it, they put it to dry on a wooden lattice above a 
small fire, which was kept up for several days. When the rice was well dried, it was placed 
in a skin of the form of a bag, which was then forced into a hole, made on purpose, in the 
ground. They then tread it out so long and so well, that the grain being freed from the chaff, 
was easily winnowed. After this, it was pounded to meal, or left unpounded, and boiled in 
water seasoned with grease. It thus became a very palatable diet. It must not be inferred that 
this was the only food of the Menomonees; they were adepts in fishing, and hunted with skill 
the game which abounded in the forests. 

For many years after their discovery, the Menomonees had their homes and hunting 



•22 HISTORY OF -WISCONSIN. 

grounds upon, or adjacent to, the Menomonee river. Finally, after the lapse of a century and a 
quarter, down to 1760, when the French yielded to the English all claims to the country, the 
territory of the Menomonees had shifted somewhat to the westward and southward, and their 
principal village was found at the head of Green bay, while a smaller one was still in existence 
at the mouth of their favorite stream. So slight, however, had been this change, that the country 
of no other of the surrounding tribes had been encroached upon by the movement. 

In 1634, the Menomonees probably took part in a treaty with a representative of the French, 
who had thus early ventured so far into the wilds of the lake regions. More than a score of 
years elapsed before the tribe was again visited by white men,— that is to say, there are no 
authentic accounts of earlier visitations. In i66p, Father Ren6 Menard had penetrated the Lake 
Superior country as far, at least, as Kewenaw, in what is now the northern part of Michigan, 
whence some of his French companions probably passed down the Menomonee river to the 
waters of Green bay the following year ; but no record of the Indians, through whose territory 
they passed, was made by these voyagers. Ten years more — 1670 — brought to the Menomonees 
(who doubtless had already been visited by French fur-traders) Father Claudius AUouez, to win 
tiiemto Christianity. He had previously founded a mission upon the bay of Chegoimegon, now 
Chaquamegon, or Ashland bay, an arm of Lake Superior, within the present State of Wisconsin, 
in charge of which, at that date, was Father James Marquette. Proceeding from the " Sault" on 
the third of November, Allouez, early in December, 1669, reached the mouth of Green bay, where, 
on the third, in an Indian village of Sacs, Pottawattamies, Foxes and Winnebagoes, containing about 
six hundred souls, he celebrated the holy mass for the first time upon this new field of his labors, 
— eight Frenchmen, traders with the Indians, whom the missionary found there upon his arrival, 
taking part in the devotions. His first Christian work with the Menomonees was performed in 
May of the next year. Allouez found this tribe a feeble one, almost exterminated by war. He 
spent but little time with them, embarking, on the twentieth of that month, after a visit to some 
Pottawattamies and Winnebagoes, '' with a Frenchman and a savage to go to Sainte Mary of the 
Sault." His place was filled by Father Louis Andre, who, not long after, erected a cabin upon 
the Menomonee river, which, with one at a village where his predecessor had already raised the 
standard of the cross, was soon burned by the savages; but the missionary, living almost con- 
stantly in his canoe, continued for some time to labor with the Menomonees and surrounding 
tribes. The efforts of Andre were rewarded with some conversions among the former ; for Mar- 
quette, who visited them in 1673, found many good Christians among them. 

The record of ninety years of French domination in Wisconsin — beginning in June, 1671, 
and ending in October, 1761 — brings to light but little of interest so far as the Menomonees are 
concerned. Gradually they extended their intercourse with the white fur traders. Gradually 
and with few interruptions (one in 1728, and one in 1747 of a serious character) they were 
drawn under the banner of France, joining with that government in its wars with the Iroquois; 
in its contests, in 1712, 1729, 1730, and 1751, with the Foxes; and, subsequently, in its conflicts 
with the English. 

The French post, at what is now Green Bay, Brown county, Wisconsin, was, along with the 
residue of the western forts, surrendered to the British in 1760, although actual possession of the 
former was not taken until the Fall of the next year. The land on which the fort stood was 
claimed by the Menomonees. Here, at that date, was their upper and principal village, the 
lower one being at the mouth of the Menomonee river. These Indians soon became reconciled 
to the English occupation of their territory, notwithstanding the machinations of French traders 
who endeavored to prejudice them against the new comers. The Menomonees, at this time, 
were very much reduced, having, but a short time previous, lost three hundred of their warriors 



THE INDIAN TRIBES OF. WISCONSIN. 23 

by the small pox, and most of their chiefs in the late war in which they had been engaged by the 
then French commander there, against the English. They were glad to substitute English for 
French traders ; as they could purchase supplies of them at one half the price they had previously 
paid. It was not long before the sincerity of the Menomonees was put to the test. Pontiac's 
War of 1763 broke out', and thejiost of Mackinaw was captured. The garrison, however, at Green 
bay was not only not attacked by the savages, but, escorted by the Menomonees and other tribes, 
crossed Lake Michigan in safety to the village of L'Arbre Croche ; thence making their way to 
Montreal. The Menomonees continued their friendship to the English, joining with them 
against the Colonies during the Revolution, and fighting on the same side during the war of 
'812-15. 

When, in July, 1816, an American force arrived at Green bay to take possession of the 
country, the Menomonees were found in their village near by, very peaceably inclined. The 
commander of the troops asked permission of their chief to build a fort. " My Brother!" was 
the response, " how can we oppose your locating a council-fire among us .' You are too stron^ 
for us. Even if we wanted to oppose you we have scarcely got powder and ball to make the 
attempt: One favor we ask is, that our French brothers shall not be disturbed. You can choose 
any place you please for your fort, and we shall not object." No trouble had been anticipated 
from the Menomonees, and the expectations of the government of the United States in that 
regard were fully realized. What added much to the friendship now springing up between the 
Menomonees and the Americans was the fact that the next year — 1817 — the annual contribution, 
which for many years had been made by the British, consisting of a shirt, leggins, breech-clout, 
and blanket for each member or the tribe, and for each family a copper kettle, knives, axes, guns 
and ammunition, was withheld by them. 

If was found by the Americans, upon their occupation of the Menomonee territory, that 
some of the women of that tribe were married to traders and boatmen who had settled at t'-e 
head of the bay, there being no white women in that region. Many of these were Canadians of 
French extraction ; hence the anxiety that they should be well treated, which was expressed by 
the Menomonees upon the arrival of the American force. At this period there was a consider- 
able trade carried on with these Indians at Prairie du Chien, as many of them frequently win- 
tered on the Mississippi. The first regular treaty with this tribe was " made and concluded" on 
the thirtieth day of March, 1817, "by and between William Clark, Ninian Edwards, and 
Auguste Chouteau, commissioners on the part and behalf of the United States of America, of the 
one part," and the chiefs and warriors, deputed by the Menomonees, of the other part. By the 
terms of this compact all injuries were to be forgiven and forgotten ; perpetual peace established; 
lands, heretofore ceded to other governments, confirmed to the United States ; all prisoners to be 
delivered up ; and the tribe placed under the protection of the United States, " and of no other 
nation, power, or sovereign, whatsoever." The Menomonees were now fully and fairly, and for 
the first time, entitled to be known as " American Indians," in contradistinction to the term 
which had been so long used as descriptive of their former allegiance — " British Indians." 

The territory of the Menomonees, when the tribe was taken fully under the wini, of the Gen- 
eral Government, had become greatly extended. It was bounded on the north by the dividing' 
ridge between the waters flowing into Lake Superior and those flowing south into Green bay and 
the Mississippi; on the east, by Lake Michigan; on the south, by the Milwaukee river, and on 
the west by the Mississippi and Black rivers. This was their territory; though they were prac- 
tically restricted to the occupation of the western shore of Lake Michigan, lying between the 
mouth of Green bay on the north and the Milwaukee river on the south, and to a somewhat 
indefinite area west. Their general claim, as late as 1825, was north to the Chippewa country: 



24 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN. 

east to Green bay and Lake Michigan ; south to the Milwaukee river, and west to Black river. 
And what is most surprising is that the feeble tribe of 1761 had now, in less than three quarters 
of a century, become a powerful nation, numbering between three and four thousand. 

The Menomonee territory, as late as 1831, still preserved its large proportions. Its eastern 
division was bounded by the Milwaukee river, the shore of Lake Michigan, Green bay, Fox 
river, and Winnebago lake ; its western division, by the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers on the 
west; Fox river on the south; Green bay on the east, and the high lands whence flow the streams 
into Lake Superior, on the north. This year, however, it was shorn of a valuable and large part 
by the tribe ceding to the United States all the eastern division, estimated at two and one half 
million acres. The following year, the Menomonees aided the General Government in the Black 
Hawk war. 

That the Menomonees might, as much as possible, be weaned from thefr wandering habits, 
their permanent home was designated to be a large tract lying north of Fox river and east of 
Wolf river. Their territory farther west, was reserved for their hunting grounds until such time 
as the General Government should desire to purchase it. In 1836, another portion, amounting to 
four million acres, lying between Green bay on the east and Wolf river on the west, was dis- 
posed of to the United States, besides a strip three miles in width from near the portage north, 
on each side of the Wisconsin river and forty-eight miles long — still leaving them in peace- 
able possession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty 
broad. 

Finally, in 184S, the Menomonees sold all their lands in Wisconsin to the General Govern- 
ment, preparatory to their movement to a reservation beyond the Mississippi of six hundred 
thousand acres ; but the latter tract was afterward re-ceded to the United States ; for, notwith- 
standing there were treaty stipulations for the removal of the tribe to that tract, there were 
obstacles in the way of their speedy migration, resulting, finally, in their being permitted to remain 
in Wisconsin. Lands, to the amount of twelve townships, were granted them for their permanent 
homes, on the upper Wolf river, in what is now Shawano and Oconto counties — a portion, but 
a very small one, of what was once their extensive possessions. To this reservation they removed 
in October, 1852. Thus are the Menomonees, the only one of the original tribes of Wisconsin 
who, as a whole, have a local habitation within its limits. This tribe refused to join the Sioux in 
their outbreak in 1861, and several of their warriors served as volunteers in the United States 
army during the late civil war. 

It is now over two centuries since the civilized world began to gain knowledge of the exist- 
ence, in the far West, of a tribe of Indians known as the Winnebagoes — that is, men of the sea; 
pointing, possibly, to their early migration from the shores of the Mexican gulf, or the Pacific. 
The territory now included within the limits of Wisconsin, and so much of the State of Michigan 
as lies north of Green bay. Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinaw and Lake Huron were, in 
early times, inhabited by several tribes of the Algonquin race, forming a barrier to the Dakotas, 
or Sioux, who had advanced eastward to the Mississippi. But the Winnebagoes, although one of 
the tribes belonging to the family of the latter, had passed the great river, at some unknown, 
period, and settled upon the head waters of Green bay. Here, this "sea-tribe," as early, it is 
believed, as 1634, was visited by an agent of France and a treaty concluded with them. The tribe 
afterward called themselves Hochungara, or Ochunkoraw, but were styled by the Sioux, Hotanke, 
or Sturgeon. Nothing more is heard of the Ouenibigoutz, or Winnebegouk (as the Winnebagoes 
were early called by the Jesuit missionaries, and the .Algonquin tribes, meaning men from the 
fetid or salt water, translated by the French, Puants) for the next thirty-five years, although 
there is no doubt that the tribe had been visited meanwhile by adventurous Frenchmen, when on 
the second of December, 1669, some of that nation were noted at a Sac (Sauk or Saukis) village 
on Green bay, by Father .\llouez. 



THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 25 

As early at least as 1670, the French were actively engaged among the Winnebagoes trading. 
" We found affairs," says one of the Jesuit missionaries, who arrived among them in September of 
that year, " we found affairs there in a pretty bad posture, and the minds of the savages much 
soured against the French, who were there trading ; ill-treating them in deeds and words, pillag- 
ing and carrying away their merchandise in spite of them, and conducting themselves toward 
them with insupportable insolences and indignities. The cause of this disorder," adds the mis- 
sionary, " is that they had received some bad treatment from the French, to whom they had this 
year come to trade, and particularly from the soldiers, from whom they pretended to have received 
many wrongs and injuries." It is thus made certain that the arms of France were carried into 
the territory of the Winnebagoes over two hundred years ago. 

The Fox river of Green bay was found at that date a difficult stream to navigate. Two 
lesuits who ascended the river in 1670, had "three or four leagues of rapids to contend with," 
when they had advanced " one day's journey " from the head of the bay, " more difficult than those 
•which are common in other rivers, in this, that the flints, over which" they had to walk with 
naked feet to drag their canoes, were so " sharp and so cutting, that one has all the trouble in the 
world to hold one's self steady against the great rushing of the waters." At the falls they found 
an idol that the savages honored ; " never failing, in passing, to make him some sacrifice of 
tobacco, or arrows, or paintings, or other things, to thank him that, by his assistance, they had, in 
ascending, avoided the dangers of the waterfalls which are in this stream ; or else, if they had to 
ascend, to pray him to aid them in this perilous navigation." The devout missionaries caused 
the idol " to be lifted up by the strength of arm, and cast into the depths of the river, to appear 
no more " to the idolatrous savages. 

The mission of St. Francis Xavier, founded in December, 1669, by Allouez, was a roving one 
among the tribes inhabiting the shores of Green bay and the interior country watered by the Fox 
river and its tributaries, for about two years, when its first mission-house was erected at what is 
now Depere, Brown county. This chapel was soon after destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt 
in 1676. 

The Winnebagoes, by this time, had not only received considerable spiritual instruction from 
the Jesuit fathers, but had obtained quite an insight into the mysteries of trading and trafficking 
with white men; for, following the footsteps of the missionaries, and sometimes preceding them, 
were the ubiquitous French fur traders. It is impossible to determine precisely what territory 
was occupied by the Winnebagoes at this early date, farther than that they lived near the head 
of Green bay. 

A direct trade with the French upon the St. Lawrence was not carried on by the Winne- 
bagoes to any great extent until the beginning of the eighteenth century. As early as 1679, 
an advance party of La Salle had collected a large store of furs at the mouth of Green bay, 
doubtless in a traffic with this tribe and others contiguous to them; generally, however, the 
surrounding nations sold their peltries to the Ottawas, who disposed of them, in turn, to the 
French. The commencement of the eighteenth century found the Winnebagoes firmly in 
alliance with France, and in peace with the dreaded Iroquios. In 1718, the nation numbered 
six hundred. They were afterward found to have moved up Fox river, locating upon Winne- 
bago lake, which stream and lake were their ancient seat, and from which they had been driven 
either by fear or the prowess of more powerful tribes of the West or Southwest. Their inter- 
course with the French was gradually extended and generally peaceful, though not always so, 
joining with them, as did the Menomonees, in their wars with the Iroquois, and subsequently in 
their conflicts with the English, which finally ended in 1760. 

When the British, in October, 1761, took possession of the French post, at the head of 



26 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

Green bay, the Winnebagoes were found to number one hundred and fifty warriors only ; their 
nearest village being at the lower end of Winnebago lake. They had in all not less than three 
towns. Their country, at this period, included not only that lake, but all the streams flowing 
into it, especially Fox river; afterward e.xtended to the Wisconsin and Rock rivers. They 
readily changed their course of trade — asking now of the commandant at the fort for English 
traders to be sent among them. In the Indian outbreak under Pontiac in 1763, they joined 
with the Menomonees and other tribes to befriend the Britisli garrison at the head of the bay, 
assisting in conducting them to a place of safety. They continued their friendship to the English 
during the Revolution, by joining with them against the colonies, and were active in the Indian 
war of 1790-4, taking part in the attack on Fort Recovery, upon the Maumee, in the present 
State of Ohio, in 1793. They fought also on the side of the British in the war of 1812-15, 
aiding, in 1S14, to reduce Prairie du Chien. They were then estimated at 4,500. When, in 
1816, the government of the United States sent troops to take possession of the Green bay 
country, by establishing a garrison there, some trouble was anticipated from these Indians, who, 
at that date, had the reputation of being a bold and warlike tribe. A deputation from the nation 
came down Fox river and remonstrated with the American commandant at what was thought 
to be an intrusion. They were desirous of knowing why a fort was to be established so near 
them. The reply was that, although the troops were armed for war if necessary, their purpose 
was peace. Their response was an old one : " If your object is peace, you have too many men ; 
if war, you have too few." However, the display of a number of cannon which had not yet been 
mounted, satisfied the Winnebagoes that the Americans were masters of the situation, and the 
deputation gave the garrison no farther trouble. On the 3d of June, 1816, at St. Louis, the tribe 
made a treaty of peace and friendship with the General Government; but they continued to levy' 
tribute on all white people who passed up Fox river. English annuities also kept up a bad 
feeling. At this time, a portion of the tribe was living upon the Wisconsin river, away from the 
rest of the nation, which was still seated upon the waters flowing into Green bay. In 1820^ 
they had five villages on Winnebago lake and fourteen on Rock river. In 1825, the claim of 
the Winnebagoes was an extensive one, so far as territory was concerned. Its southeast 
boundary stretched away from the source of Rock river to within forty miles of its mouth, in 
Illinois, where they had a village. On the west it extended to the heads of the small streams 
flowing into the Mississippi. To the northward, it reached Black river and the upper Wis- 
consin, in other words, to the Chippewa territory, but did not extend across Fox river, although 
they contended for the whole of Winnebago lake. In 1829, a large part of their territory in 
southwest Wisconsin, lying between Sugar river and the Mississippi, and extending to the ^Vis- 
consin river, was sold to the General Government ; and, three years later all the residue lying 
south and east of the Wisconsin and the Fox river of Green bay ; the Winnebago prophet having 
before t'lat date supported the Sacs in their hostility. Finally, in the brief language of the treaty 
between this tribe (which had become unsettled and wasteful) and the United States, of the first 
of November, 1837, "The Winnebago Nation of Indians " ceded to the General Government 
" all their lands east of the Mississippi." Not an acre was reserved. And the Indians agreed 
that, within eight months from that date, they would move west of " the great river." This 
arrangenient, however, was not carried out fully. In 1842, there were only 756 at Turkey river, 
Iowa, their new home, with as many in Wisconsin, and smaller bands e' ewhere. All had become 
lawless, and roving. Some removed in 184S; while a party to the number of over eight hun- 
dred left the State as late as 1873. The present home of the tribe is in Nebraska, where they 
have a reservation north of and adjacent to the Omahas, containing over one hundred thousand 
acres. However, since their first removal beyond the Mississippi, they have several times 



THE IXDIAX TEIBES OF WISCONSIN. 27 

changed their place of abode. Their number, all told, is less than twenty-five hundred. 

When the territory, now. constituting the northern portion of Wisconsin, becai..e very 
generally known to the civilized inhabitants of the eastern part of the United States, it was 
found to be occupied by Indians called the Chippewas. Their hunting-grounds extended south 
from Lake Superior to the heads of the Menomonee, the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers ; also 
farther eastward and westward. At an early day they were engaged in a war with the Sioux — 
a war indeed, which was long continued. The Chippewas, however, persistently maintained 
their position — still occupying the same region when the General Government extended its 
jurisdiction over the whole country south of the Great Lakes and west to the Mississippi. 

By treaties with the Chippewas at different periods, down to the year 1827, the General Gov- 
ernment had recognized them as the owners of about one quarter of which is now the entire 
State. The same policy was pursued toward this tribe as with neighboring ones, in the purchase 
of their lands by the United States. Gradually they parted with their extensive possessions, until, 
in 1842, the last acre within what is now Wisconsin was disposed of. It was the intention of the 
General Government to remove the several bands of the Chippewas who had thus ceded their 
lands to a tract reserved for them beyond the Mississippi ; but this determination was afterward 
changed so as to allow them to remain upon certain reservations within the limits of their old- 
time hunting grounds. These reservations they continue to occupy. They are located in Bay- 
field, Ashland, Chippewa and Lincoln counties. The clans are known, respectively, as the Red 
Cliff band, the Bad River band, the Lac Courte Oreille band, and the Lac de Flambeau band. 

Of all the tribes inhabiting what is now Wisconsin when its territory was first visited by 
white men, the Sacs (Sauks or Saukies) and Foxes (Outagamies) are, in history, the most noted. 
They are of the Algonquin family, and are first mentioned in 1665, by Father Allouez, but as 
separate tribes. Afterward, however, because of the identity of their language, and their asso- 
ciations, they were and still are considered as one nation. In December, 1669, Allouez found 
upon the shores of Green bay a village of Sacs, occupied also by members of other tribes; and 
early in 1670 he visited a village of the same Indians located upon the Fox river of Green bay, 
at a distance of four leagues from its mouth. Here a device of these Indians for catching fish 
arrested the attention of the missionary. "From one side of the river to the other," he writes, 
"they made a barricade, planting great stakes, two fathoms from the water, in such a manner 
that there is, as it were, a bridge above for the fishes, who by the aid of a little bow-net, easily 
take sturgeons and all other kinds of fish which this pier stops, although the water does not 
cease to flow between the stakes." When the Jesuit father first obtained, five years previous, a 
knowledge of this tribe, they were represented as savage above all others, great in numbers, and 
witliout any permanent dwelling place. The Foxes were of two stocks: one calling themselves 
Outagamies or Foxes, whence our English name ; the other, Musqnakink, or men of red clay, 
the name now used by the tribe. They lived in early times with their kindred the Sacs east of 
Detroit, and as some say near the St. Lawrence. They were driven west, and settled at Saginaw, 
a name derived from the Sacs. Thence they were forced by the Iroquois to Green bay; but 
were compelled to leave that place and settle on Fox river. 

Allouez, on the twenty-fourth of .April, 1670, arrived at a village of the Foxes, situated on 
Wolf river, a northern tributary of the Fox. "The nation," he declares, "is renowned for 
being numerous ; they have more than four hundred men bearing arms ; the number of women 
and children is greater, on account of polygamy which exists among them — each man having 
commonly four wives, some of them six, and others as high as ten." The missionary found that 
the Foxes had retreated to those parts to escape the persecutions of the Iroquois. Allouez 
established among these Indians his mission of St. Mark, rejoicing in the fact that in less than 



28 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

two years he had baptized "sixty children and some adults." The Foxes, at the summons of De 
la Barre, in 1684, sent warriors against the Five Nations. They also took part in Denonville's 
more serious campaign ; but soon after became hostile to the French. As early as 169.3, they 
had plundered several on their way to trade with the Sioux, alleging that they were carrying arms 
and ammunition to their ancient enemies — frequently causing them to make portages to the 
southward in crossing from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. Afterward they became recon- 
ciled to the French; but the reconciliation was of short duration. In 1712, Fort Detroit, then 
defended by only a handful of men, was attacked by them in conjunction with the Mascou- 
tens and Kickapoos. However, in the end, by calling in friendly Indians, the garrison not only 
protected themselves but were enabled to act on the offensive, destroying the greater part of the 
besieging force. 

The nation continued their ill will to the French. The consequence was that their territory 
in 1 7 16 had been invaded and they were reduced to sue for peace. But their friendship was not 
of long continuance. In 17 18, the Foxes numbered five hundred men and "abounded in women 
and children." They are spoken of at that date as being very industrious, raising large quantities 
of Indian corn. In 17 28, another expedition was sent against them by the French. Meanwhile 
the Menomonees had also become hostile ; so, too, the Sacs, who were now the allies of the 
Foxes. The result of the enterprise was, an attack upon and the defeat of a number of 
Menomonees ; the burning of the wigwams of the Winnebagos (after passing the deserted village 
of the Sacs upon the Fox river), that tribe, also, at this date being hostile ; and the destruction 
of the fields of the Foxes. They were again attacked in their own country by the French, in 
1730, and defeated. In 1734, both the Sacs and Foxes came in conflict with the same foe; but 
this time the French were not as successful as on previous expeditions. In 1736, the Sacs and 
Foxes were "connected with the government of Canada; " but it is certain they were far from 
being friendly to the French. 

The conflict between France and Great Britain commencing in 1754, found the Sacs and 
Foxes allied with the former power, against the English, although not long previous to this time 
they were the bitter enemies of the French. At the close of that contest so disastrous to the 
interests of France in North America, these tribes readily gave in their adhesion to the con- 
querors, asking that English traders might be sent them. The two nations, then about equally 
divided, numbered, in 1761, about seven hundred warriors. Neither of the tribes took part in 
Pontiac's war, but they befriended the English. The Sacs had migrated farther to the west- 
ward ; but the Foxes — at least a portion of them^still remained upon the waters of the river of 
Green bay, which perpetuates their name. A few years later, however, and the former were 
occupants of the upper Wisconsin ; also, to a considerable distance below the portage, where 
their chief town was located. Further down the same stream was the upper village of the 
Foxes, while their lower one was situated near its month at the site of the present city of Prairie 
du Chien. At this date, 1766, the northern portion of what is now Wisconsin, including all that 
part watered by the streams flowing north into Lake Superior, was the home of the Chippewas. 
The country around nearly the whole of Green bay was the hunting ground of the Menomonees. 
The territory of Winnebago lake and Fox river was the seat of the Winnebagoes. The region 
of the Wisconsin river was the dwelling place of the Sacs and Foxes. 

During the war of the Revolution, the Sacs and Foxes continued the firm friends of the 
English. At the commencement of the nineteenth century, only a small part of their territory 
was included in what is now Wisconsin, and that was in the extreme southwest. In 1804, they 
ceded this to the United States ; so that they no longer were owners of any lands within this 
State. From that date, therefore, these allied tribes can not be considered as belonging to the 



PRE-TEEEITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 29 

Indian nations of AV'isconsin. A striking episode in their subsequent history — the Black Hawk 
War — comes in, notwithstanding, as a part, incidentally, of the annals of the State. 

Deserving a place in a notice of the Indian tribes of Wisconsin is the nation known as the 
PoTTAWATTAMiES. As early as 1639, they were the neighbors of the Winnebagoes upon Green 
bay. They were still upon its southern shore, in two villages, in 1670 ; and ten years subsequent 
to that date they occupied, at least in one village the same region. At the e.xpiration of the 
first quarter of the eighteenth century, a part only of the nation were in that vicinity — upon the 
islands at the mouth of tlie bay. These islands were then known as the Pottawattamie islands, 
and considered as the ancient abode of these Indians. Already had a large portion of this tribe 
emigrated southward, one band resting on the St. Joseph of Lake Michigan, the other near Detroit. 
One peculiarity of this tribe — at least of such as resided in what is now Wisconsin — was their 
intimate association with neighboring bands. When, in 1669, a village of the Pottawattamies, 
located upon the southeast shore of Green bay, was visited by Allouez, he found with them Sacs 
and Foxes and Winnebagoes. So, also, when, many years subsequent to that date, a band of 
these Indians were located at Milwaukee, with them were Ottawas and Chippewas. These 
"united tribes" claimed all the lands of their respective tribes and of other nations, giving the 
United States, when possession was taken of the western country by the General Government, 
no little trouble. Finally, by a treaty, held at Chicago in 1833, their claims, such as they were, 
to lands along the western shore of Lake Michigan, within the present State of Wisconsin, 
extending westward to Rock river, were purchased by the United States, with permission to 
retain possession three years longer of their ceded lands, after which time this " united nation 
of Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies " began to disappear, and soon were no longer seen in 
southeastern Wisconsin or in other portions of the State. 

Besides the five tribes — Menomonees, Winnebagoes, Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, and 
Pottawattamies — many others, whole or in part, have, since the territory now constituting the 
State was first visited by white men, been occupants of its territory. Of these, some are only 
known as having once lived in what is now Wisconsin; others — such as the Hurons, Illinois, 
Kickapoos, Mascoutens, Miamis, Noquets, Ottawas and Sioux, are recognized as Indians once 
dwelling in this region ; yet so transitory has been their occupation, or so little is known of their 
history, that they scarcely can be claimed as belonging to the State. 

Commencing in 1822, and continuing at intervals through some of the following years, was 
the migration to Wisconsm from the State of New York of the remains or portions of four tribes : 
the Oneidas, Stockbridges, Munsees and Brothertowns. The Oneidas finally located west of 
Green Bay, where they still reside. Their reservation contains over 60,000 acres, and lies 
wholly within the present counties of Brown and Outagamie. The Stockbridges and Munsees, 
who first located above Green Bay, on the east side of Fox river, afterward moved to the east 
side of Winnebago lake. They now occupy a reservation joining the southwest township of the 
Menomenee reservation, in Shawano county, and are fast becoming citizens. The Brothertowns 
first located on the east side of Fox river, but subsequently moved to the east side of Winnebago 
lake, where, in 1839, they broke up their tribal relations and became citizens of Wisconsin 
territory. 

III.— PRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 

When, in 1634, the first white man set foot upon any portion of the territory now consti- 
tuting the State of Wisconsin, the whole country was, of course, a wildei-ness. Its inhabitants, 
the aboriginal Red men, were thinly but widely scattered over all the country. Jean Nicolet, 
a Frenchman, who had been in Canada since 161 8, and had spent several years among the 



30 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Indians, was the first of civilized men to unlock the mystery of its situation and people. French 
authorities upon the St. Lawrence sent him as an ambassador to the Winnebagoes, of whom he 
had heard strange stories. On his outward voyage he visited the Hurons — allies of the French 
— a tribe seated upon the eastern side of the lake which bears their name, and Nicolet was 
empowered to negotiate a peace with them. '' When he approached the Winnebago town, he sent 
some of his Indian attendants to announce his coming, put on a robe of damask, and advanced 
to meet the expectant crowd with a pistol in each hand. The squaws and children fled, scream- 
ing that it was a manito, or spirit, armed with thunder and lightning ; but the chiefs and warriors 
regaled him with so bountiful a hospitality, that a hundred and twenty beavers were devoured at 
a single feast." Such was the advent of the daring Frenchman into what is now the State of 
Wisconsin. • 

" Upon the borders of Green bay," wrote the Jesuit, Paul le Jeune, in 1640, " are the Meno- 
monees; still farther on, the Winnebagoes, a sedentary people, and very numerous. Some 
Frenchmen," he continues, " call them the ' Nation of the Stinkards,' because the Algonquin 
word Winipeg signifies ' stinking water.' Now they thus call the water of the sea ; therefore, 
these people call themselves ' Winnebagoes,' because they came from the shores of a sea of which 
we have no knowledge ; consequently we must not call them the ' Nation of Stinkards,' but the 
' Nation of the Sea.' " From these Men of the Sea, Nicolet passed westward, ascended Fox 
river of Green Bay, until nigh the portage to the Wisconsin, down which stream he could have 
floated easily to the Mississippi, the "great water" of his guides, which he mistook for the 
sea. This adventurous Frenchman, when so near re-discovering the river which has given 
immortality to De Soto, turned his face to the eastward ; retraced his steps to Green bay, and 
finally returned in safety to Quebec. This was the first exploration of what is now Wisconsin — 
only fourteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims upon the wild shores of New England. 

Wisconsin, for twenty-four years after its discovery, was left to its savage inhabitants. At 
length, in 1658, two daring fur traders penetrated to Lake Superior, and wintered there. They 
probably set foot upon what is now Wisconsin soil, as they made several trips among the sur- 
rounding tribes. They saw, among other things, at six days' journey beyond the lake, toward 
the southwest, Indians that the Iroquois had driven from their homes upon the eastern shores of 
Lake Huron. These Frenchmen heard of the ferocious Sioux, and of a great river — not the sea, 
as Nicolet had supposed — on which they dwelt. This was the Mississippi ; and to these traders 
is the world indebted for a knowledge of its exist..nce ; as De Soto's discovery was never used, 
and soon became well-nigh, if not entirely, forgotten. From these upper countries, in the Sum- 
mer of 1660, the two returned to Quebec, with three hundred Indians in sixty canoes, laden with 
peltry. This was, indeed, the dawn — though exceedingly faint — of what is now the commerce of 
the great Northwest. Nineteen years after flashed a more brilliant light; for, in 1679, the 
"Griffin," laden with furs, left one of the islands at the mouth of Green bay, on its return — 
spreading her sails for Niagara, but never more to be heard of. 

Following in the footsteps of the fur traders came the Jesuit missionaries to Lake Superior • 
one of them. Father Menard, as early as 1660, reaching its southern shore as far to the westward, 
probably, as Kewenaw, in the present State of Michigan. There is no positive evidence, however 
that he or his French companions, visited any portion of what is now Wisconsin; although the next 
year, 1661, some of his associates probably passed down the Menomonee river to Green bay. 
Following Menard came Father Claude AUouez, arriving on the first day of October, 1665, at 
" Chagowamigong," or " Chegoimegon," now Chequamegon, or Ashland Bay, " at the bottom of 
which," wrote the missionary, " is situated the great villages of the savages, who there plant their 
fields of Indian corn, and lead a stationary life." Near by he erected a small chapel of bark — the 



PRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 31 

first structure erected by civilized man in Wisconsin. At La Pointe, in the present Ashland 
county, he established the mission of the Holy Ghost. 

The next Catholic mission in what is now Wisconsin was that of St. Francis Xavier, founded 
also by AUouez. Upon the second of December, 1669, he first attended to his priestly devotions 
upon the waters of Green bay. This mission, for the first two years of its existence, was a 
migratory one. The surrounding tribes were all visited, including the Pottawattamies, Menom- 
onees, Winnebagoes, and Sacs and Foxes. However, in i67i,one hundred and five years before 
the Declaration of Independence, there was erected, at what is now Depere, Brown county, a 
chapel for the mission of St. Francis Xavier. Thus early did the Jesuit Fathers, in their plain 
garbs and unarmed, carry the cross to many of the benighted heathen occupying the country 
circumscribed by Lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior, and the "great river" — the Mississippi. 

French domination in Wisconsin dates from the year 167 1, the very year in which it seems 
the indomitable LaSalle, upon his first expedition, passed the mouth of Green bay, but did not 
enter it. France then took formal possession of the whole of the country of the upper lakes. 
By this time, the commerce with the western tribes had so attached them to her interests that 
she determined to extend her power to the utmost limits— vague and indeterminate as they 
were — of Canada. An agent — Daumont de St. Lusson — was dispatched to the distant tribes, 
proposing a congress of Indian nations at the Falls of Ste. Mary, between Lake Huron and Lake 
Superior. The invitation was extended far and near. The principal chiefs of Wisconsin tribes, 
gathered by Nicolas Perrot in Green bay, were present at the meeting. Then and there, with 
due ceremony, it was announced that the great Northwest was placed under the protection of 
the French government. And why not .' She had discovered it — had to a certain extent 
explored it — had to a limited extent established commerce with it — and her missionaries had 
proclaimed the faith to the wondering savages. But none of her agents — none of the fur- 
traders — none of the missionaries — had yet reached the Mississippi, the " great river," concerning 
which so many marvels had been heard, although it is claimed that, in 1669, it had been seen 
by the intrepid La Salle. But the time for its discovery, or properly re-discovery, was at hand, if, 
indeed, it can be called, with propriety, a re-discovery, since its existence to the westward was 
already known to every white man particularly interested in matters appertaining to the North- 
west. Now, however, for the first time, its upper half was to be, to a certain extent, explored. 
For the first time, a white man was to behold its vast tribute, above the Illinois river, rolling 
onward toward the Mexican gulf. Who was that man ? His name was Louis Joliet ; with him 
was Father James Marquette. 

Born at Quebec, in 1645, educated by the Jesuits, and first resolving to be a priest, then 
turning fur-trader, Joliet had, finally, been sent with an associate to explore the copper mines of 
Lake Superior. He was a man of close and intelligent observation, and possessed considerable 
mathematical acquirements. At this time, 1673, he was a merchant, courageous, hardy, enter- 
prising. He was appointed by French authorities at Quebec to " discover " the Mississippi. He 
passed up the lakes to Mackinaw, and found at Point St. Ignace, on the north side of the strait, 
Father James Marquette, who readily agreed to accompany him. Their outfit was very simple : 
two birch-bark canoes and a supply of smoked meat and Indian corn. They had a company of 
five men with them, beginning their voyage on the seventeenth of May, 1673. Passing the straits, 
they coasted the northern shores of Lake Michigan, moved up Green bay and Fox river to the 
portage. They crossed to the Wisconsin, down which they paddled their frail canoes, until, on 
the seventeenth of June, they entered — "discovered" — the Mississippi. So the northern, the 
eastern and the western boundary of what is now Wisconsin had been reached at this date ; 
therefore, it may be said that its territory had been explored sufficiently for the forming of a 



32 HISTORY OF WI8C0XSIX. 

pretty correct idea of its general features as well as of its savage inhabitants. After dropping 
down the Mississippi many miles, Joliet and Marquette returned to Green bay, where the latter 
remained to recruit his exhausted strength, while Joliet descended to Quebec, to report his 
"discoveries" to his superiors. 

Then followed the expedition of LaSalle to the west, from the St. Lawrence, when, in 1679, 
he and Father Louis Hennepin coasted along the western shore of Lake Michigan, frequently 
landing ; then, the return of Henri de Tonty, one of LaSalle's party down the same coast to Green 
bay, in 1680, from the Illinois; the return, also, the same year, of Hennepin, from up the Mis- 
sissippi, whither he had made his way from the Illinois, across what is now Wisconsin, by the 
Wisconsin and Fox rivers to Green bay, in company with DuLhut, or DuLuth, who, on his way 
down the " great river " from Lake Superior, had met the friar ; and then, the voyage, in 1683, from 
Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river, by the same route, of LeSueur, and his subsequent 
establishment at La Pointe, in what is now Ashland county, Wisconsin, followed several years 
after by a trip up the Mississippi. The act of Daumont de St. Lusson, at the Sault Sainte Mary, 
in 167 1, in taking possession of the country beyond Lake Michigan, not being regarded as suffi- 
ciently definite, Nicolas Perrot, in 1689, at Green bay, again took possession of that territory, as 
well as of the valleys of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and extending the dominion of New 
France over the country on the Upper Mississippi, and "to other places more remote." The 
voyage of St. Cosme, in 1699, when he and his companions frequently landed on the west coast 
of Lake Michigan, upon what is now territory of Wisconsin, completed the explorations in the 
west for the seventeenth century. 

Following in the footsteps of early explorations, of self sacrificing attempts of the Jesuits to 
carry the cross to the wild tribes of the West, of the first visits of the lawless cotircurs de bois, 
was the military occupation — if such it can be called — of what is now Wisconsin by the French. 
The ninety years of domination by France in tiiis region were years of only nominal possession. 
The record of this occupation is made u[) of facts concerning the Indian policy of the French 
rulers; their contests with the Sacs and Foxes; their treaties, at various times, with different 
tribes ; their interest m, and protection of, the fur trade , and kindred subjects. The Indian 
tribes were, at most, only the allies of France. Posts — mere stockades without cannon, more for 
protection to fur-traders than for any other purpose — were erected upon the Mississippi at two 
points at least, upon what is now territory of Wisconsin. On the west side of Fox river of 
Green bay, "half a league from its mouth," was a French post, as early as 1721, where resided, 
besides the commandant and an uncouth squad of soldiers, a Jesuit missionary ; and near by 
were collected Indians of different tribes. Of course, the omnipresent fur-trader helped to 
augment the sum-total of its occupants. This post was, not long after, destroyed, but another 
was established there. When, however, France yielded her inchoate rights in the West to Great 
Britain — when, in 1761, the latter took possession of the country — there was not a French post 
within wliat is now Wisconsin. The " fort " near the head of' Green bay, had been vacated for 
some years; it was found "rotten, the stockade ready to fall, and the houses without cover;" 
emblematic of the decay — the fast-crumbling and perishing state — of French supremacy, at that 
date, in America. Wisconsin, when England's control began, was little better than a howling 
wilderness. There was not within the broad limits of what is now the State, a single /wm fide 
settler, at the time the French Government yielded up its possession to the English; that is to 
say, there were none according to the present acceptation of the term "settler." 

The military occupation of Wisconsin by the British, after the Seven Years' War, was a brief 
one. La Bay — as the post at what is now the city of Fort Howard, Brown county, was called — 
was, on the twelfth of October, 1761, taken possession of by English troops, under Captain 
Belfour, of the Eightieth regiment. Two days after, that officer departed, leaving Lieutenant 



PRE-TEKRITORIAL AXXALS OF WISCONSIN. 33 

James Gorrell, in command, with one sergeant, one corporal and fifteen privates. There also 
remained at the post a French interpreter and two English traders. The name of the fortifica- 
tion was changed to Fort Edward Augustus. This post was abandoned by the commandant on 
the twenty-first of June, 1763, on account of the breaking out of Pontiac's A\'ar and the capture 
of the fort at Mackinaw by the savages. The cause of this war was this : The Indian tribes 
saw the danger which the downfall of the French interests in Canada was sure to bring to them. 
They banded together under Pontiac to avert their ruin. The struggle was short but fierce — 
full of " scenes of tragic interest, with marvels of suffering and vicissitude, of heroism and endur- 
ance;" but tlie white man conquered. The moving incidents in this bloody drama were enacted 
to the eastward of what is now Wisconsin, coming no nearer than Mackinaw, which, as just 
mentioned, the -savages captured; but it resulted in the evacuation of its territory by British 
troops, who never after took posses?ion of it, though they continued until 1796 a nominal 
military rule over it, after Mackinaw was again occupied by them. 

An early French Canadian trading station at the head of Green bay assumed finally the 
tbrm of a permanent settlement — the first one in Wisconsin. To claim, however that any 
French Canadian is entitled to the honor of being the first permanent white settler is assuming 
for him more than the facts seem to warrant. The title of " The Father and Founder of Wis- 
consin " belongs to no man. 

After Pontiac's War, one of the noted events in this region was the journey of Jonathan 
Carver, who, in 1766, passed up Fo.\ river to the portage, and descended the Wisconsin to the 
Mississippi. He noticed the tumbling-down post at what is now Green Bay, Brown county. 
He saw a few families living in the fort, and some French settlers, who cultivated the land 
opposite, and appeared to live very comfortably. That was the whole extent of improvements 
in what is now Wisconsin. The organization of the Northwest. Fur Company ; the passage of 
an act by the British Parliament by wJiich the whole Northwest was included in the Province of 
Quebec ; the joining of the Indians in this region with the British, against the Americans, in the 
War of the Revolution; the exploration of the lead region of the Upper Mississippi by Julian 
Dubuque; the passage of the ordinance of 1787 ; the first settlement of the territory northwest 
of the River Ohio; and the Indian war which followed, are all incidents, during British occu- 
pation, of more or less interest for the student of Wisconsin history. He will find that, by the 
treaty of 1783 and of 1795, ^^'tli Great Britain, all the inhabitants residing in this region were to 
be protected by the United States in the full and peaceable possession of their i:)roperty, with the 
right to remain in, or to withdraw from it, with their effects, within one year. All who did not 
leave were to be deemed American citizens, allowed to enjoy all the privileges of citizenship, and 
to be under the protection of the General Government. He will also find that less than two 
years was the whole time of actual military occupation of what is now Wisconsin by British 
soldiers, and that English domination, which should have ended at the close of the Revolu- 
tion, was arbitrarily continued until the Summer of 1796, when the western posts, none of which 
were upon territory circumscribed by Lakes Michigan and Superior and the Mississippi river, 
were delivered into the keeping of the United States. Thus the supremacy of Great Britain ovej 
the Northwest was, after an actual continuance of thirty-five years, at an end. 

Although the General Government did not get possession of the region northwest of the Ohio, 
throughout its full extent, for thirteen years subsequent to its acquirement by the treaty of peace 
of 1783 with Great Britain, nevertheless, steps were taken, very soon, to obtain concessions from 
such of the colonies as had declared an ownership in any portion of it. None of the claimants, 
seemingly, had better rights than Virginia, who, by virtue of conquests, largely her own, of the 
Illinois settlements and posts, extended her jurisdiction over that country, erecting into a county 



84 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

so much of the region northwest of the Ohio, as had been settled by Virginians or might after- 
ward be settled by them. But as, previous to her yielding all rights to territory beyond that 
river, she had not carried her arms into the region north of the Illinois or made settlements upon 
what is now the soil of Wisconsin, nor included any portion of it within the bounds of an organ- 
ized county, it follows that her dominion was not actually extended over any part of the area 
included within the present boundaries of this State ; nor did she then claim jurisdiction north 
of the Illinois river, but on the other hand expressly disclaimed it. 

Virginia and all the other claimants finally ceded to the United States their rights, such as 
they were, beyond the Ohio, except two reservations of limited extent ; and the General Govern- 
ment became the undisputed owner of the "Great West," without any internal claims to posses- 
sion save those of the Indians. Meanwhile, the United States took measures to extend its juris- 
diction over the whole country by the passage of the famous ordinance of 1787, which established 
a government over "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio." But this 
organic law was, of course, nugatory over that portion of the region occupied by the British, 
until their yielding possession in 1796, when, for tlje first time, Anglo-American rule commenced, 
though nominally, in what is now Wisconsin. By the ordinance just mentioned, "the United 
States, in congress assembled," declared that the territory northwest of the Ohio should, for the 
purposes of temporary government, be one district , subject, however, to be divided into districts, 
as future circumstances might, in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient. It was ordained 
that a governor, secretary and three judges should be appointed for the Territory; a general 
assembly was also provided for; and it was declared that religion, morality, and knowledge, 
being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of 
education should forever be encouraged. It was also ordained that there should be neither 
slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said Territory, " otherwise than in the punishment of 
crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." Thus was established the first Magna 
Charta for the five great States since that time formed out of " the territory northwest of the 
River Ohio," and the first rules and regulations for their government. 

Under this act of Congress, Arthur St. Clair was appointed governor of the Northwestern 
Territory, as it was called, and Samuel H. Parsons, James M. Varnum, and John Armstrong, 
judges, — the latter not accepting the office, John Cleves Syraraes was appointed in his place. 
Winthrop Sargeant was appointed secretary. At different periods, counties were erected to 
include various portions of the Territory. By the governor's proclamation of the 15th of 
August, 1796, one was formed to include the whole of the present area of Northern Ohio, west of 
Cleveland ; also, all of what is now the State of Indiana, north of a line drawn from Fort Wayne 
" west-northerly to the southern part of Lake Michigan ; " the whole of the present State of 
Michigan, except its extreme northwest corner on Lake Superior ; a small corner in the north- 
east, part of what is now Illinois, including Chicago ; and so much of the present State of Wis- 
consin as is watered by the streams flowing into Lake Michigan, which of course included an 
extensive portion, taking in many of its eastern and interior counties as now constituted. This 
vast county was named Wayne. So the few settlers then at the head of Green bay had their 
local habitations, constructively at least, in "Wayne county. Northwestern Territory." It was 
just at that date that Great Britain vacated the western posts, and the United States took quiet 
possession of them. But the western portion of what is now Wisconsin, including all its territory 
watered by streams flowing northward into Lake Superior, and westward and southwestward into 
the Mississippi, was as yet without any county organization ; as the county of St. Clair, including 
the Illinois country to the southward, reached no farther north than the mouth of Little Macki- 
naw creek, where it empties into the River Illinois, in what is now the State of Illinois. The 



PRE-TERRITORIAL ANXALS OF WISCONSIN. 35 

" law of Paris," which was in force under French domination in Canada, and which by the 
British Parliament in 1774, had been continued in force under English supremacy, was still " the 
law of the land " west of Lake Michigan, practically at least. 

From and after the fourth day of July, 1800, all that part of the territory of the United 
States northwest of the Ohio river, which lay to the westward of a line beginning upon that 
stream opposite to the mouth of Kentucky river and running thence to what is now Fort 
Recovery in Mercer county, Ohio ; thence north until it intersected the territorial line between 
the United States and Canada, was, for the purposes of temporary government, constituted a 
separate territory called Indiana. It included not only the whole of the present State of Illinois 
and nearly all of what is now Indiana, but more than half of the State of Michigan as now 
defined, also a considerable part of the present Minnesota, and the whole of what is now Wis- 
consin. 

The seat of government was established at "Saint Vincennes on the Wabash," now the city 
of Vincennes, Indiana. To this extensive area was added "from and after" the admission of 
Ohio into the Union, all the territory west of that State, and east of the eastern boundary line of 
the Territory of Indiana as originally established ; so that now all " the territory of the United 
States, northwest of the River Ohio," was, excepting the State of Ohio, included in Indiana Ter- 
ritory. On the thirtieth day of June, 1805, so much of Indiana Territory as lay to the north of 
a line drawn east from the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, and east 
of a line drawn from the same bend through the middle of the first mentioned lake to its north- 
ern extremity, and thence due north to the northern boundary of the United States, was, for the 
purpose of temporary government, constituted a separate Territory called Michigan. Of course 
no part of the present State of Wisconsin was included therein ; but the whole remained in the 
Territory of Indiana until the second day of March, 1809, when all that part of the last men- 
tioned Territory which lay west of the Wabash river, and a direct line drawn from that stream 
and " Post Vincennes," due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada, 
was, by an act approved on the third of February previous, constituted a separate Territory, called 
Illinois. Meanwhile jurisdiction had been extended by the authorities of Indiana Territory 
over the country lying west of Lake Michigan, to the extent, at least, of appointing a justice of 
the peace for each of the settlements of Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. All of what is now 
Wisconsin was transferred to the Territory of Illinois, upon the organization of the latter, except 
a small portion lying east of the meridian line drawn through Vincennes, which remained a part 
of Indiana Territory. This fraction included nearly the whole area between Green bay and 
Lake Michigan. 

When, in 1816, Indiana became a State, "the territory of the United States northwest of the 
River Ohio," contained, besides Ohio and Indiana, the Territories of Illinois and Michigan, only ; 
so the narrow strip, formerly a part of Indiana Territory, lying east of a line drawn due north 
from Vincennes, and west of the western boundary line of Michigan Territory, belonged to nei- 
ther, and was left without any organization. However, upon the admission of Illinois into the 
Union, in 1818, all "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio," lying west 
of Michigan Territory and north of the States of Indiana and Illinois, was attached to and made 
a part of Michigan Territory ; by which act the whole of the present State of Wisconsin came 
under the jurisdiction of the latter. During the existence of the Territory of Illinois, a kind of 
jurisdiction was had over the two settlements in what is now Wisconsin — rather more ideal than 
real, however. 

In 1834, Congress greatly increased the limits of the Territory of Michigan, by adding to it, 
for judicial purposes, a large extent of country west of the Mississippi — reaching south as far as 



86 IIISTOKY (1F WISCOXSIX. 

the present liounil.iry line between tlie present States of Iowa and Missouri; north, to the terri- 
torial line between the I'nited States and Canada; and west, to the Missouri and White Earth 
rivers. It so continued down to the fourth of Jul)', 1836. 

A retrospective glance at the history of this region for forty years previous to the last men- 
tioned year, including the time which elapsed after the surrender of the western posts, in 1796, 
by the British, discloses many facts of interest and importance. 

The Anglo-Americans, not long after the region of country west of Lake Michigan became 
a part of Indiana Territory, began now and then to cast an eye, either through the opening of 
the Great Lakes or the Mississippi, upon its rolling rivers, its outspread prairies, and its dense 
forests, and to covet the goodly land ; but the settlers at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien were 
mostly French Can,idians at this date, although a few were Americans. The General Govern- 
ment, however, began to take measures preparatory to its occupation, by purch.asing, in 1S04, a 
tract in what is now the southwest portion of the State, of the Indians, and by holding the various 
tribes to a strict account for any murders committed by them on American citizens passing 
through their territories or trading with them. Comparative peace reigned in the incipient settle- 
ments at the head of Green b.iy and at the mouth of the Wisconsin, which was changed by the 
breaking out of the war of iSia, with Great Britain. 

The English early succeeded in securing the Wisconsin Indian tribes as their allies in this 
war; and the taking of Mackinaw by the British in July, iSi;, virtually put the latter in posses- 
sion of what is now the eastern portion of the State. Early in 1S14, the government authorities 
of the United States caused to be fitted out at St. Louis a large boat, having on board all the 
men that could be mustered and spared from the lower countryVand sent up the Mississippi to 
protect the upper region and the few settlers therein. The troo^is landed at Prairie du Chien, 
and immediately proceeded to fortify. Not long after, Colonel McKay, of the British army, 
cro.'ssing the country by course of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, with over five hundred British 
and Indians, received the surrender of the whole force. The officers and men were paroled and 
sent down the river. This was the only battle fought upon Wisconsin soil during the last war 
with England. The pdst at Prairie du Chien was left in command of a captain with two compa- 
nies from NLtckinaw. He remained there until after the peace of 1815, when the place was 
evacuatet.1 by the British. 

When it became generally known to the Indian tribes in what is now Wisconsin, that the 
contest l^tween the United St.ues and Great Britain was at an end, they generally expressed 
themselves as ready and willing to make treaties with the General Government — eager, in tact, 
to establish friendly relations with the power they had so recently been hostile to. This was, 
therefore, a tavorable moment for t.xking actual possession of the country between the Missis- 
sippi and L;ike Michigan ; and United States troops were soon ordered to occupy the two prom- 
inent points between Green Bay .and Prairie du Chien. At the former place was erected Fort 
Howard; at the Litter Fort Crawford. At Green Bay, half a hundred (or less) French Cana- 
dians cultivated the soil; at Prairie du Chien, there were not more than thirty houses, mostly 
occupied by traders, while on the pr.xirie outside the village, a number of forms were cultivated. 
Such was Wisconsin when, at the close of the List war with Great Britain, it began in earnest to 
be occupied by Americans. The latter were few in number, but in iStS, they began to feel, now 
th.it the countr>- was att.iched to Michigan Territory and the laws of the L'nited States were 
extended over them, that they were not altogether beyond the prvJteciion of a government of their 
own, notwithstanding they were surrounded by savage tribes. Their happiness was increased 
upon the erection, by proclamation of Lewis Cass, governor of the Territor\- of Michigan, of 
three Territorial counties: Michilimackin.ic Brown .ind Crawford. Their establishment dates 



PRE-TERUITORIAL AXXALS OF AVISCOXSIN. 37 

the twenty-sixth of October, 1818. The county of Michiliniackinac not only included all of tlie 
present State of Wisconsin lying north of a line drawn due west from near the head of the Little 
Noquet bay, but territory east and west of it, so as to reach from Lake Huron to the Missis- 
sippi river. Its county seat was established "at the Borough of Michiiimackinac." The whole 
area in Michigan Territory south of the county of Michiiimackinac and west of Lake Michigan 
formed the two counties of lirown and Crawford: the former to include the area east of a line 
drawn due north and south through the middle of the portage between the Fox river of Green 
bay and the Wisconsin ; the latti'r to include the whole region west of that line. Prairie du 
Chien was designated as the county seat of Crawford; Green Bay, of Brown county. On the 
22(1 of December, 1826, a county named Chippewa was formed from the northern portions of 
Michiiimackinac, including the southern shores of Lake Superior throughout its entire length, 
and extending from the straits leading from that lake into Lake Huron, west to the western 
boundary line of Michigan Territory, with the county seat "at such point in the vicinity of the 
Sault de Ste. Marie, as a majority of the county commissioners to be appointed shall designate." 
Embraced within this county, — its southern boundary being the parallel 46^31' north latitude, — 
was all the territory of the present State of Wisconsin now bordering on Lake Superior. 

Immediately upon the erection of Brown and Crawford counties, they were organized, and 
their offices filled liy appointment of the governor. County courts were established, consisting 
of one chief and two associate justices, either of whom formed a quorum. They were required 
to hold one term of court annually in their respective counties. These county courts had origi- 
nal and exclusive jurisdiction in all civil cases, both in law and equity, where the matter in dis- 
pute exceeded the jurisdiction of a justice of the peace, and did not exceed tlie value of one 
thousand dollars. They had, however, no jurisdiction in ejectment. They had exclusive cog- 
nizance of all offenses the punishment whereof was not capital, and the same power to issue 
remedial and other process, writs of error and mandamus excepted, that the supreme court had 
at Detroit. Appeals from justices of the peace were made to the county courts. 

The establishing of Indian agencies by the General Government ; the holding of treaties 
with some of the Indian tribes; the adjustment of land claims at Green Bay and Prairie du 
Chien ; the appointment of postmasters at these two points, were all indications of a proper 
interest being taken by the United States in the affairs of the country. But a drawback to this 
region, was the fact that, in all civil cases of over a thousand dollars, and in criminal cases that 
were capital, as well as in actions of ejectment, and in the allowance of writs of error, and man- 
damus, recourse must be had to the supreme court at Detroit; the latter place being the seat of 
government of Michigan Territory. However, in January, 1823, an act of congress provided 
for a district court, and for the appointment of a judge, for the counties of Brown, Crawford, 
and Michiiimackinac. This court had concurrent jurisdiction, civil and criminal, with the 
supreme court of the Territory, in most cases, subject, however, to have its decisions taken to the 
latter tribunal by a writ of error. The law provided for holding one term of court in each year, 
in each of the counties named in the act ; so, at last, there was to be an administration of justice 
at home, and the people were to be relieved from all military arbitrations, which frequently had 
been imposed upon them. James Duane Doty was appointed judge of this court at its organiza- 
tion. A May term of the court was held in Prairie du Chien; a June term in Green Bay; a 
July term in " the Borough of Michiiimackinac," in each year. In 1824, Henry S. Baird, of 
Brown county, was appointed district attorney. Doty held the office of judge until May, 1832, 
when he was succeeded by David Irvin. This court continued until 1S36, when it was abrogated 
by the organization of the Territory of Wisconsin. 

For a long time it had been known that there were lead mines in what is now the south- 



38 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIN. 

western portion of the State; but it was not until the year 1825, and the two following years, that 
very general attention was attracted to them, which eventuated in the settlement of different 
places in that region, by Americans, who came to dig for lead ore. This rapid increase of 
settlers awakened the jealousy of the Winnebago Indians, at what they deemed an unauthorized 
intrusion upon their lands, which, with other causes operating unfavorably upon their minds, 
aroused them in June, 1S27, to open acts of hostility. Murders became frequent. Finally, the 
militia of Prairie du Chien were called out. On the twenty-ninth of August, Brigadier-General 
Henry Atkinson, of the United States army, with a strong force of regulars, ascended the Wis- 
consin river to put an end to any further spread of Winnebago disturbances. He was joined on 
the first of September, by one hundred and thirty Galena volunteers, mounted, and under com- 
mand of General Henry Dodge. The Winnebagoes were awed into submission. Thus ended 
the " Winnebago War." It was followed by the erection at the portage of Fort Winnebago, by 
the United States. 

.A.fter the restoration of tranquillity, the United States proceeded by treaty with the Indians, 
to secure the right to occupy the lead regions. This was in 1828. The next year, the General 
Government purchased of the Winnebagoes, Southwestern Wisconsin, which put an end to all 
trouble on account of mining operations. On the ninth of October, 1829, a county was formed, 
by the legislative council of the Territory of Michigan, comprising all that part of Crawford 
county lying south of the Wisconsin river. This new county was called Iowa. The county 
seat was temporarily established at Mineral Point. Following this was a treaty in 1831, with the 
Menomonees, for all their lands east of Green bay, Winnebago lake, and the Fox and Milwaukee 
rivers. 

There was now a crisis at hand. The most prominent event to be recorded in the pre-Ter- 
ritorial annals of Wisconsin is known as the Black Hawk War. This conflict of arms between 
the Sacs and Foxes and the United States arose from a controversy in regard to lands. By a 
treaty made at Fort Harmar, just across the River Muskingum from Marietta, Ohio, in January, 
1789, the Pottawattamie and Sac tribes of Indians, among others, were received into the friend- 
ship of the General Government, and a league of peace and unity established between the con- 
tracting parties On the third of November, 1804, a treaty at St. Louis stipulated that the 
united Sac and Fox tribes should be received into the friendship of the United States, and also 
be placed under their protection. These tribes also agreed to consider themselves under the pro- 
tection of the General Government and of no other power whatsoever. .\t this treaty lands were 
ceded which were circumscribed by a boundary beginning at a point on the Missouri river 
opposite the mouth of the Gasconade, and running thence in a direct course so as to strike the 
River Jefferson at the distance of thirty miles from its mouth, and down that stream to the Missis- 
sippi. It then ran up the latter river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, and up that stream to a 
point thirty-six miles in a direct line from its mouth ; thence by a straight ' course to a point 
where the Fox river of the Illinois leaves the small lake then called Sakaegan, and from that 
point down the Fox to the Illinois, and down the latter to the Mississippi. The consideration for 
this cession was the payment of goods to the value of two thousand two hundred and thirty-four 
dollars and fifty cents, and a yearly annuity of one thousand dollars — -six hundred to be paid to 
the Sacs and four hundred to the Foxes — to be liquidated in goods valued at first cost. After- 
ward, Fort Madison was erected just above the Des Moines rapids in the Mississippi, on the ter- 
ritory ceded at the last mentioned treaty. Then followed the war with Great Britain, and the 
Sacs and Foxes agreed to take no part therein. However, a portion afterward joined the 
English against the Americans along with other Western tribes. At the restoration of peace the 
Sacs and Foxes held treaties with the United States. There was a renewal of the treaty of 1804. 



PRE-TERRITOEIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 39 

Such in brief is a general outline of affairs, so far as those two tribes were concerned, down to the 
close of the last war with England. From this time, to the year 1830, several additional treaties 
were made with the Sacs and Foxes by the General Government: one in i822,by which they relin- 
quished their right to have the United States establish a trading house or factory at a convenient 
point at which the Indians could trade and save themselves from the imposition of traders, for 
which they were paid the sum of one thousand dollars in merchandise. Again, in 1824, they 
sold to the General Government all their lands in Missouri, north of Missouri river, for which 
they received one thousand dollars the same year, and an annuity of one thousand dollars for ten 
years. In 1830, they ceded to the United States a strip of land twenty miles wide from the Mis- 
sissippi to the Des Moines, on the north side of their territory. The time had now come for the 
two tribes to leave the eastern shore of the Mississippi and retire across the " great water." 
Keokuk, the Watchful Fox, erected his wigwam on the west side of the river, and was followed 
by a large part of the two tribes. But a band headed by Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or the 
Black Sparrow Hawk, commonly called Black Hawk, refused to leave their village near Rock 
Island. They contended that they had not sold their town to the United States ; and, upon 
their return early in 183 1, from a hunt across the Mississippi, finding their village and fields in 
possession of the whites, they determined to repossess their homes at all hazards. This was 
looked upon, or called, an encroachment by the settlers ; so the governor of Illinois took the 
responsibility of declaring the State invaded, and asked the United States to drive the refractory 
Indians beyond the Mississippi. The result was, the Indian village was destroyed by Illinois 
volunteers. This and the threatened advance across the river by the United States commander, 
brought Black Hawk and his followers to terms. They sued for peace — agreeing to remain 
forever on the west side of the Mississippi. But this truce was of short duration. 

Early in the Spring of 1832, Black Hawk having assembled his forces on the Mississippi, in 
the vicinity of the locality where Fort Madison had stood, crossed that stream and ascended 
Rock river.' This was the signal for war. The governor of Illinois made a call for volunteers; 
and, in a brief space of time, eighteen hundred had assembled at Beardstown, Cass county. 
They marched for the mouth of Rock river, where a council of war was held by their officers 
and Brigadier-General Henry Atkinson, of the regular forces. The Indians were sent word by 
General Atkinson that they must return and recross the Mississippi, or they would be driven 
back by force. " If you wish to fight us, come on," was the laconic but defiant reply of the Sac 
chief. When the attempt was made to compel these Indians to go back across the "great river," 
a collision occurred between the Illinois militia and Black Hawk's braves, resulting in the dis- 
comfiture of the former with the loss of eleven men. Soon afterward the volunteers were dis- 
charged, and the first campaign of Black Hawk's War was at an. end. This was in May, 1832. 

In June following, a new force had been raised and put under the command of General 
Atkinson, who commenced his march up Rock river. Before this, there had been a general 
"forting" in the lead region, including the whole country in Southwest Wisconsin, notwithstand- 
ing which, a number of settlers had been killed by the savages, mostly in Illinois. Squads of 
volunteers, in two or three instances, had encountered the Indians; and in one with entire suc- 
cess — upon the Pecatonica, in what is now Lafayette county, Wisconsin — every savage (and 
there were seventeen of them) being killed. The loss of the volunteers was three killed and 
wounded. Atkinson's march up Rock river was attended with some skirmishing; when, being 
informed that Black Hawk and his force were at Lake Koshkonong, in the southwest corner of 
what is now Jefferson county, Wisconsin, he immediately moved thither with a portion of his 
army, where the whole force was ordered to concentrate. But the Sac chief with his people had 
flown. Colonels Henry Dodge and James D. Henry, with the forces under them, discovered the 



40 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

trail of the savages, leading in the direction of the Wisconsin river. It was evident that the 
retreating force was large, and that it had but recently passed. The pursuing troops hastened 
their march. On the twenty-first of July, 1832, they arrived at the hills which skirt the left bank 
of that stream, in what is now Roxbury town (township), Dane county. Here was Black 
Hawk's whole force, including women and children, the aged and infirm, hastening by every 
effort to escape across the river. But that this might now be effected, it became necessary for 
that chief to make a firm stand, to cover the retreat. The Indians were in the bottom lands 
when the pursuing whites made their appearance upon the heights in their rear. Colonel Dodge 
occupied the front and sustained the first attack of the Indians. He was soon joined by Henry 
with his force, when they obtained a complete victory. The action commenced about five 
o'clock in the afternoon and ended at sunset. The enemy, numbering not less than five hundred, 
sustained a loss of about sixty killed and a large number wounded. The loss of the Americans 
was one killed and eight wounded. This conflict has since been known as the battle of Wis- 
consin Heights. 

During the night following the battle, Black Hawk made his escape with his remaining force 
and people down the Wisconsin river. The women and children made their way down stream 
in canoes, while the warriors marched on foot along the shore. The Indians were pursued in 
their flight, and were finally brought to a stand on the Mississippi river, near the mouth of the 
Bad Axe, on the west boundary of what is now Vernon county, Wisconsin. About two o'clock 
on the morning of the second of August, the line of march began to the scene of the last con- 
flict in the Black Hawk War. Dodge's command formed the advance, supported by regular 
troops, under Colonel Zachary Taylor, afterward president of the United States. Meanwhile an 
armed steamboat had moved up the Mississippi and lay in front of the savages ; so they were 
attacked on all sides by the exasperated Americans. The battle lasted about two hours, and 
was a complete victory for the whites. Black Hawk fled, but was soon after captured. This 
ended the war. 

The survey of public lands by the General Government; the locating and opening of land 
ofiices at Mineral Point and Green Bay; the erection of Milwaukee county from a part of 
Brown, to include all the territory bounded on the east and south by the east and south lines of 
the present State, on the north by what is non- the north boundary of Washington and Ozaukee 
counties and farther westward on the north line of township numbered twelve, and on the west 
by the dividing line between ranges eight and nine ; and the changing of the eastern boundary 
of Iowa county to correspond with the western one of Milwaukee county; — are some of the 
important events following the close of the Black Hawk war. There was an immediate and 
rapid increase of immigration, not only in the mining region but in various other parts of what 
is now Wisconsin, more especially in that portion bordering on Lake Michigan. The interior 
was yet sparsely settled. By the act of June 28, 1834, congress having attached to the Territory 
of Michigan, for judicial purposes, all the country "west of the Mississippi river, and north of 
the State of Missouri," comprising the whole of what is now the State of Iowa, all of the present 
State of Minnesota west of the Mississippi river, and more than half of what is now the Terri- 
tory of Dakota, the legislative council of Michigan Territory extended her laws over the whole 
area, dividing it on the 6th of September, 1834, by a line drawn due west from the lower end of 
Rock island to the Missouri river into two counties : the country south of that line constituting 
the county of Des Moines; north of the line, to be known as the county of' Dubuque. This 
whole region west of the Mississippi was known as the Iowa district. Immediately after the 
treaty of 1832 with the Sacs and Foxes, the United States having come into ownership of a large 
tract in this district, several families crossed the Mississippi, and settled on the purchase, but as 



WISCOXSIK TEREITORY. 41 

the time provided for the Indians to give possession was the first of June, 1833, these settlers 
were dispossessed by order of the General Government. So soon, however, as the Indians yielded 
possession, settlements began, but, from the date just mentioned until September, 1S34, after the 
district was attached, for judicial purposes, to Michigan Territory, it was without any municijial 
law whatever. The organization of the counties of Dubuque and Des Moines on the sixtli of 
that month, secured, of course a regular administration of justice. In 1835, in order to facili- 
tate intercourse between the two remote military posts of Fort Howard at Green Bay, and Fort 
Crawford at Prairie du Chien, a military road was commenced to connect the two points ; so, 
one improvement followed another. On the 9th of January, 1836, a session (the first one) of 
the seventh legislative council of Michigan Territory — that is, of so much of it as lay to the 
westward of Lake Michigan — was held at Green Bay, and a memorial adopted, asking Congress 
for the formation of a new Territory west of that lake ; to include all of Michigan Territory not 
embraced in the proposed State of Michigan. Congress, as will now be shown, very soon com- 
plied with the request of the memorialists. 

IV.— WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 

The establishing of a separate and distinct Territory west of Lake Michigan, was the result 
of the prospective admission of Michigan into the Union (an event which took place not until 
the twenty-sixth of January, 1837), as the population, in all the region outside of the boundaries 
determined upon by the people for that State, would otherwise be left without a government, or, 
at least, it would be necessary to change the capital of the old Michigan Territory farther to the 
westward ; so it was thought best to erect a new territory, to be called Wisconsin (an Indian 
word signifying wild rushing water, or channel, so called from the principal eastern tributary of 
the Mississippi within its borders), which was done by an act of congress, approved April 20, 
1836, to take effect from and after the third day of July following. The Territory was made to 
include all that is now embraced within the States of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and a part of 
the Territory of Dakota, more particularly described within boundaries commencing at the north- 
east corner of the State of Illinois, running thence through the middle of Lake Michigan to a 
point opposite the main channel of Green bay ; thence through that channel and the bay to the 
mouth of the Menomonee river ; thence up that stream to its head, which is nearest the lake of the 
Desert ; thence to the middle of that lake ; thence down the Montreal river to its mouth ; thence 
ivith a direct line across Lake Superior to where the territorial line of the United States last touches 
:he lake northwest; thence on the north, with the territorial line, to the White Earth river; on the 
(vest by a line drawn down the middle of the main channel of that stream to the Missouri river, 
ind down the middle of the main channel of the last mentioned stream to the northwest corner of 
;he State of Missouri ; and thence with the boundaries of the States of Missouri and Illinois, as 
ilready fixed by act of congress, to the place or point of beginning. Its counties were Brown, 
Milwaukee, Iowa, Crawford, Dubuque, and Des Moines, with a portion of Chippewa and Michili- 
mackihac left unorganized. Although, at this time, the State of Michigan was only engaged, so 
lO speak, to the Union, to include the two peninsulas (many of its citizens preferring in lieu 
thereof the lower one only, with a small slice off the northern boundary of the State of Ohio as 
now constituted), yet the marriage ceremony was performed, as has been stated, a few months 
ifterward. 

The act of congress establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin was very full and 
complete. It first determined its boundaries ; then it declared that all authority of the govern- 
ment of Michigan over the new Territory should cease on the fourth day of July, 1S36, with a 



42 HISTORY OF WISCOXSII^. 

proper reservation of rights in favor of the Indians. It provided for subsequently dividing tne 
Territory into one or more, should congress deem it wise so to do. It also declared that the 
executive power and authority i.n and over the Territory should be vested in a governor, at the same 
time defining his powers. It provided for the appointment of a secretary, stating what his duties 
should be. The legislative power was vested in the governor and legislative assembly, the latter 
to consist of a council and house of representatives, answering respectively to the senate and 
assembly, as states are usually organized. There was a provision for taking the census of the 
several counties, and one giving the governor power to name the time, place, and manner of 
holding the first election, and to declare the number of members of the council and house of 
representatives to which each county should be entitled. He was also to determine where the 
first legislative assembly should meet, and a wise provision was that the latter should not be in 
session in any one year more than seventy-five days. 

One section of the act declared who should be entitled to vote and hold office ; another 
defined the extent of the powers of the legislature, and a third provided that all laws should be 
submitted to congress for their approval or rejection. There was a section designating what 
offices should be elective and what ones should be filled by the governor. There were others 
regulating the judiciary for the Territory and declaring what offices should be appointed by the 
Ignited States, providing for their taking the proper oaths of office and regulating their salaries. 
One, perhaps the most important of all, declared that the Territory should be entitled to and enjoy 
all the rights, privileges, and advantages granted by the celebrated ordinance of 1787. There 
was also a provision for the election of a delegate to the house of representatives of the United 
States ; and a declaration that all suits and indictments pending in the old courts should be con- 
tinued in the new ones. Five thousand dollars were appropriated for a library for the accommo- 
dation of the legislative assembly of the Territory and of its supreme court. 

For the new Territory, Henry Dodge was, on the 30th of April, 1836, by Andrew Jackson, 
then President of the United States, commissioned governor. John S. Horner was commissioned 
secretary; Charles Dunn, chief justice; David Irvin and William C. Frazer, associate judges; 
W. W. Chapman, attorney, and Francis Gehon, marshal. The machinery of a territorial gov- 
ernment was thus formed, which was set in motion by these officers taking the prescribed oath of 
office. The next important step to be taken was to organize the Territorial legislature. The 
provisions of the organic act relative to the enumeration of the population of the Territory were 
that previously to the first election, the governor should cause the ceusus of the inhabitants of 
the several counties to be taken by the several sheriffs, and that the latter should make returns of 
the same to the Executive. These figures gave to Des Moines county, 6,257 ; Iowa county, 
5,234; Dubuque county, 4,274; Milwaukee county, 2,893; Brown county, 2,706; Crawford 
county, 850. The entire population, therefore, of Wisconsin Territory in the summer of 1836, 
as given by the first census was, in precise numbers, twenty-two thousand two hundred and four- 
teen, of which the two counties west of the Mississippi furnished nearly one half. The apportion- 
ment, after the census had been taken, made by the governor, gave to the different counties thir- 
teen councilraen and twenty-six representatives. Brown county got two councilmen and three 
representatives ; Crawford, two representatives, but no councilmen; Milwaukee, two councilmen 
and three representatives ; Iowa, Dubuque and Des Moines, each three councilmen ; but of repre- 
sentatives, Iowa got six; Dubuque, five, and Des Moines, seven. The election was held on the 
tenth of October, 1836, exciting considerable interest, growing out, chiefly, of local considera- 
tions. The permanent location of the capital, the^division of counties, and the location of county 
seats, were the principal questions influencing the voters. There were elected from the county 
of Brown, Henry S. Baird and John P. Arndt, members of the council; Ebenezer Childs, Albert 



WISCONSIN TEERITORY. 43 

G. Ellis and Alexander J. Irwin, members of the house of representatives ; from MilwaukSe, 
the councilmen were Gilbert Knapp and Alanson Sweet ; representatives, William B. Sheldon, 
Madison W. Cornwall and Charles Durkee : from Iowa, coimcilmen, EbenezerBrigham, John B. 
Terry and James R. Vineyard ; representatives, William Boyles, G. F. Smith, D. M. Parkinson, 
Thomas McKnight, T. Shanley and J. P. Cox : from Dubuque, councilmen, John Foley, Thomas 
McCraney and Thomas McKnight; representatives, Loring Wheeler, Hardin Nowlin, Hosea T. 
Camp, P. H. Engle and Patrick Quigley : from Des Moines, councilmen, Jeremiah Smith, Jr., 
Joseph B. Teas and Arthur B. Inghram ; representatives, Isaac Leffler, Thomas Blair, Warren L. 
Jenkins, John Box, George W. Teas, Eli Reynolds and David R. Chance : from Crawford, repre- 
sentatives, James H. Lockwood and James B. Dallam. 

Belmont, in the present county of LaFayette, then in Iowa county, was, by the governor, 
appointed the place for the meeting of the legislature ; he also fixed the time — the twenty-fifth 
of October. A quorum was in attendance in both branches at the time decided upon for their 
assembling, and the two houses were speedily organized by the election of Peter Hill Fngle, of 
Dubuque, speaker of the house, and Henry S. Baird, of Brown, president of the council. Each 
of the separate divisions of the government — the executive, the judicial, and the legislative — 
was now in working order, except that it remained for the legislature to divide the Territory into 
judicial districts, and make an assignment of the judges ; and for the governor to appoint a Ter- 
ritorial treasurer, auditor and attorney general. The act of congress establishing the Terri- 
tory required that it should be divided into three judicial districts. The counties of Crawford 
and Iowa were constitued by the legislature the first district, to which was assigned Chief Justice 
Dunn. The second district was composed of the counties of Des Moines and Dubuque ; to it 
was assigned Associate Judge Irvin. The third district was formed of the counties of Brown 
and Milwaukee, to which was assigned Associate Judge Frazer. 

Governor Dodge, in his first message to the Territorial legislature, directed attention to the 
necessity for defining the jurisdiction and powers of the several courts, and recommended that 
congress should be memorialized to extend the right of pre-emption to actual settlers upon the 
public lands and to miners on mineral lands; also, to remove the obstructions in the rapids 
of the Upper Mississippi, to construct harbors and light-houses on Lake Michigan, to improve 
the navigation of Fox river and to survey the same from its mouth to Fort Winnebago, to 
increase the amount of lands granted to the Territory for school purposes, and to organize and 
arm the militia for the protection of the frontier settlements. The first act passed by the legis- 
lature was one privileging members from arrest in certain cases and conferring on themselves 
power to punish parties for contempt. The second one established the three judicial districts 
and assigned the judges thereto. One was passed to borrow money to defray the expenses 
of the session; others protecting aj lands donated to the Territory by the United States in aid 
of schools, and creating a common school fund. A memorial to congress was adopted request- 
ing authorization to sell the school-section in each township, and appropriate the money arising 
therefrom for increasing the fund for schools. 

During this session, five counties were "set off" west of the Mississippi river: Lee, Van 
Buren, Henry, Louisa, Muscatine, and Cook ; and fifteen east of that stream : Walworth, Racine, 
Jefferson, Dane, Portage, Dodge, Washington, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Calumet, Manitowoc, 
Marquette, Rock, Grant and Green. 

The principal question agitating the legislature at its first session was the location of the 
capital. Already the people west of the Mississippi were speculating upon the establishment of 
a Territory on that side the river, prospects for which would be enhanced evidently, by placing 
the seat of government somewhat in a central position east of that stream, for Wisconsin 



44 HISTORY OF WISCONSIX. 

• 
Territory. Now, as Madison was a point answering such requirements she triumphed over all 

competitors; and the latter numbered a dozen or more — including, among others. Fond du Lac, 

Milwaukee, Racine, Belmont, Mineral Point, Green Bay, and Cassville. The struggle over this 

question was one of the most exciting ever witnessed in the Territorial legislature. Madison 

was fixed upon as the seat of government, but it was provided that sessions of the legislature 

should be held at Burlington, in Des Moines county, until the fourth of March, 1839, unless the 

public buildings in the new capital should be sooner completed. After an enactment that the 

legislature should thereafter meet on the first Monday of November of each year, both houses, 

on the ninth day of December, 1836, adjourned sine die. 

In the act of congress establishing the Territory of Wisconsin it was provided that a delegate 
to the house of representatives of the United States, to serve for the term of two years, should 
be elected by the voters qualified tp elect members of the legislative assembly-, and that the 
first election should be held at such time and place or places, and be conducted in such manner 
as the governor of the Territory should appoint and direct. In pursuance of this enactment. 
Governor Dodge directed that the election for delegate should be at the time and places 
appointed for the election of members of the legislative assembly — the loth of October, 1836. 
The successful candidate for that office was George W. Jones, of Sinsinawa Mound, Iowa 
county — in that portion which was afterward "set off" as Grant county. Jones, under the act 
of 1819, had been elected a delegate for Michigan Territory, in October, 1835, and took his 
seat at the ensuing session, in December of that year. By the act of June 15, 1S36, the consti- 
tution and State government which the people of Michigan had formed for themselves was 
accepted, ratified and confirmed, and she was declared to be one of the United States of 
America, so that the term of two years for which Jones had been elected was cut short, as, in 
the nature of the case, his term could not survive the existence of the Territory he represented. 
But, as he was a candidate for election to represeiit the new Territory of Wisconsin in congress 
as a delegate, and was successful, he took his seat at the commencement of the second session of 
the twenty-fourth congress — December 12, 1836, notwithstanding he had been elected only a 
little over two months. 

The first term of the supreme court of the Territory was held at Belmont on the 8th day of 
December. There were present, Charles Dunn, chief justice, and David Irvin, associate judge. 
John Catlin was appointed clerk, and Henry S. Baird having previously been commissioned 
attorney general for the Territory by Governor Dodge, appeared before the court and took the 
oath of office. .Causes in which the United States was party or interested were looked after by 
the United States attorney, who received his appointment from the president; while all cases 
in which the Territory was interested was attended to by the attorney general, whose commission 
was signed by the governor. The appointing of a crier and reporter and the admission of 
several attorneys to practice, completed the business for the term. The annual term appointed 
for the third Monday of July of the following year, at Madison, was not held; as no business for 
the action of the court had matured. 

At the time of the complete organization of the Territory of Wisconsin, when the whole 
machinery had been put fairly in motion; when its first legislature at its first session had, after 
passing forty-two lavvs and three joint resolutions, in forty-six days, adjourned; — -at this time, 
the entire portion west of the Mississippi had, in round numbers, a population of only eleven 
thousand; while the sparsely settled mineral region, the military establishments — Fort Craw- 
ford, Fort Winnebago, and Fort Howard — and the settlements at or near them, with the village 
of Milwaukee, constituted about all there was of the Territory east of that river, aggregating 
about twelve thousand inhabitants. There was no land in market, except a narrow strip along 



WISCONSIN TERRITOET. 45 

the shore of Lake Michigan, and in the vicinity of Green bay. The residue of tlie country 
south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers was open only to preemption by actual settlers. 
The Indian tribes still claimed a large portion of the lands. On the north and as far west as 
the Red river of the north were located the Chippewas. The southern limits of their posses- 
sions were defined by a line drawn from a point on that stream in about latitude 46° 30' in a 
southeasterly direction to the head of Lake St. Croix; thence in the same general direction to 
what is now Stevens Point, in the present Portage county, Wisconsin ; thence nearly east to 
Wolf river; and thence in a direction nearly northeast to the Menomonee river. The whole 
country bounded by the Red river and Mississippi on the east ; the parallel of about 43" of 
latitude on the south; the Missouri and White Earth river on the west; and the Territorial line 
on the north, was occupied by the Sioux. In the southwest part of the Territory, lying mostly 
south of latitude 43° — in the country reaching to the Missouri State boundary line south, and 
to the Missouri river west — were the homes of the Pottawattamies, the lowas, and the Sacs and 
Foxes. Between the Wisconsin river and the Mississippi, and extending, north to the south 
line of the Chippewas was the territory of the Winnebagoes. East of the Winnebagoes in the 
country north of the Fox river of Green bay were located the Menomonees, their lands 
extending to Wolf river. Such was the general outline of Indian occupancy in Wisconsin 
Territory at its organization. A portion of the country 'east of Wolf river and north of Green 
bay and the Fox river; the whole of the area lying south of Green bay. Fox river and the 
Wisconsin ; and a strip of territory immediately west of the Mississippi, about fifty miles in 
width, and extending from the Missouri State line as far north as the northern boundary of the 
present State of Iowa, constituted the whole extent of country over which the Indians had 
no claim. 

The second session of the first legislative assembly of the Territory began at Burlington, 
now the county seat of Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 6th of November, 1837. The governor, 
in his message, recommended a codification of the laws, the organization of the militia, and other 
measures of interest to the people. An act was passed providing for taking another census, and 
one abolishing imprisonment for debt. By a joint resolution, congress was urged to make an 
appropriation of twenty thousand dollars in money, and two townships of land for a " University 
of the Territory of Wisconsin." The money was not appropriated, but the land was granted — 
forty-six thousand and eighty acres. This was the fundamental endowment of the present State 
university, at Madison. A bill was also passed to regulate the sale of school lands, and to 
prepare for organizing, regulating and perfecting schools. Another act, which passed the 
legislature at this session, proved an apple of discord to the people of the Territory. The 
measure was intended to provide ways and means whereby to connect, by canals and slack- 
water, the waters of Lake Michigan with those of the Mississippi, by way of Rock river, the 
Catfish, the four-lakes and the Wisconsin, by the incorporation of the Milwaukee and Rock 
river canal company. This company was given authority to apply to congress for an appro- 
priation in money or lands to aid in the construction of the work, which was to have its eastern 
outlet in the Milwaukee river, and to unite at its western terminus with Rock river, near the 
present village of Jefferson, in Jefferson county. The result was that a grant of land of odd- 
numbered sections in a strip of territory five miles on each side of the line of the proposed canal 
was secured, and in July, 1839, over forty thousand acres were sold at the minimum price of 
two dollars and fifty cents per acre. However, owing mainly to the fact that purchasers were 
compelled to pay double the government price for their lands — owing also to the circumstance 
o£ an antagonism growing up between the officers of the canal company and the Territorial 
oflicers intrusted with the disposition of the lands, and to conflicts between'the beneficiaries of 



46 HISTORY OF WISCOjSTSIX. 

the grant and some of the leading politicians of the time — the whole scheme proved a curse 
and a blight rather than a blessing, and eventuating, of course, in the total failure of the project. 
There had been much Territorial and State legislation concerning the matter ; but very little 
work, meanwhile, was done on the canal. It is only within the year 1S75 that an apparent 
quietus has been given to the subject, and legislative enactments forever put at rest. 

Fourteen counties were set off during this session of the legislature at Burlington — all 
west of the Mississippi. They were Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Fayette, 
Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Slaughter, Scott and Clayton. One hundred and five 
acts and twenty joint resolutions were passed. On the 20th of January, 1S38, both houses 
adjourned until the second Monday of June following. 

The census of the Territory having been taken in May, the special session of the first legis- 
lature commenced on the eleventh of June, 1838, at Burlington, pursuant to adjournment, mainly 
for the purpose of making a new apportionment of members of the house. This was effected by 
giving twelve members to the counties east of the Mississippi, and fourteen to those west of that 
stream, to be contingent, however, upon the division of the Territory, which measure was not 
only then before congress, but had been actually passed by that body, though unknown to the 
Territorial legislature. The law made it incumbent on the governor, in the event of the Terri- 
tory being divided before the next general election, to make an apportionment for the part 
remaining, — enacting that the one made by the act of the legislature should, in that case, have 
no effect. Having provided that the next session should be held at Madison, the legislative body 
adjourned sine die on the twenty-fifth of June, 1S38, the public buildings at the new capital 
having been put under contract in April, previous. Up to this time, the officers of the Territory 
at large, appointed by the president of the United States at its organization, had remained 
unchanged, except that the secretary, John S. Horner, had been removed and his place given to 
William B. Slaughter, by appointment, dated February 16, 1837. Now there were two other 
changes made. On the nineteenth of June, Edward James was commissioned marshal, and on 
the fifth of July, Moses M. Strong was commissioned attorney of the United States for the Ter- 
ritory. By an act of congress, approved June 12, 1838, to divide the Territory of Wisconsin, 
and to establish a Territorial government west of the Mississippi, it was provided that from and 
after the third day of July following, all that part of Wisconsin Territory lying west of that river 
and west of a line drawn due north from its headwaters or sources to the Territorial line, for the 
purposes of a Territorial government should be set apart and known by the name of Iowa. It 
was further enacted that the Territory of Wisconsin should thereafter extend westward only to 
the Mississippi. It will be seen therefore that all that portion of the present State of Minnesota, 
extending eastward from the Mississippi to the St. Croix and northward to the United States 
boundary line, was then a part of Wisconsin Territory, even after the organization of the Terri- 
tory of Iowa. The census taken in May, just previous to the passage of this act, gave a total 
population to the several counties of the Territory, east of the Mississippi, of 18,149. 

On the third Monday of July, 1838, the annual terms of the supreme court — the first one 
after the re-organization of the Territory of Wisconsin — was held at Madison. There were 
present Chief Justice Dunn and Associate Judge Frazer. After admitting five attorneys to 
practice, hearing several motions, and granting several rules, the court adjourned. All the terms 
of the Supreme Court thereafter were held at Madison. 

At an election held in the Territory on the tenth day of September, 1S38, James Duane Doty 
received the highest number of votes for the office of delegate to congress, and was declared by 
Governor Dodge duly elected, by a certificate of election, issued. on the twenty-seventh day of 
October following. Upon the commencement of the third session of the twenty- fifth congress 



WISCOXSIX TERRITORY. 47 

on Monday, December lo, 1838, Isaac E. Crary, member from Michigan, announced to the chair 
of the house of representatives that Doty was in attendance as delegate from Wisconsin Terri- 
tory, and moved that he be qualified. Jones, the former delegate, then rose and [jrotested 
against Doty's right to the seat, claiming that his (Jones') term had not expired. The basis for 
his claim was that under the act of 1817, a delegate must be elected only for one congress, and 
not for parts of tavo congressional terms; that his term as a delegate from Wisconsin did not 
commence until the fourth of March, 1837, and consequently would not e.xpire until the fourth 
of March, 1839. The subject was finally referred to the committee of elections. This com- 
mittee, on the fourteenth of January, 1839, reported in favor of Doty's right to his seat as dele- 
gate, submitting a resolution to that effect which passed the house by a vote of one hundred and 
sixty-five to twenty-five. Whereupon Doty was qualified as delegate from Wisconsin Territorv, 
and took his seat at the date last mentioned. 

On the Sth of November, Andrew G. Miller was appointed by Martin Van Buren, then 
president of the United States, associate judge of the supreme court, to succeed Judge Frazer, 
who died at Milwaukee, on the i8th of October. During this year, Moses M. Strong succeeded 
W. W. Chapman as United States attorney for the Territory. 

On the 26th day of November, 1838, the legislature of the re-organized Territory of Wis- 
consin — being the first session of the second legislative assembly — met at Madison. Governor 
Dodge, in his message, recommended an investigation of the banks then in operation, memorial- 
izing congress for a grant of lands for the improvement of the Fox river of Green bay and the 
Wisconsin; the revision of the laws; the division of the Territory into judicial districts; the 
justice of granting to all miners who have obtained the ownership of mineral grounds under the 
regulations of the superintendent of the United States lead mines, either by discovery or pur- 
chase, the right of pre-emption; and the improvement of the harbors on Lake Michigan. 

The attention of this Legislature was directed to the mode in which the commissioners of 
public buildings had discharged their duties There was an investigation of the three banks 
then in operation in the Territory — one at Green Bay, one at Mineral Point, and the other at 
Milwaukee. A plan, also, for the revision of the laws of the Territory was considered. A new 
assignment was made for the holding of district courts. Chief Justice Dunn was assigned to the 
first district, composed of the counties of Iowa, Grant and Crawford; Judge Irvin to the second, 
composed of the counties of Dane, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth and Green; while Judge Miller 
was assigned to the third district, composed of Milwaukee, Brown and Racine counties- — includ- 
ing therein the unorganized counties of Washington and Dodge, which, for judicial purposes, 
were, when constituted by name and boundary, attached to Milwaukee county, and had so 
remained since that date. The legislature adjourned on the 22d of December, to meet again on 
the 2 1 St of the following month. ".■Although, " said the president of the council, upon the occasion 
of the adjournment, '' but few acts of a general character have been passed, as the discussions and 
action of this body have been chiefly confined to bills of a local nature, and to the passage of 
memorials to the parent government in behalf of the great interests of the Territory; yet it is 
believed that the concurrent resolutions of the two houses authorizing a revision of the laws, is a 
measure of infinite importance to the true interests of the people, and to the credit and charac- 
ter of the Territory." 

Tbe census of the Territory having been taken during the year 1838, showed a population 
of 18,130, an increase in two years of 6,447. 

The second session of the .'-econd legislative assembly commenced on the twenty-first day of 
January, 1839, agreeable to adjournment. The most important work was the revision of the laws 
which had been perfected during the recess, by the committee to whom the work was intrusted. 



48 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIIN". 

« 

consisting of tiiree members from each house : from tlie council, M. L. Martin, Marshall M. 
Strong, and James Collins ; from the house of representatives, Edward V. Whiton, Augustus 
Story, and Barlow Shackleford. The act legalizing the revision, took effect on the fourth day of 
July following. The laws as revised, composed the principal part of those forming the Revised 
Statutes of 1839, a valuable volume for all classes in the territory — and especially so for the 
courts and lawyers— during the next ten years. The sine die adjournment of this legislature took 
place on the nth of March, 1839. 

On the 8th of March of this year, Henry Dodge, whose term for three years as governor 
was about to expire, was again commissioned by the president of the United States, as governor 
of the Territory of Wisconsin. At the July term of the supreme court, all the judges were pre- 
sent, and several cases were heard and decided. A seal for the court was also adopted. The 
attorney general of the Territory at this time was H. N. Wells, who had been commissioned by 
Governor Dodge, on the 30th of March previous, in place of H. S. Baird, resigned. Wells not 
being in attendance at this term of the court, Franklin J. Munger was appointed by the judge 
attorney general for that session. The clerk, John Collin having resigned, Simeon Mills was 
selected by the court to fill his place. From this time, the supreme court met annually, as pro- 
vided by law, until Wisconsin became a State. 

The next legislature assembled at Madison, on the second of December, 1839. This was 
the third session of the second legislative assembly of the Territory. The term for which mem- 
bers of the house were elected, would soon expire ; it was therefore desirable that a new appor- 
tionment should be made. As the census would be taken ihe ensuing June, by the United States, 
it would be unnecessary for the Territory to make an additional enumeration. A short session 
was resolved upon, and then an adjournment until after the completion of the census. One of 
the subjects occupying largely the attention of the members, was the condition of the capitol, 
and the conduct of the commissioners intrusted with the money appropriated by. congress to 
defray the cost of its construction. The legislature adjourned on the thirteenth of January, 
1840, to meet again on the third of the ensuing August. The completion of the census showed 
a population for the Territory of thirty thousand seven hundred and forty-four, against eighteen 
thousand one hundred and thirty, two years previous. Upon the re-assembling of the legisla- 
ture — which is known as the extra session of the second legi"lative assembly — at the time agreed 
upon, some changes were made in the apportionment of members to the house of representa- 
tives ; the session lasted but a few days, a final adjournment taking place on the fourteenth of 
August, 1840. At the July term of the supreme court, Simeon Mills resigned the office of 
clerk, and La Fayette Kellogg was appointed in his place. Kellogg continued to hold the posi- 
tion until the state judiciary was organized. At the ensuing election, James Duane Doty was 
re-elected Territorial delegate, taking his seat for the first time under his second term, on the 
eighth day of December, 1840, at the commencement of the second session of the twenty-sixth 
congress. 

The first session of the third legislative assembly commence^, on the seventh of December, 
1840, with all new members in the house except three. .\11 had recently been elected under the 
new apportionment. Most of the session was devoted to the ordinary routine of legislation. 
There was, however, a departure, in the passage of two acts granting divorces, from the usual 
current of legislative proceedings in the Territory. There was, also, a very interesting contested 
election case between two members from Brown county. Such was the backwardness in regard 
to the building of the capitol, at this date, that a large majority of the members stood ready to 
remove the seat of government to some other place. However, as no particular point could be 
agreed upon, it remained at Madison. The legislature adjourned on the nineteenth of February, 



I 



4 WISCOKSIX TERRITORY. 4[> 

1841, having continued a term of seventy-five days, the maximum time limited by the organic act. 
Francis J. I>unn, appointed by Martin Van Buren, was commissioned in place of William 
B. Slaughter, as secretary of the Territory, on the 25th of January, 1841, but was himself super- 
ceded by the appointment of A. P. Field, on the 23d day of April following. On the 15th of 
March, Daniel Hugunin was commissioned as marshal in place of Edward James, and on the 
27th of April, Thomas W. Sutherland succeeded Moses M. Strong as United States attorney 
for the Territory. On the 26th of June, Governor Dodge commissioned as attorney general of 
the Territory, M. M. Jackson. On the 13th of September following. Dodge was removed from 
office by John Tyler, then president of the United States, and James Duane Doty appointed in 
his place. The appointment of Doty, then the delegate of the Territory in congress, by the 
president of the United States as governor, and the consequent resignation of the latter of his 
seat in the house of representatives, caused a vacancy which was filled by the election of Henry 
Dodge to that office, on the 27th of September, 1841; so that Doty and Dodge changed places. 
Dodge took his seat for the first tiine, at the commencement of the second session of the twenty- 
fifth congress — Monday, December 7, 1841. 

About this time, the Milwaukee and Rock river canal imbroglio broke out afresh. The 
loan agent appointed by the governor to negotiate a loan of one hundred thousand dollars for 
the work, reported that he had negotiated fifty-six thousand dollars of bonds, which had been 
issued ; but he did not report what kind of money was to be received for them. Now, the canal 
commissioners claimed that it was their right and duty not to recognize any loan which was to 
be paid in such currency as they disapproved of. This dispute defeated the loan, and stopped 
all work on the canal. During the year 1841, Thomas W. Sutherland succeeded Moses M. 
Strong as United States attorney. The second session of the third legislative assembly began 
at Madison, on the sixth of December, 1841. Governor Doty, in his message to that body, 
boldly avowed the doctrine that no law of the Territory was effective, until expressly approved 
by congress. "The act," said he, "establishing the government of Wisconsin, in the third sec- 
tion, requires the secretary of the Territory to transmit annually, on or before the first Monday 
in December, ' two copies of the laws to the speaker of the house of representatives, for the 
use of congress.' The sixth section provides that 'all laws of the governor and legislative 
assembly shall be submitted to, and, if disapproved by the congress of the United States, the 
same shall be null and of no effect.' " "These provisions," he added, "it seems to me, require 
the laws to be actually submitted to congress before they take effect. They change the law by 
which this country was governed while it was a part of Michigan. That law provided that 
the laws should be reported to congress, and that they should ' be in force in the district until 
the organization of the general assembly therein, unless disapproved of by congress.' " The 
governor concluded in these words: "The opinion of my predecessor, which was expressed to 
the first legislature assembled after the organization of this government, in his message delivered 
at Belmont on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1836, fully sustains this view of the subject which 
I have presented. He said: 'We have convened under an act of congress of the United States 
establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin, for the purpose of enacting such laws as 
may be required for the government of the people of this Territory, after their approval by con- 
gress.'" This construction of the organic act resulted in a lengthy warfare between the gov- 
ernor and the legislative assembly. 

At this session, the Milwaukee and Rock river canal again raised a tumult. " Congress 
had made a valuable grant of land to the Territory in trust. The Territory was the trustee ; 
the canal company the as/ui que trust. The trust had been accepted, and a large portion of 
the lands hid been sold, one tenth of the purchase money received, and ample securities held 



50 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

for the balance." The Territory now, by its legislature, repealed all the laws authorizing a 
loan, and all which contemplated the expenditure of any money on its part in constructing the 
canal. The legislature resolved that all connection ought to be dissolved, and the work on 
liie canal by the Territory abandoned, and that the latter ought not further to execute the 
trust. They resolved also that the congress be requested to divert the grant to such other 
internal improvements as should be designated by the Territory, subject to the approval of 
congress; and that, if the latter should decline to make this diversion, it was requested to take 
back the grant, and dispose of the unsold lands. On the eleventh of February, 1842, a tragedy 
was enacted in the legislative council, causing great excitement over the whole Territory. On 
that day, Charles C. P. Arndt, a member from Brown county, was, while that body was in 
session, shot dead by James R. Vineyard, a member from Grant county. The difficulty grew 
out of a debate on motion to lay on the table the nomination of Enos S. Baker to the office of 
sheriff of Grant county. Immediately before adjournment of the council, the parties who had 
come together, after loud and angry words had been spoken, were separated by the by-standers. 
When an adjournment had been announced, they met again; whereupon Arndt struck at Vine- 
yard. The latter then drew a pistol and shot Arndt. He died in a few moments. Vineyard 
immediately surrendered himself to the sheriff of the county, waived an examination, and was 
committed to jail. After a short confinement, he was brought before the chief justice of the 
Territory, on a writ of habeas corpus, and admitted to bail. He was afterward indicted for man- 
slaughter, was tried and acquitted. Three days after shooting Arndt, Vineyard sent in his 
resignation as member of the council. That body refused to receive it, or to have it read even; 
but at once expelled him. The second and last session of the third legislative assembly came 
to a close on the eighteenth of February, 1842. 

The first session of the fourth legislative assembly commenced on the fifth day of Decem- 
ber, 1842. The members had been elected under a new apportionment based upon a census 
taken in the previous June, which showed a total population for the Territory of forty-six thou- 
sand six hundred and seventy-eight — an increase of nearly ten thousand in two years. A politi- 
cal count showed a decided democratic majority in each house. Governor Doty's political 
proclivities were with the whig party. The contest between him and the legislature now 
assumed a serious character. He refused to "hold converse " with it, for the reason that, in his 
opinion, no appropriation had been made by congress to defray the expenses of the session, and, 
as a consequence, none could be held. The legislature made a representation to congress, then 
in session, of the objections of the governor, and adjourned on the tenth of December, to meet 
again on the thirteenth of January, 1843. It was not until the fourth of February following that 
a quorum in both houses had assembled, when the legislature, through a joint committee, waited 
on the governor, and informed him that they had again met according to adjournment, and were 
then ready to pioceed to business. Previous to this time, congress had made an appropriation 
to cover the expenses of the legislature now in session, which it was supposed would remove all 
conflict about its legality. But "the governor had, on the thirtieth day of January previous, issued 
a proclamation, convening a special session of the legislature on the sixth of March, and still 
refused to recognize the present one as legal. Both houses then adjourned to the day fixed by 
the executive. A final adjournment took place on the seventeenth of .\pril following. 

The term of two years for which Henry Dodge was elected as cfelegate, having expired at 
the close of the third session of the twenty-seventh congress, he was, on the twenty-fifth of Sep- 
tember, 1843, re-elected, taking his seat for the first time on his second term at the commence- 
ment of the first session of the twenty-eighth congress, Monday, December 4, 1843. On 
the thirtieth of October of this year, George Floyd was commissioned by President Tyler as 



I 



WISCOXSIX TERRITORY. fll 

secretary of the Territory, in place of A. P. Field. 

The second session of the fourth legislative assembly of the Territory, commencing on the 
fourth of December, 1843, and terminating on the thirty-first of January, 1844 — a period of filty- 
nine days — accomplished but little worthy of especial mention, except the submission of the 
question of the formation of a State government to a vote of the people, to be taken at the gene- 
ral election to be held in September following. The proposition did not succeed at the ballot- 
box. The third session of the fourth legislative assembly did not commence until the sixth of 
January, 1845, as the time had been changed to the first Monday in that month for annual meet- 
ings. Governor Doty having persisted in spelling Wisconsin with a "k" and an "a" — AVis- 
/('onsrt:n — and some of the people having adopted his method, it was thought by this legislature 
a matter of sufficient importance to be checked. So, by a joint resolution, the orthography — 
Wisrons/n — employed in the organic act, was adopted as tlie true one for the Territory, and has 
ever since been used. Before the commencement of this session Doty's term of office had 
expired. He was superseded as governor of the Territory by N. P. Tallmadge, the latter having 
been appointed on the twenty-first of June, 1844. On the thirly-first of August, Charles M. 
Prevost was appointed marshal of the Territory, in place of Daniel Hugunin. There was the 
utmost harmony between Governor Tallmadge and the legislature of the Territory at its session 
in 1845. 

His message, which was delivered to the two houses in person, on the seventeenth of January, 
was well received. Among other items of interest to which he called the attentioh of the legis- 
lative assembly, was one concerning the construction of a railroad to connect Lake Michigan with 
the Mississippi. "The interests of the Territory," said he, " seem inperiously to demand the con- 
struction of a railroad, or other communication, from some suitable point on Lake Michigan to 
the Mississippi river. Much difference of opinion seems to exist as to what it shall be, and how 
it is to be accomplished. There is a general impression," continued the governor, " that the con- 
struction of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal, which was intended to connect those waters, is 
abandoned. It remains to be seen what shall be substituted for it." The session terminated on 
the twenty-fourth of February, 1S45. 

James K. Polk having been inaugurated president of the United States on the fourth of 
March, 1845, Henry Dodge was again put into the gubernatorial chair of the Territory, receiving 
his appointment on the eighth of April, 1845. Other changes were made by the president during 
the same year, John B. Rockwell being, on the fourteenth of March, appointed marshal, and W. 
P. Lynde, on the fourteenth of July, United States attorney for the Territory, Governor Tall- 
madge, on the twenty-second of January of this year, having commissioned the latter also as 
attorney general. On the twenty-second of September, Morgan L. Martin was elected delegate 
to the twenty-ninth congress, as the successor of Henry Dodge. 

The fourth and last session of the fourth legislative assembly was organized on the fifth of 
January, 1846. This session, although a short one, proved very important. Preliminary steps 
were taken for the formation of a State government The first Tuesday in April next succeeding 
was the day fixed upon for the people to vote for or against the proposition. When taken it 
resulted in a large majority voting in favor of the measure. An act was passed providing for taking 
the census of the Territory, and for the apportionment by the governor of delegates to form a 
State constitution, based upon the new enumeration. The delegates were to be elected on the first 
Monday in September, and the convention was to assemble on the first Monday in October, 1846. 
The constitution when formed was to be submitted to the vote of the people for adoption or 
rejection, as, at the close of the session, the terms of members of the council who had been elected 
for lour years, and of the house, who had been elected for two years, all ended. The legislature 



52 HISTORY OF "WISCONSIN. 

re-organized the election districts, and conferred on the governor the power and duty of making 
an apportionment, based on the census to be taken, for the next legislative assembly, when, on 
the third of February, 1846, both houses adjourned sine die. On the twenty-second of January, 
Governor Dodge appointed A. Hyatt Smith attorney general of the Territory. On the twenty- 
fourth of February, John Catlin was appointed Territorial secretary by the president. 

The census taken in the following June showed a population for the Territory of one hun- 
dred and fifty-five thousand two hundred and seventy-seven. Delegates having been elected to 
form a constitution for the proposed new State, met at Madison on the fifth day of October. 
After completing their labors, they adjourned. This event took place on the sixteenth of 
December, 1846. The constitution thus formed was submitted to a popular vote on the first 
Tuesday of April, 1847, and rejected. The first session of the fifth legislative assembly com- 
menced on the fourth of January of that year. But little was done. Both houses finally 
adjourned on the eleventh of February, 1847. John H. Tweedy was elected as the successor 
of Morgan L. Martin, delegate to the thirtieth congress, on the sixth of September following. On 
the twenty-seventh of that month. Governor Dodge issued a proclamation for a special session 
of the legislature, to commence on the eighteenth of the ensuing month, to take action concern- 
ing the admission of Wisconsin into the Union. The two houses assembled on the day named 
in the proclamation, and a law was passed for the holding of another convention to frame a 
constitution ; when, after nine days' labor, they adjourned. Delegates to the new convention 
were elected on the last Monday of November, and that body met at Madison on the fifteenth 
of December, 1847. A census of the Territory was taken this year, which showed a population 
of two hundred and ten thousand five hundred and forty-six. The result of the labors of the 
second constitutional convention was the formation of a constitution, which, being submitted 
to the people on the second Monday of March, 1848, was duly ratified. 

The second and last session of the fifth legislative assembly — the last legislative assembly 
of Wisconsin Territory — commenced on the seventh of February, 1S48, and adjourned sine die 
on the thirteenth of March following. On the twentieth of the same month, J. H. Tweedy, 
delegate from Wisconsin, introduced a bill in congress for its admission into the Union. The 
bill was finally passed; and on the twenty-ninth of May, 1848, Wisconsin became a State. 
There had been seventeen sessions of the legislative assembly of the Territory, of an average 
duration of forty days each : the longest one lasted seventy-six days ; the shortest, ten days. So 
long as the Territory had an existence, the apportionment of thirteen members for the council, and 
twenty-six for the house of representatives, was continued, as provided in the organic act. 
There had been, besides those previously mentioned, nine additional counties " set off " by the 
legislative assembly of the Territory, so that they now numbered in all twenty-eight : Milwaukee, 
Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Green, Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calu- 
met, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, 
La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix, and La Pointe. 

v.— WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 

First Administration. — Nelson Dewev, Governor — 1848, 1849. 

The boundaries prescribed in the act of congress, entitled "An Act to enable the people of 
Wisconsin Territory to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of such 
State into the Union," approved August 6, 1846, were accepted by the convention which formed 
the constitution of Wisconsin, and are described in that instrument as " beginning at the north- 
east corner of the State of Illinois — that is to say, at a point in the center of Lake Michigan 



WISco^^SI^^ as a state. 53 

where the line of forty-two degrees and thirty minutes of north latitude crosses the same ; thence 
running with the boundary line of the State of Michigan, through Lake Micliigan [and] Green 
bay to the mouth of the Menomonee river ; thence up the channel of the said river to the Brule 
river ; thence up said last mentioned river to Lake Brule ; thence along the southern shore of 
Lake Brule, in a direct line to the center of the channel between Middle and South islands, in 
the Lake of the Desert ; thence in a direct line to the head waters of the Montreal river, as 
marked upon the survey made by Captain Cram ; thence down the main channel of the Mon- 
treal river to the middle of Lake Superior ; thence through the center of Lake Superior to the 
mouth of the St. Louis river ; thence up the main channel of said river to the first rapids in the 
same, above the Indian village, according to Nicollett's map ; thence due south to the main 
branch of the River St. Croix ; thence down the main channel of said river to the Mississippi ; 
thence down the center of the main channel of that river to the northwest corner of the State 
of Illinois ; thence due east with the northern boundary of the State of Illinois to the place of 
beginning " The territory included within these lines constitutes the State of Wisconsin, 
familiarly known as the "Badger State." All that portion of Wisconsin Territory, as formerly 
constituted, lying west of so much of the above mentioned boundary as extends from the middle 
of Lake Superior to the mouth of the St. Croix river, not being included in Wisconsin, the limits 
of the State are, of course, not identical with those of the Territory as they previously existed. 

The State of Wisconsin, thus bounded, is situated between the parallel of forty-two degrees 
thirty minutes and that of forty-seven degrees, north latitude, and between the eighty-seventh 
and ninety-third degrees west longitude, nearly. For a portion of its northern border it has 
Lake Superior, the largest body of fresh water in the world ; for a part of its eastern boundary it 
has Lake Michigan, almost equal in size to Lake Superior ; while the Mississippi, the largest 
river in the world but one, forms a large portion of its western boundary. The State of Michi- 
gan lies on the east ; Illinois on the south ; Iowa and Minnesota on the west. Wisconsin has an 
average length of about two hundred and sixty miles; an average breadth of two hundred and 
fifteen miles. 

The constitution of Wisconsin, adopted by the people on the second Monday of March, 
184S, provided for the election of a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer, 
attorney general, members of the State legislature, and members of congress, on the second 
Monday of the ensuing May. On that day — the 8th of the month — the election was held, 
which resulted in the choice of Nelson Dewey, for governor ; John E. Holmes, for lieutenant 
governor ; Thomas McHugh, for secretary of state ; Jairus C. Fairchild, for state treasurer ; 
and James S. Brown, for attorney general. The State was divided into nineteen senatorial, and 
sixty-six assembly districts, in each of which one member was elected ; it was also divided into 
two congressional districts, in each of which one member of congress was elected- -William 
Pitt Lynde in the first district, composed of the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, 
Racine, Walworth, Rock, and Green ; Mason C. Darling, in the second district, composed of the 
counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calumet, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, 
Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Craw- 
ford, Chippewa, St. Croix, and La Pointe — the counties of Richland, Chippewa and La Pointe 
being unorganized. 

The first session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced at Madison, the seat of govern- 
ment for the State, on Monday, the 5th day of June, 1848. Ninean E. Whiteside was elected 
speaker of the assembly, and Henry Billings president of the senate, //v tempore. The democrats 
were largely in the majority in both houses. The legislature, in joint convention, on the 7lh of 
June, canvassed, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, the votes given on the 
8th of May previous, for the State officers and the two representatives in congress. On the same 



54 HISTORY OF WISCO]>fSIN. 

day, the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary ot state, treasurer, and attorney general, were 
sworn into office in presence of both houses. All these officers, as well as the representatives in 
congress, were democrats. Dewey's majority over John H. Tweedy, whig, was five thousand and 
eighty-nine. William P. Lynde's majority in the first district, fisr congress, over Edward V. 
Whiton, whig, was two thousand four hundred and forty-seven. Mason C. Darling's majority in 
the second district, over Alexander L. Collins, whig, was two thousand eight hundred and forty- 
six. .\s the thirtieth congress, to which Lynde and Darling were elected would expire on the 4th 
of March, 1S49, tlieir terms of office would, of course, end on that day. The former took his 
seat on the sth of June, the latter on the 9th of June, 1848. 

The constitution vested the judicial power of the State in a supreme court, circuit courts, 
courts of probate, and. in justices of the peace, giving the legislature power to vest such juris- 
diction as should be deemed necessary in municipal courts ; also, conferring upon it the power 
to establish inferior courts in the several counties, with limited civil and criminal jurisdiction. 
The State was divided into five judicial circuits; and judges were to be elected at a time to be 
provided for by the legislature at its first session. It was provided that there should be no 
election for a judge or judges, at any general election for State or county officers, nor within 
thirty days either before or after such election. 

On the Sth of June, 1848, Governor Dewey delivered his first message to a joint convention 
of the two houses. It was clear, concise, and definite upon such subjects as, in his opinion 
demanded immediate attention. His views were generally regarded as sound and statesmanlike 
by the people of the State. " You have convened," said he, " under the provisions of the con- 
stitution of the State of Wisconsin, to perform as representatives of the people, the important 
duties contemplated by that instrument." " The first session of the legislature of a free people," 
continued the governor, " after assuming the political identity of a sovereign State, is an event of 
no ordinary character in its history, and will be fraught with consequences of the highest 
importance to its future welfare and prosperity. Wisconsin possesses the natural elements, 
fostered by the judicious system of legislation," the governor added, " to become one of the 
most populous and prosperous States of the American Union. With a soil unequaled in fertility, 
and productive of all the necessary comforts of life, rich in mineral wealth, with commercial 
advantages unsurpassed by any inland State, possessing extensive manufacturing facilities, with a 
salubrious climate, and peopled with a population enterprising, industrious, and intelligent, the 
course of the State of Wisconsin must be onward, until she ranks among the first of the States 
of the Great West. It is," concluded the speaker, "under the most favorable auspices that the 
State of Wisconsin has taken her position among the families of States. With a population 
numbering nearly one quarter of a million, and rapidly increasing, free from the incubus of a 
State debt, and rich in the return yielded as the reward of labor in all the branches of industrial 
pursuits, our State occupies an enviable position abroad, that is highly gratifying to the pride of 
our people." Governor Dewey then recommended a number of measures necessary, in his 
judgment, to be made upon changing from a Territorial to a State government. 

The first important business of the legislature, was the election of two United States 
senators. The successful candidates were Henry Dodge and Isaac P. Walker, both democrats. 
Their election took place on the 8th of June, 1848, Dodge taking his seat in the senate on the 
23d of June, and Walker on the 26th of June, 1848. The latter drew the short term ; so that 
his office would expire on the 4th day of March, 1849, at the end of the thirtieth congress : 
Dodge drew the long term, his office to expire on the 4th day of March, 1851, at the end of the 
thirty-first congress. The residue of the session was taken up in passing such acts as were 
deemed necessary to put the machinery of the new State government, in all its branches, in fair 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 55 

running order. One was passed providing for the annual meeting of the legislature, on the 
second Wednesday of January of each year ; another prescribing the duties of State officers ; 
one dividing the State into three congressional districts. The first district was composed of the 
counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, and Racine ; the second, of the counties of Rock, 
Green, La Fayette, Grant, Dane, Iowa, Sauk, Richland, Crawford, Adams, Portage, Chippewa, La 
Pointe, and St. Croix ; the third, of the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown, 
Winnebago, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Dodge, Jefferson, and Columbia. Another act 
provided for the election of judges of the circuit courts, on the first Monday of August, 184S. 
By the same act, it was provided that the first term of the supreme court should be held in 
Madison on the second Monday of January, 1849, and thereafter at the same place on the same 
day, yearly ; afterward changed so as to hold a January and June term in each year. An act 
was also passed providing for the election, and defining the duties of State superintendent of 
public instruction. That officer was to be elected at the general election to be holden in each 
year, his term of office to commence on the first Monday of January succeeding his election. 
.\nother act established a State university ; another exempted a homestead from a forced sale ; 
another provided for a revision df the statutes. The legislature, after a session of eighty-five 
days, adjourned sine die on the twenty-first of August, 1848. 

The State, as previously stated, was divided into five judicial circuits : Edward V. Whiton 
being chosen judge at the election on the first Monday in August, 1848, of the first circuit, com- 
posed of the counties of Racine, ^Valworth, Rock, and Green, as then constituted; Levi Hubbell 
of the second, composed of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dane ; Charles H. Larrabee, 
of the third, composed of Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Marquette, Sauk, and Portage, as then 
formed; Alexander W. Stow, of the fourth, composed of Brown, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond 
du Lac, Winnebago, and Calumet; and Mortimer M. Jackson, of the fifth circuit, composed of 
the counties of Iowa, LaFayette, Grant, Crawford and St. Croix, as then organized; the county 
of Richland being attached to Iowa county ; the county of Chippewa to the county of Craw- 
ford ; and the county of LaPointe to the county of St. Croix, for judicial purposes. 

In the ensuing Fall there was a presidential election. There were then three organized 
political parties in the State : whig, democratic, and free-soil — each of which had a ticket in 
the field. The democrats were in the majority, and their four electors cast their votes for Lewis 
Cass and William O. Butler. At this election, Eleazer Root was the successful candidate for State 
superintendent of public instruction. In his election party politics were not considered. There 
were also three members for the thirty-first congress chosen : Charles Durkee, to represent the 
first district; Orsamus Cole, the second; and James D. Dotv, the third district. Durkee 
was a free-soiler; Cole, a whig; Doty, a democrat — with somewhat decided Doty proclivities. 

The act of the legislature, exempting a homestead from forced sale of any debt or liability 
. contracted after January i, 1849, approved the twenty-ninth of July previous, and another act 
for a like exemption of certain personal property, approved August 10, 1848, were laws the most 
liberal in their nature passed by any State of the Union previous to those dates. It was prophe- 
sied that they would work wonderful changes in the business transactions of the new State — for 
the worse; but time passed, and their utility were soon evident: it was soon very generally 
acknowledged that proper exemiition laws were highly beneficial — a real good to the greatest 
number of the citizens of a State. 

So much of Wisconsin Territory as lay west of the St. Croix and the State boundary north 
of it, was, upon the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, left, for the time being, without a 
government — unless it was still "Wisconsin Territory." Henry Dodge, upon being elected to the 
United States senate from Wisconsin, vacated, of course, the office of governor of this fraction. 
John H. Tweedy, delegate in congress at the time Wisconsin became a State, made a formal 



56 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

resignation of his office, thus leaving the fractional Territory unrepresented. Thereupon John 
Catlin, secretary of the Territory of Wisconsin as a whole, and now claiming, by virtue of that 
office, to be acting governor of the fractional part, issued a proclamation as such officer for an 
election on the thirtieth of October, 1848, of a delegate in congress. Nearly four hundred votes 
were polled in the district, showing "Wisconsin Territory" still to have a population of not less 
than two thousand. H. H. Sibley was elected to that office. On the fifteenth of January, 1849, 
he was admitted to a seat as "delegate from Wisconsin Territory." This hastened the formation 
of the Territory of Minnesota — a bill for that purpose having become a law on the third of 
March, when " Wisconsin Territory" ceased finally to exist, being included in the new Territory. 

The year 1848 — the first year of the existence of Wisconsin as a State — was one of general 
prosperity to its rapidly increasing population. The National Government effected a treaty with 
the Menomoneee Indians, by which their title was extinguished to the country north of the Fox 
river of Green bay, embracing all their lands in the State. This was an important acquisition, 
as it opened a large tract of country to civilization and settlement, which had been for a consid- 
erable time greatly desired by the people. The State government at the close of the year hac 
been in existence long enough to demonstrate its successful operation. The electric telegraph 
had already reached the capital ; and Wisconsin entered its second year upon a flood tide of 
prosperity. 

Under the constitution, the circuit judges were also judges of the supreme court. An act 
of the legislature, approved June 29, 1848, providing for the election of judges, and for the 
classification and organization of the judiciary of the State, authorized the election, by the judges, 
of one of their number as chief justice. Judge Alexander W. Stow was chosen to that office, 
and, as chief justice, held, in conjunction with Associate Judges Whiton, Jackson, Larrabee, and 
Hubbell, the first session of the supreme court at Madison, commencing on the eighth day of 
January, 1849. 

The second session of the State legislature commenced, according to law, on the tenth of 
January, 1849, Harrison C. Hobart being elected speaker of the assembly. Governor Dewey, in 
his message, sent to both houses on the nth, referred to the rapidly increasing population of the 
State, and the indomitable energy displayed in the development of its productive capacity. He 
recommended the sale of the university lands on a long credit, the erection of a State prison, 
and the modification of certain laws. On the seventeenth of January, the two houses met in 
joint convention to elect an United States senator in place of Isaac P Walker, who had drawn 
the short term. The democrats had a small majority on joint ballot. Walker was re-elected; 
this time, for a full term of six years, from the 4th of March, 1849. The legislature at this 
session passed many acts of public utility ; some relating to the boundaries of counties ; others, 
to the laying out of roads; eighteen, to the organization of towns. The courts were cared for; 
school districts were organized; special tax:: were authorized, and an act passed relative to the 
sale and superintendence of the school and university lands, prescribing the powers and duties 
of the commissioners who were to have charge of the same. These commissioners, consisting 
of the secretary of state, treasurer of state, and attorney general, were not only put in charge 
of the school and university lands held by the State, but also of funds arising from the sale of 
them. This law has been many times amended and portions of it repealed. The lands at 
present subject to sale are classified as school lands, university lands, agricultural college lands, 
Marathon county lands, normal school lands, and drainage lands, and are subject to sale at 
private entry on terms fixed by law. Regulations concerning the apportionment and investment 
of trust funds are made by the commissioners in pursuance of law. All lands now the property 
of the State subject to sale, or that have been State lands and sold, were derived from the Gen- 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 67 

eral Government. Lands owned by the State amount, at the present time, to about one and one 
half million acres. 

A joint resolution passed the legislature on the 31st of March, 1849, instructing Isaac P. 
Walker to resign his seat as United States senator, for " presenting and voting for an amend- 
ment to the general appropriation bill, providing for a government in California and New Mexico, 
west of the Rio Grande, which did not contain a provision forever prohibiting the introduction 
of slavery or involuntary servitude " in those Territories. The senator refused to regard these 
instructions. The legislature adjourned on the second of April, 1849, after a session of eighty- 
three days. 

In July, 1848, the legislature of Wisconsin elected M. Frank, Charles C. Jordan, and A. W. 
Randall, commissioners to collate and revise all the public acts of the State, of a general and 
permanent nature in force at the close of the session. Randall declining to act, Charles M. 
Baker was appointed by the governor in his place. The commissioners commenced their labors 
in August, 1848, and were engaged in the revision the greater part of the time until the close of 
the session of the legislature of 1849. It was found impossible for the revisers to conclude their 
labors within the time contemplated by the act authorizing their appointment; so a joint select 
committee of the two houses at their second session was appointed to assist in the work. The 
laws revised by this committee and by the commissioners, were submitted to, and approved by, 
the legislature. These laws, with a few passed by that body, which were introduced by individual 
members, formed the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin of 1849 — a volume of over nine hundred 
pages. 

At the general election held in November of this year, Dewey was re-elected governor. 
S. W. Beall was elected lieutenant governor; William A. Barstow, secretary of state; Jairus C. 
Fairchild was re-elected treasurer ; S. Park Coon was elected attorney general ; and Eleazer 
Root, re-elected superintendent of public instruction. All these officers were chosen as dem- 
ocrats, except Root, who ran as an independent candidate, the term of his office having been 
changed so as to continue two years from the first day of January next succeeding his election. 
By the revised statutes of 1849, all State officers elected for a full term went into office on the 
first of January next succeeding their election. 

■The year 1849 developed in an increased ratio the productive capacity of the State in every 
department of labor. The agriculturist, the artisan, the miner, reaped the well-earned reward of 
his honest labor. The commercial and manufacturing interests were extended in a manner 
highly creditable to the enterprise of the people. The educational interest of the State began to 
assume a more systematic organization. The tide of immigration suffered no decrease during 
the year. Within the limits of Wisconsin, the oppressed of other climes continued to find 
welcome and happy homes. 

Second Administration. — Nelson Dewey, Governor (Second Term) — 1850, 1851. 

On the first day of January, 1850, Nelson Dewey took the oath of office, and quietly entered 
upon his duties as governor, for the second term. The third legislature convened on the ninth. 
Moses M. Strong was elected speaker of the assembly. Both houses had democratic majorities. 
Most of the business transacted was of a local character. By an act approved the fifth of Feb- 
ruary, the " January term " of the supreme court was changed to December. The legislature 
adjourned after a session of only thirty-four days. An act was passed organizing a sixth judicial 
circuit, from and after the first Monday in July, 1850, consisting of the counties of Crawford, 
Chippewa, Bad Axe, St. Croix and La Pointe, an election for judge to be holden on the same 
day. Wiram Knowlton was elected judge of that circuit. 



58 HISTORY OF ArrscoxsiN. 

The first charitable institution in Wisconsin, incorporated by the State, was the " Wisconsin 
Institute for the Education of the Blind." A school for that unfortunate class had been opened 
in Janesville, in the latter part of 1S59, receiving its support from the citizens of that place and 
vicinity. By an act of the legislature, approved February 9, 1850, this school was taken under 
the care of the Institute, to continue and maintain it, at Janesville, and to qualify, as far as might 
he, the blind of the State for the enjoyment of the blessings of a free government; for obtaining' 
the means of subsistence; and for the discharge of those duties, social and political, devolving 
upon American citizens. It has since been supported from the treasury of the State. On the 
seventh of October, 1850, it was opened for the reception of pupils, under the direction of a 
board of trustees, appointed by the governor. The Institute, at the present time, has three 
departments: in one is given instruction such as is usually taught in common schools; in 
another, musical training is imparted ; in a third, broom-making is taught to the boys, — -sewing, 
Icnitting and various kinds of fancy work to the girls, and seating cane-bottomed chairs to both 
boys and girls. On the thirteenth of April, 1874, the building of the Institute was destroyed by 
fire. A new building has since been erected. 

The taking of the census by the United States, this year, showed a population for Wisconsin 
of over three hundred and five thousand — the astonishing increase in two years of nearly ninety- 
five thousand! In 1840, the population of Wisconsin Territory was only thirty thousand. This 
addition, in ten years, of two hundred and seventy-five thousand transcended all previous 
experience in the settlement of any portion of the New World, of the same extent of territory. 
It was the result of a steady and persistent flow of men and their families, seeking permanent 
homes in the young and rising State. Many were German, Scandinavian and Irish ; but 
the larger proportion were, of course, from the Eastern and Middle States of the Union. The 
principal attractions of Wisconsin were the excellency and cheapness of its lands, its valuable 
mines of lead, its extensive forests of pine, and the unlimited wa'er- power of its numerous 
streams. 

By the Revised Statutes of 1849, Wisconsin was divided into three congressional districts — 
the second congressional apportionment — each of which was entitled to elect one representative 
in the congress of the United States. The counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth and 
Racine constituted the first district ; the counties of Rock, Green, La Fayette, Grant, Iowa, 
Dane, Sauk, Adams, Portage, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix and La Pointe, the second 
district; the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown, Winnebago, Calumet, Fond 
du Lac, Marquette, Columbia, Dodge and Jefferson, the third district. .\t the general election 
in the Autumn of this year, Charles Durkee, of the first district ; Benjamin C. Eastman, of the 
second ; and John B. Macy, of the third district, were elected to represent the State in the 
thirty-second congress of the United States. Durkee, it will be remembered, represented the 
same district in the previous congress: he ran the second time as an independent candidate. 
Eastman and Mucy were elected upon democratic tickets. The General Government this year 
donated to the State all the swamp and overflowed lands within its boundaries. 

The year 1S50 to the agriculturist of Wisconsin was not one of unbounded prosperity, 
owing to the partial failure of the wheat crop. In the other branches of agriculture there were 
fair returns. The State was visited during the year by cholera; not, however, to a very alarming 
extent. 

The fourth session of the legislature of the State commenced on the 8th of January, 
1851. P'rederick W. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. The majority in the legisla- 
ture was democratic. Governor Deweyi in his message, referred to the death of the president of 
the United States, Zachary Taylor; said that the treasury and finances of the State were in a 



I 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 69 

sound condition ; and then adverted to many topics of interest and importance to the people of 
Wisconsin. It was an able document. One of the important measures of the session was the 
election of an United States senator, in the place of Henry Dodge, whose term of office would 
expire on the 4th of March, next ensuing. In joint convention of the legislature held on the 
20th of January, Dodge was re-elected for a full term of six years. On the 2 2d, the governor 
approved a joint resolution of the legislature, rescinding not only so much of the joint resolu- 
tion of the legislative assembly of Wisconsin, passed March 31, 1849, as censured Isaac J. 
Walker, but also the instructions in those resolutions relative to his resigning his seat in the 
senate of the United States. 

Among the important bills passed at this session of the legislature was one providing for 
the location and erection of a State prison. Another one — the apportionment bill — was vetoed 
by the governor, and having been passed on the last day of the session, failed to become a law. 
The legislature adjourned on the eighteenth of March, 185 1, after a session of seventy days. 

On the ist day of January, 1851, Timothy O. Howe took his seat as one of the associate 
judges of the supreme court, he having been elected judge of the fourth circuit in place of Alex- 
ander W. Stow. The office of chief justice of the supreme court, which had been filled by Judge 
Stow, therefore became vacant, and so remained until the commencement of the next term — June 
18, 185 1 — when Levi Hubbell, judge of the second circuit, was, by the judges present, pursuant 
to the statute, elected to that office. 

By an act of the legislature approved March 14, 1851, the location and erection of a State 
prison for Wisconsin was provided for — the point afterward determined upon as a suitable 
place for its establishment being Waupun, Dodge county. By a subsequent act, the prison was 
declared to be the general penitentiary and prison of the State for the reformation as well as for 
the punishment of offenders, in which were to be confined, employed at hard labor, and governed 
as provided for by the legislature, all offenders who might be committed and sentenced accord- 
ing to law, to the punishment of solitary imprisonment, or imprisonment therein at hard labor. 
The organization and management of this the first reformatory and penal State institution in 
Wisconsin, commenced and has been continued in accordance with the demands of an advanced 
civilization and an enlightened humanity. 

On the 29th of September, 185 1, Judge Hubbell was re-elected for the full term of six years 
as judge of the second judicial circuit, to commence January i, 1852. 

At the general election in November, 1851, Leonard J. Farwell was chosen governor; 
Timothy Burns, lieutenant governor; Charles D. Robinson, secretary of State ; E. H. Janssen, 
State treasurer; E. Estabrook, attorney general; and Azel P. Ladd, superintendent of public 
instruction. All these officers were elected as democrats except Farwell, who ran as a whig ; 
his majority over D. A. J. Upham, democrat, was a little rising of five hundred. 

Third Administration. — L. J. Farwell, Governor — 1 852-1853. 

Governor Farwell's administration commenced on the fifth day of January, 1852. Previous 
to this — on the third day of the month — Edward V. Whiton was chosen by the judges of the 
supreme court, chief justice, to succeed Judge Hubbell. On the fourteenth of that month, the 
legislature assembled at Madison. This was the beginning of the fifth annual session. James 
McM. Shafter was elected speaker of the assembly. In the senate, the democrats had a 
majority ; in the assembly, the whigs. The governor, in his message, recommended the memorial- 
izing of congress to cause the agricultural lands within the State to be surveyed and brought 
into market; to cause, also, the mineral lands to be surveyed and geologically examined, and 
offered for sale ; and to make liberal appropriations for the improvement of rivers and harbors. 
The question of "bank or no bank " having been submitted to the people in November previous, 



60 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

and decided in favor of banks, under the constitution, the power was thereby given to the legis- 
lature then in session to grant bank charters, or to pass a general banking law. Farwell recom- 
mended that necessary measures be taken to carry into effect this constitutional provision. A 
larger number of laws was passed at this session than at any previous one. By a provision of 
the constitution, the legislature was given power to provide by law, if they should think it expe- 
dient and necessary, for the organization of a separate supreme court, to consist of one chief 
justice and two associate justices, to be elected by the qualified electors of the State, at such 
time and in such manner as the legislature might provide. Under this authority, an act was 
passed at this session providing for the election of a chief justice and two associates, on the last 
Monday of the September following, to form a supreme court of the State, to supplant the old 
one, provision for the change being inserted in the constitution. There was also an act passed 
to apportion and district anew the members of the senate and assembly, by which the number 
was increased from eighty-five to one hundred and seven: twenty-five for the senate; eighty- 
two for the assembly. An act authorizing the business of banking passed the legislature and 
was approved by the governor, on the 19th of April. By this law, the office of bank-comptroller 
was created — the officer to be first appointed by the governor, and to hold his office until the first 
Monday in January, 1854. At the general election in the Fall of 1853, and every two years 
thereafter, the office was to be filled by vote of the people. Governor Farwell afterward, on the 
20th of November, appointed James S. Baker to that office. The legislature adjourned on the 
nineteenth of April, 1852. 

The second charitable institution incorporated by the State was the " Wisconsin Institute 
for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb." It was originally a private school for deaf mutes, 
near, and subsequently in, the village of Delavan, Walworth county. By an act of the legislature 
approved April 19, 1852, it was made the object and duty of the corporation to establish, con- 
tinue and maintain this school for the education of the deaf and dumb, "at or near the village 
of Delavan, to qualify, as near as might be, that unfortunate class of persons for the enjoyment 
of the blessings of a free government, obtaining the means of subsistence, and the discharge of 
those duties, social and political, devolving upon American citizens." It has since been sup- 
ported by annual appropriations made by the legislature. A complete organization of the 
school was effected in June, 1852, under the direction of a board of trustees appointed by the 
governor of the State. The institute has for its design the education of such children of the 
State as, on account of deafness, can not be instructed in common schools. Instruction is given 
by signs, by the manual alphabet, by written language, and to one class by articulation. Two 
trades are taught: cabinet-making and shoe-making. 

During this year, considerable interest was manifested in the projecting of railroads. At 
the September election, E. V. Whiton was elected chief justice of the new supreme court and 
Samud Crawford and Abram D. Smith associate justices. Under the law, the chief justice was 
to serve a term of four years from the first day of June next ensuing; while the two associates 
were to cast lots — one to serve for six years, the other for two years, from June i, 1853. Craw- 
ford drew the short term — Smith the long term. At the subsequent general election for mem- 
bers to the thirty-third congress, Daniel Wells, Jr., was chosen from the first district , B. C 
Eastman from the second.- and J. B. Macy from the third district. All were democrats. A 
democratic electoral ticket was chosen at the same time. The electors cast their votes for Pierce 
and Butler. 

During 1S52, the citizens of Wisconsin enjoyed unusual prosperity in the ample products 
and remuneration of their industry and enterprise. Abundant harvests and high markets; an 
increase in moneyed circulation, and the downward tendency of the rates of interest; a prevail- 
ing confidence among business men and in business enterprises; a continual accession to the 



WISCOJ^SI?^ AS A STATE. 61 

population of the State by immigration ; the energetic prosecution of internal improvements 
under the skillful management of companies; the extension of permanent agricultural improve- 
ments; and the rapid growth of the various cities and villages; were among the encouraging 
prospects of the year. 

The sixth session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced on the twelfth of January, 1853. 
On the twenty-sixth of the same month, William K. Wilson, of Milwaukee, preferred charges 
in the assembly against Levi Hubbell, judge of the second judicial circuit of the State, of 
divers acts of corruption and malfeasance in the discharge of the duties of his office. A resolu- 
tion followed appointing a committee to report articles of impeachment, directing the members 
thereof to go to the senate and impeach Hubbell. Upon the trial of the judge before the 
senate, he was acquitted. An act was passed to provide for the election of a State prison commis- 
sioner by the legislature at that session — to hold his office until the first day of the ensuing 
January. The office was then to be filled by popular vote at the general election in November, 
1853 — and afterwards biennially — the term of office to be two years from the first day of Jan- 
uary next succeeding the election by the people. On the 28th of March, the legislature, in 
joint convention, elected John Taylor to that office. The legislature adjourned on the fourth 
day of April until the sixth of the following June, when it again met, and adjourned sine die on 
the thirteenth of July, both sessions aggregating one hundred and thirty-one days. 

By an act of the legislature approved February 9, 1853, the "Wisconsin State Agricultural 
Society," which had been organized in March, 1851, was incorporated, its object being to promote 
and improve the condition of agriculture, horticulture, and the mechanical, manufacturing and 
household arts. It was soon after taken under the fostering care of the State by an appropria- 
tion made by the legislature, to be expended by the society in such manner as it might deem 
best calculated to promote the objects of its incorporation; State aid was continued down to the 
commencement of the rebellion. No help was extended during the war nor until 1873 ; since 
which time there has been realized annually from the State a sum commensurate with its most 
pressing needs. The society has printed seventeen volumes of transactions and has held annually 
a State fair, except during the civil war. Besides these fairs, its most important work is the 
holding annually, at the capital of the State, a convention for the promotion of agriculture gen- 
erally. The meetings are largely participated in by men representing the educational and 
industrial interests of Wisconsin. 

By an act of the legislature approved March 4, 1853, the "State Historical Society of 
Wisconsin " was incorporated — having been previously organized — the object being to collect, 
embody, arrange and preserve in authentic form, a library of books, pamphlets, maps, charts, 
manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary and other materials illustrative of the history of the 
State; to rescue from oblivion the memory of its early pioneers., and to obtain and preserve 
narratives of their exploits, perils, and hardy adventures; to exhibit faithfully the antiquities, 
and the past and present condition, and resources of Wisconsin. The society was also author- 
ized to take proper steps to promote the study of history by lectures, and to diffuse and publish 
information relating to the description and history of the State. The legislature soon after took 
the society under its fostering care by voting a respectable sum for its benefit. Liberal State 
aid has been continued to the present time. The society, besides collecting a library of historical 
books and pamphlets the largest in the West, has published eight volumes of collections and a 
catalogue of four volumes. Its rooms are in the capitol at Madison, and none of its property 
can be alienated without the consent of the State. It has a valuable collection of painted por- 
traits and bound newspaperfiles; and in its cabinet are to be found many prehistoric relics. 

On the first day of June, 1853, the justices of the new supreme court went into office: Associate 



62 HISTORY OF WISCOXSI>r. 

Justice Crawford, for two years; Chief Justice Whiton, for four years, Associate Justice Smith 
for six years as previously mentioned. The first (June) term was held at Madison. La Fayette 
Kellogg was appointed and qualified as clerk. On the 21st of September, Timothy Burns, lieu- 
tenant governor of Wisconsin, died at La Crosse. As a -testimonial of respect for the deceased 
the several State departments, in accordance with a proclamation of the governor, were closed 
for one day — October 3, 1853. In the Fall of this year, democrats, whigs and free-soilers, each 
called a convention to nominate candidates for the various State offices to be supported by them 
at the ensuing election in November. The successful ticket was, for governor, William A. Bars- 
tow ; for lieutenant governor, James T. Lewis , for secretary of State, Ale.xander T. Gray, for 
State treasurer, Edward H. Janssen ; for attorney general, George B. Smith ; for superintendent 
of public instruction, Hiram A. Wright; for State prison commissioner, A. W. Starks; and 
for bank comptroller, William M. Dennis. They were all democrats. 

The year 1853 was, to the agriculturists of the State, one of prosperity. Every branch of 
industry prospered. The increase of commerce and manufactures more than realized the expec- 
tations of the most sanguine. 

Fourth Administration. — Willi.am A. Barstow, Governor— 1854-1855. 

On Monday, the second of January, 1S54, William A. Barstow took the oath of office as 
governor of Wisconsin. 

The legislature commenced its seventh regular session on the eleventh of January. Fred- 
erick W. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. Both houses were democratic. The 
legislature adjourned on the 3d of April following, after a session of eighty-three days. 

In the early part of March, a fugitive slave case greatly excited the people of Wisconsin. 
A slave named Joshua Glover, belonging to B. S. Garland of Missouri, had escaped from his 
master and made his way to the vicinity of Racine. Garland, learning the whereabouts of his 
personal chattel, came to the State, obtained, on the 9th of March, 1S54, from the judges of the 
district court of the United States for the district of Wisconsin, a warrant for the apprehension 
of Glover, which was put into the hands of the deputy marshal of the United States. Glover 
was secured and lodged in jail in Jvlilwaukee. A number of persons afterward assembled and 
rescued the fugitive. Among those who took an active part in this proceeding was Sherman M. 
Booth, who was arrested therefor and committed by a United States commissioner, but was 
released from custody by Abram D. Smith, one of the associate justices of the supreme court 
of Wisconsin, upon a writ of habeas corpus. The record of the proceedings was thereupon 
taken to that court in full bench by a writ of certiorari to correct any error that might have been 
committed before the associate justice. At the June term, 1854, the justices held that Booth 
was entitled to be discharged, because the commitment set forth no cause for detention. 

Booth was afterward indicted in the L^nited States district court and a warrant issued for 
his arrest. He was again imprisoned; and again he applied to the supreme court — then, in 
term time — for a writ of habeas corpus. This was in July, 1854. In his petition to the supreme 
court, Booth set forth that he was in confinement upon a warrant issued by the district court of 
the United States and that the object of the imprisonment was to compel him to answer an 
indictment then pending against him therein. The supreme court of the State held that these 
facts showed that the district court of the United States had obtained jurisdiction of the case 
and that it was apparent that the indictment was for an offense of which the federal courts had 
exclusive jurisdiction. They could nut therefore interfere ; and his application for a discharge 
was denied. 

Upon the indictment. Booth was tried and convicted, fined and imprisoned, for a violation 
of th- fugitive slave law. Again the prisoner applied to the supreme court of Wisconsin, — his 



■WISCOXSIX AS A STATE. 63 

last application bearing date January 26, 1S55. He claimed discharge on the ground of tiie 
unconstitutionality of the law under which he had been indicted. The supreme court held that 
the indictment upon which he had been tried and convicted contained three counts, the first of 
which was to be considered as properly charging an offense within the act of congress of Septem- 
ber 18, 1850, known as the "fugitive slave law," while the second and third counts did not set 
forth or charge an offense punishable by any statute of the United States; and as, upon these last- 
mentioned counts he was found guilty and not upon the first, he must be discharged. 

The action of the supreme court of Wisconsin in a second time discharging Booth, was 
afterward reversed by the supreme court of the United States ; and, its decision being respected 
by the State court, Booth was re-arrested in 1S60, and the sentence of the district court of the 
United States executed in part upon him, when he was pardoned by the president. 

By an act of the legislature, approved March 30, 1854, a " State Lunatic Asylum " was directed 
to be built at or in the vicinity of Madison, the capital of the State, upon land to be donated or 
purchased for that purpose. By a subsequent act, the name of the asylum was changed to the 
" Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane. This was the third charitable institution established 
by the State. The hospital was opened for patients in July, i860, under the direction of a 
board of trustees appointed by the governor. All insane persons, residents of Wisconsin, who, 
under the law providing for admission of patients into the hospital for treatment, become resi- 
dents therein, are maintained at the expense of the State, provided the county in which such 
patient resided before being brought to the hospital pays the sum of one dollar and fifty cents a 
week for his or her support. Any patient can be supported by relatives, friends or guardians, if 
the latter desire to relieve the county and State from the burden, and can have special care and 
be provided with a special attendant, if the expense of the same be borne by parties interested. 
The hospital is beautifully located on the north shore of Lake Mendota, in Dane county, about 
four miles from Madison. 

At the general election in the Fall of 1854, for members from Wisconsin to the thirty-fourth 
congress, Daniel Wells, Jr. was chosen from the first district ; C. C. Washburn, from the second, 
and Charles Billinghurst from the third district. Billinghurst and Washburn were elected as 
republicans — that party having been organized in the Summer previous. Wells was a democrat. 
The year 1854 was one of prosperity forjWisconsin, to all its industrial occupations. Abund- 
ant crops and increased prices were generally realized by the agriculturist. It was a year also of 
general health. It was ascertained that the amount of exports during the year, including lumber 
and mineral, exceeded thirteen millions of dollars. 

The eighth regular session of the State legislature commenced on the loth of January, 
1855. C. C. Sholes was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate was democratic ; the 
assembly, republican. On joint ballot, the republicans had but one majority. On the istof 
February, Charles Durkee, a republican, was elected United States senator for a full term of six 
years from the 4th of March next ensuing, to fill the place of Isaac P. Walker whose term would 
expire on that day. Among the bills passed of a general nature, was one relative to the rights of 
married women, providing that any married woman, whose husband, either from drunkenness or 
profligacy, should neglect or refuse to provide for her support, should have the right, in her own 
name, to transact business, receive and collect her own earnings, and apply the same for her own 
support, and education of her children, free from the control and interference of her husband. 
The legislature adjourned sine die on the second of April, after a session of eighty-three days. 
Orsamus Cole having been elected in this month an associate justice of the supreme court in 
place of Judge Samuel Crawford, whose term, of office would expire on the thirty-first of May of 
that year, went into office on the first day of June following, for a term of six years. His office 
would therefore end on the thirty-first of May, i86i. 



64 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

On the 27th of May, 1855, Hiram A. Wright, superintendent of public instruction, died at 
Prairie du Chien. On the i8th of June following, the governor appointed A. Constantine Barry to 
fill his place. On the 5th of July, Garland, the owner of the rescued fugitive slave Glover, 
having brought suit in the United States district court for the loss of his slave, against Booth, 
the trial came on at Madison, resulting in the jury bringing in a verdict under instructions from 
the judge, of one thousand dollars, the value of a negro slave as fixed by act of congress of 1850. 

The constitution of the State requiring the legislature to provide by law for an enumeration 
of the inhabitants in the year 1855, an act was passed by that body, approved March 31, of this 
year, for that purpose. The result showed a population for Wisconsin of over five hundred and 
fifty-two thousand. In November, at the general election, the deniocratic ticket for State offi- 
cers was declared elected: William A. Barstow, for governor; Arthur McArthur, for lieutenant 
governor; David W. Jones, for secretary of State; Charles Kuehn, for State treasurer ; Wil- 
liam R. Smith, for attorney general; A. C. Barry, for superintendent of public instruction; 
William M. Dennis, for bank comptroller; and Edward McGarry for State prison commissioner 
Tae vote for governor was very close; but the State canvassers declared Barstow elected by a 
s ;iall majority. The opposing candidate for that office was Coles Bashford, who ran as a 
republican 

The year 1855 was a prosperous one to the farmers of Wisconsin as well as to all industrial 
occupations. There were abundant crops and unexampled prices were realized. 

Fifth Administration. — Coles Bashford, Governor — 1856-185 7. 

On the seventh day of January, 1856, William A. Barstow took and subscribed an oath of 
office as governor of Wisconsin, while Coles Bashford, who had determined to contest the right 
of Barstow to the governorship, went, on the same day, to the supreme court room, in Madison, 
and had the oath of office administered to him by Chief Justice Whiton. Bashford afterward 
called at the executive office and made a formal demand of Barstow that he should vacate the 
gubernatorial chair; but the latter respectfully declined the invitation. These were the initiatory 
steps of " Bashford 'c's. Barstow," for the office of governor of Wisconsin. 

The fight now commenced in earnest. Oil the eleventh, the co.insel for Bashford called 
upon the attorney general and requested him to file an information in the nature of a gui? 
%varraiito against Barstow. On the fifteenth that officer complied with the request. Thereupon 
a summons was issued to Barstow to appear and answer. On the twenty-second, Bashford, by 
his attorney, asxed the court that the information filed by the attorney general be discontinued 
and that he be allowed to file one, which request was denied by the court. While the motion 
was being argued, Barstow, by his attorneys, entered his appearance in the case. 

On the second of February, Barstow moved to quash all proceedings for the reason that the 
court had no jurisdiction in the matter. This motion was denied by the court ; that tribunal at 
the same time deciding that the filing of the motion was an admission by Barstow that the alle- 
gations contained in the information filed by the attorney general were true. 

On the twenty-first of Febiuary, the time appointed for pleading to the information, Bar- 
stow, by his attorneys, presented to the court a stipulation signed by all the parties in the case, to 
the effect that the board of canvassers had determined Barstow elected governor; that the secre- 
tary of State had certified to his election ; and that he had taken the oath of office. They submit- 
ted to the court whether it had jurisdiction, beyond the certificates, of those facts and the canvass 
so made to inquire as to the number of votes actually given for Barstow, — Bashford offering to 
prove that the certificates were made and issued through mistake and fraud, and tliat he, instead 
of Barstow, received the greatest number of votes. This stipulation the court declined to enter- 
tain or to pass upon the questions suggested ; as they were not presented in legal form. Barstow 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 65 

was thereupon given until the twenty-fifth of February to answer the information that had been 
filed against him by the attorney general. 

On the day appointed, Barstow filed his plea to the effect that, by the laws of Wisconsin 
regulating the conducting of general election for State officers, it was the duty of the board of 
canvassers to determine who was elected to the office of governor; and that the board had found 
that he was duly elected to that office. It was a plea to the jurisdiction of the court. A demurrer 
was interposed to this plea, setting forth that the matters therein contained were not sufficient in 
law to take the case out of court ; asking, also, for a judgment against Barstow, or that he answer 
further the information filed against him. The demurrer was sustained ; and Barstow was 
required to answer over within four days; at the expiration of which time the counsel for Barstow 
withdrew from the case, on the ground, as they alleged, that they had appeared at the bar of the 
court to object to the jurisdiction of that tribunal in the matter, and the court had determined 
to proceed with the case, holding and exercising full and final jurisdiction over it; and that the) 
could take no further steps without conceding the right of that tribunal so to hold. Thereupon, 
on the eighth of March, Barstow entered a protest, by a communication to the supreme court, 
against any further interference with the department under his charge by that tribunal, " either 
by attempting to transfer its powers to another or direct the course of executive action." The 
counsel for Bashford then moved for judgment upon the default of Barstow. 

A further hearing of the case was postponed until March i8, when the attorney general 
filed a motion to dismiss the proceedings ; against which Bashford, by his counsel, protested as 
being prejudicial to his rights. It was the opinion of the court that the attorney general could 
not dismiss the case, that every thing which was well pleaded for Bashford in his information was 
confessed by the default of Barstow. By strict usage, a final judgment ought then to have fol- 
lowed ; but the court came to the conclusion to call uponBashford to bring forward proof, showing 
his right to the office. Testimony was then adduced at length, touching the character of the 
returns made to the State canvassers; after hearing of which it was the opinion of the court that 
Bashford had received a plurality of votes for governor and that there must be a judgment in 
his favor and one of ouster against Barstow ; which were rendered accordingly. 

The ninth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced on the ninth of 
January, 1856. William Hull was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate had a repub- 
lican majority, but the assembly was democratic. On the eleventh Barstow sent in a message to 
a joint convention of the two houses. On the twenty-first of March he tendered to the legisla- 
ture his resignation as governor, giving for reasons the action of the supreme court in " Bashford 
vs. Barstow," which tribunal was then hearing testimony in the case. On the same day Arthur 
McArthur, lieutenant governor, took and subscribed an oath of office as governor of the State, 
afterwards sending a message to the legislature, announcing that the resignation of Barstow 
made it his duty to take the reins of government. On the twenty-fifth, Bashford called on 
McArthur, then occupying the executive office, and demanded possession — at the same time 
intimating that he preferred peaceable measures to force, but that the latter would be employed 
if necessary. The lieutenant governor thereupon vacated the chair, when the former took the 
gubernatorial seat, exercising thereafter the functions of the office until his successor was elected 
and qualified. His right to the seat was recognized by the senate on the twenty-fifth, and by liie 
assembly on the twenty-seventh of March, 1856. This ended the famous case of " Bashford t'S. 
Barstow," the first and only " war of succession " ever indulged in by Wisconsin. 

The legislature, on the thirty-first of March, adjourned over to the third of September^ to 
dispose of a congressional land grant to the State. Upon re-assembling, an important measure 
was taken up — that of a new apportionment for the legislature. It was determined to increase the 



66 HISTORY OF WISCOJiTSIX. 

number of members from one hundred and seven to one hundred and twenty-seven. The session 
closed on the thirteenth of October. The general election for members to the thirty-fifth congress, 
held in November, resulted in the choice of John H. Potter, from the first district ; C. C. Washburn 
from the second ; and Charles Billinghurst, from the third district. They were all elected as 
republicans. The presidential canvass of this year was an exciting one in the State. The 
republicans were successful. Electors of that party cast their five votes for Fremont and 
Dayton. 

The year 1S56 was not an unprosperous one, agriculturally speaking, although in some 
respects decidedly unfavorable. In many districts the earlier jwrt of the season was exceedingly 
dry, which materially diminished the wheat crop. Other industrial interests were every where 
in a flourishing condition. 

The legislature commenced its tenth regular session at Madison, on the fourteenth day of 
January, 1857, with a republican majority in both houses. Wyman Spooner was elected speaker 
of the assembly. For the first time since the admission of the State into the Union, a majority of 
the members of both houses, together with the governor, were opposed to the democratic par'y. 
On the twenty-third the senate and assembly met in joint convention, for the purpose of electing 
a United States senator in place of Henry Dodge, whose term of office would expire on the 
fourth of March next ensuing. James R. Doolittle, republican, was the successful candidate for 
that office, for a full term of six years, from the fourth of March, 1857. The legislature 
adjourned on the ninth of March, 1857. At the Spring election. Judge Whiton was re-elected 
chief justice of the supreme court for a term of six years. 

The second reformatory State institution established in Wisconsin, was, by an act of the 
legislature, approved March 7, 1857, denominated a House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents, 
afterward called the State Reform School, now known as the Wisconsin Industrial School for 
Boys, and is located at Waukesha, the county seat of Waukesha county. The courts and 
several magistrates in any county in Wisconsin may, in their discretion, sentence to this school 
any male child between the ages of ten and sixteen years, convicted of vagrancy, petit larceny, 
or any misdemeanor; also of any offense which would otherwise be punishable by imprisonment 
in the State prison ; or, of incorrigible or vicious conduct in certam cases. The term of commit- 
ment must be to the age of twenty-one years. 

At the State election held in November of this year, the republicans elected A. W. Randall 
governor; S. D. Hastings, State treasurer, and Edward M. McGraw, State prison commis- 
sioner. The deinocrats elected E. D. Campbell, lieutenant governor; D. W. Jones, secretary 
of State ; Gabriel Bouck, attorney general ; L. C. Draper, superintendent of public instruc- 
tion, and J. C. Squires, bank comptroller. 

The year 1857 was a disastrous one to Wisconsin, as well as to the whole country, in a finan- 
cial point of view. Early in the Fall a monetary panic swept over the land. A number of 
prominent operators in the leading industrial pursuits were obliged to succumb. Agriculturally 
the year was a fair one for the State. 

Sixth Administration. — Alexander W. Randall, Governor — 1858-1859. 

Randall's administration began on the fourth day of January, 1S58, when for the first time 
he was inaugurated governor of the State. On the eleventh of January the legislature 
commenced its eleventh regular session, with a republican majority in both houses. Frederick 
S. Lovell was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature adjourned sine die on the 
seventeenth of March, after an unusually long session of one hundred and twenty-five days. " That 
a large majority of the members were men of integrity, and disposed for the public weal, can not 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 67 

be doubted ; but they were nearly all new members, and without former legislative experience. 
They set out to accomplish a great good, by holding up to public scorn and execration the whole- 
sale briberies and iniquities of the immediate past ; but they lacked concentration of effort, and. 
for want of union and preconcerted action, they failed to achieve the great triumph they sought, 
by providing a ' sovereign remedy ' for the evils they exposed." 

At the regular session of the legislature of 1856, an act was passed for a general revisi-n of 
the laws of the State. Under this, and a subsequent act of the adjourned session of that year, 
three commissioners — David Taylor, Samuel J. Todd, and F. S. Lovell — were appointed "to 
collect, compile and digest the general laws " of Wisconsin. Their report was submitted to the 
legislature of 1858, and acted upon at a late day of the session. The laws revised, which received 
the sanction of the legislature, were published in one volume, and constitute what is know as the 
Revised Statutes of i8j8. 

At the Fall election, John F. Potter from the first district, and C. C. Washburn from the 
second district, both republicans, were elected to the thirty-sixth congress ; while C. H. 
Larrabee, democrat, was elected to represent the third district. 

The twelfth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced on the twelfth of 
January, 1859, with a republican majority in both houses. William P. Lyon was elected speaker 
of the assembly. The legislature adjourned sine die on the twenty-first of March, 1859, after a 
session of sixty-nine days. At the regular spring election, Byron Paine was chosen associate 
justice of the supreme court, for a full term of six years, as the successor of Associate Justice 
Smith. As it was a question when the term of the latter ended — ^ whether on the 31st day of 
May, 1859, or on the first Monday in January, i860 — he went through with the formality of 
resigning his office, and the governor of appointing Paine as his successor, on the 20th of June, 
1859. On the twelfth of April, 1859, Edward V. \\'hiton, chief justice of the supreme court, 
died at his residence in Janesville. The office was filled by executive appointment on the 19th 
of the same month — the successor of Judge \V hiton being Luther S. Dixon. Late in the Sum- 
mer both political parties put into the field a full state ticket. The republicans were successful 
— electing for governor, Alexander W. Randall; for lieutenant governor, B. G. Noble; for 
secretary of state, L. P. Harvey ; for state treasurer, S. D. Hastings, for attorney general, James 
H. Howe; for bank comptroller, G. Van Steenwyck ; for superintendent of public instruction, 
J. L. Pickard; for state prison commissioner, H. C. Heg. • 

Seventh Administration. — i\LE.\ANDER W. Randall, Governor (second term), 1860-1861. 

Alexander W. Randall was inaugurated the second time as governor of Wisconsin, on 
Monday, January 2, i860. One week subsequent, the thirteenth regular session of the legis- 
lature commenced at Madison. For the first time the republicans had control, not only of all 
the State offices, but also of both branches of the legislature. William P. Lyon was elected 
speaker of the assembly. A new assessment law was among the most important of the acts 
passed at this session. The legislature adjourned on the second of April. At the spring elec- 
tion, Luther S. Di.xon, as an independent candidate, was elected chief justice of the supreme 
court for the unexpired term of the late Chief Justice Whiton. In the presidential election which 
followed, republican electors were chosen — casting their five votes, in the electoral college, for 
Lincoln and Hamlin. At the same election, John F. Potter, from the first district ; Luther 
Hanchett, from the second, and A. Scott Sloan, from the third district, were elected members of 
the thirty-seventh congress. Hanchett died on the twenty-fourth of November, 1862, when, 
on the twentieth of December following, W. D. Mclndoe was elected to fill the vacancy. .\11 
these congressional representatives were republicans. Wisconsin, in 1S60, was a strong repub- 



68 HISTORY OF AVISCONSIX. 

lican State. According to the census of this yea-, it had a population of over seven hundred 
and seventy-seven thousand. 

On the ninth of January, 1861, the fourteenth regular session of the State legislature com- 
menced at Madison. Both branches were republican. Amasa Cobb was elected speaker of the 
assembly. On the tenth, both houses met in joint convention to hear the governor read his 
annual message. It was a remarkable document. Besides giving an e.xcellent synopsis of the 
operations of the State government for i860, the governor entered largely into a discussion of 
the question of secession and disunion, as then proposed by some of the southern states of the 
Union. These are his closing words : 

" The right of a State to secede from the Union can never be admitted. The National 
Government can not treat with a State while it is in the Union, and particularly while it stands 
in an attitude hostile to the Union. So long as any State assumes a position foreign, inde- 
pendent and hostile to the government, there can be no reconciliation. The government of the 
United States can not treat with one of its own States as a foreign power. The constitutional 
laws extend over every Stat^ alike. They are to be enforced in every State alike. A State can 
not come into the Union as it pleases, and go out when it pleases. Once in, it must stay until 
the Union is destroyed. There is no coercion of a State. But where a faction of a people arrays 
itself, not against one act, but against all laws, and against all government, there is but one 
answer to be made : ' Tlu Government must be sustained ; the laius shall he enforced ! ' " 

On the twenty-third of January the legislature met in joint convention to elect a United 
States senator to fill the place of Charles Durkee, whose term of office would expire on the 
fourth of Ma;ch next ensuing. The successful candidate was Timothy O. Howe, republican, 
who was elected for a full term of six years from the 4th of March, 1861. One of the important 
acts passed at this session of the legislature apportioned the State into senate and assembly 
districts, by which the whole number of members in both houses was increased from one hun- 
dred and twenty-seven to one hundred and thirty-three. Another act apportioned the State into 
six congressional districts instead of three. By this — the third congressional apportionment — 
each district was to elect one representative. The first district was composed of the counties 
of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha ; the second, of the counties of Rock, 
Jefferson, Dane, and Columbia; the tliird, of Green, La Fayette, Iowa, Grant, Crawford, Rich- 
land, and Sauk; the fourth, of Ozaukee, Washington, Dodge, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan; the 
fifth, Manitowoc, Calumet, Winnebago, Green Lake, Marquette, Waushara, Waupaca, Outa- 
gamie, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Oconto, and Shawano; and the sixth, of the counties of Bad 
Axe, La Crosse, M nroe, Juneau, Adams, Portage, Wood, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, 
Pierce, St. Croix, Dunn, Eau Claire, Clark, Marathon, Chippewa, Dallas, Polk, Burnett, Douglas, 
La Pointe, and Ashland. The legislature adjourned on the seventeenth of April, 1861. 

At the spring elections of this year, Orsamus Cole was re-elected as associate justice of the 
siipreme court. On the ninth of May following. Governor Randall issued a proclamation convening 
the legislature in extra session on the fifteenth of the same month. " The extraordinary condition 
of the country," said he, " growing out of the rebellion against the government of the United 
States, makes it necessary that the legislature of this State be convened in special session, to 
provide more completely for making the power of the State useful to the government and to 
other loyal States." The fifteenth or extra session began on the fifteenth of May, as designated 
in the governor's proclamation. The message of the governor was devoted entirely to the war. 
'' At the close of the last annual session of the legislature," said he, " to meet a sudden emer- 
gency, an act was passed authorizing me to respond to the call of the president of the United 
States, ' for aid in maintaining the Union and the suj^remacy of the laws, or to suppress rebellion 



WTSCO^fSIN AS A STATE. 69 

or insurrection, or lo repel inva ion within the United States,' and I was authorized, and it was 
made my duty, to take such measures as, in my judgment, should provide in the speediest and 
most efficient manner for responding to such call : and to this end I was authorized to accept 
the services of volunteers for active service, to be enrolled in companies of not less than 
seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies each. I was also 
authorized to provide for uniforming and equipping such companies as were not provided with 
uniforms and equipments." " The first call of the president for immediate active service," con- 
tinued the governor, " was for one regi;nent of men. My proclamation, issued immediately after the 
passage of the act of the legislature, was answered within less than ten days, by companies enough, 
each containing the requisite number of men, to make up at least five regiments instead of o e. 
I then issued another proclamation, announcing the offers that had been made, and advising 
that thereafter companies might be enrolled to stand as minute men, ready to answer further 
calls, as they might be made, but without expense to the State, except as they were mustered 
into service. In less than one month from the date of my first proclamation, at least five thou- 
sand men, either as individuals or enrolled companies, have offered their services for the war, 
and all appear anxious for active service in the field." " The time for deliberation," concludes 
the governor, " must give way to the lime for action. The constitution of the United States 
must be sustained in all its first intent and wholeness. The right of the people of every State 
to go into every other State and engage in any lawful pursuit, without unlawful interference or 
molestation; the freedom of speech and of the press; the right of trial by jury; security from 
unjustifiable seizure of persons or papers, and all constitutional privileges and immunities, must 
receive new guarantees of safety." 

The extra session of the legislature passed, wtih a single exception, no acts except such as 
appertained to the military exigencies of the times. Both houses adjourned sine die on the 
twenty-seventh of May, iS6i. As the administration of Governor Randall would close with the 
year, and as he was not a candidate for re-election, there was much interest felt throughout the 
State as to who his successor should be. Three State tickets were put in nomination : union, 
republican, and democratic. The republican ticket was successful, electing Louis P. Harvey, 
governor; Edward Salomon, lieutenant governor; James T. Lewis, secretary of state; S. D. 
Hastings, state treasurer; James H. Howe, attorney general; W. H. Ramsey, bank comp- 
troller; J. L. Pickard, superintendent of public instruction; and A. P. Hodges, state prison 
commissioner. 

The War of Secession — Last Year of Randall's Administration. 

When Wisconsin was first called upon to aid the General Government in its efforts to 
sustain itself against the designs of the secession conspirators, the commercial affairs of the 
State were embarrassed to a considerable degree by the depreciation of the currency. The 
designs of the secessionists were so far developed at the ending of the year i860 as to show that 
resistance to the national authority had been fully determined on. It is not a matter of wonder, 
then, that Governor Randall in his message to the legislature, early in January, 1861, should 
have set forth the dangers which threatened the Union, or should have denied the right of a 
State to secede from it. "Secession," said he, "is revolution; revolution is war ; war against 
the government of the United States is treason." " It is time," he continued, "now, to know 
whether we have any government, and if so, whether it has any strength. Is our written 
constitution more than a sheet of parchment.' The nation must be lost or preserved by its own 
strength. Its strength is in the patriotism of the people. It is time now that politicians became 
Datriots; that men show their love of country by every sacrifice, but that of principle, and by 



70 iriSTOEY OF TVTSCOXSIX. 

unwavering devotion to its interests and integrity." "The hopes," added the governor, most 
eloquently, " of civilization and Christianity are suspended now upon the answer to this question 
of dissolution. The capacity for, as well as the ngiit of, self-government is to pass its ordeal, 
and speculation to become certainty. Other systems have been tried, and have failed ; and all 
along, the skeletons of nations have been strewn, as warnings and land-marks, upon the great 
highway of historic overnment. Wisconsin is true, and her people steadfast. She will not 
destroy the Union, nor consent that it shall be done. Devised by great, and wise, and good 
men, in days of sore trial, it must stand. Like some bold mountain, at whose base the great seas 
break their angry floods, and around whose summit the thunders of a thousand hurricanes have 
rattled — strong, unmoved, immovable — so may our Union be, while treason surges at its base, 
and passions rage around it, unmoved, immovable — here let it stand forever." These are the 
words of an exalted and genuine patriotism. But the governor did not content himself with 
eloquence alone. He came down to matters of business as well. He urged the necessity of 
legislation that would give more efficient organization to the militia of the State. He warned 
the legislators to make preparations also for the coming time that should try the souls of men. 
"The signs of the times," said he, " indicate that there may arise a contingency in the condition 
of the government, when it will become necessary to respond to a call of the National Government 
for men and means to maintain the integrity of the Union, and to thwart the designs of men 
engaged in organized treason. While no unnecessary expense should be incurred, yet it is the 
part of wisdom, both for individuals and States, in revolutionary times, to be prepared to defend 
our institutions to the last extremity." It was thus the patriotic governor gave evidence to the 
members of both houses that he " scented the battle afar off." 

On the 1 6th of January, a joint resolution of the legislature was passed, declaring that the 
people of Wisconsin are ready to co-operate with the friends of the Union every where for its 
preservation, to yield a cheerful obedience to its requirements, and to demand a like obedience 
from all others ; that the legislature of Wisconsin, profoundly impressed with the value of the 
Union, and determined to preserve it unimpaired, hail with joy the recent firm, dignified and 
patriotic special message of the president of the United States; that they tender to him, through 
the chief magistrate of their own State, whatever aid, in men and money, may be required to 
enable him to enforce the laws and uphold the authority of the Federal Government, and in 
defense of the more perfect Union, which has conferred prosperity and happiness on the 
American people. " Renewing," said they, "the pledge given and redeemed by our fathers, we 
are ready to devote our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honors in upholding the Union and 
the constitution." 

The legislature, in order to put the State upon a kind of " war footing," passed an act for 
its defense, and to aid in enforcing the laws and maintaining the authority of the General 
Government. It was under this act that Governor Randall was enabled to organize the earlier 
regiments of Wisconsin. By it, in case of a call from the president of the United States to aid 
in maintaining the Union and the supremacy of the laws to suppress rebellion or insurrection, or 
to repel invasion within the United States, the governor was authorized to provide, in the most 
efficient manner, for responding to such call — to accept the services of volunteers for service, 
in corhpanies of seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies each, 
and to commission officers for them. The governor was also authorized to contract for 
uniforms and equipments necessary .for putting such companies into active service. One 
hundred thousand dollars were appropriated for war purposes; and bonds were authorized to 
be issued for that amount, to be negotiated by the governor, for raising funds. It will be seen, 
therefore, that the exigencies of the times — for Fort Su.nter had not yet been surrendered — 



WISCOJS'SIN AS A STATE. 71 

were fully met by the people's representatives, they doing their whole duty, as they tlien under- 
stood it, in aid of the perpetuity of the Union. 

Having defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four hours, until the quarters were entirely burned, 
the main gates destroyed, the gorge-wall seriously injured, the magazine surrounded by flames, 
and its door closed from the effects of the heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only 
being available, and no provisions but pork remaining, Robert Anderson, major of the first 
artillery, United States army, accepted terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard, 
marched out of the fort on Sunday afternoon, the fourteenth of April, 1861, with colors flying 
and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting his flag with fifty guns. 
This, in brief, is the story of the fall of Sumter and the opening act of the War of the Rebellion. 
" Whereas," said Abraham Lincoln, president, in his proclamation of the next day, " the 
laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution 
thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, 
Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of 
judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law." Now, in view of that 
fact, he called forth the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of 
seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress those combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly 
executed. " A call is made on you by to-night's mail for one regiment of militia for immediate 
service," telegraphed the secretary of war to Randall, on the same day. 

In Wisconsin, as elsewhere, the public pulse quickened under the excitement of the fall of 
Sumter. "The dangers which surrounded the nation awakened the liveliest sentiments of 
patriotism and devotion. For the time, party fealty was forgotten in the general desire to save 
the nation. The minds of the people soon settled into the conviction that a bloody war was at 
hand, and that the glorious fabric of our National Government, and the principles upon which 
it is founded, were in jeopardy, and with a determination unparalleled in the history of any 
country, they rushed to its defense. On every hand the National flag could be seen displayed, 
and the public enthusiasm knew no bounds; in city, town, and hamlet, the burden on every 
tongue was war." "We have never been accustomed," said Governor Randall, " to consider the 
military arm as essential to the maintenance of our government, but an exigency has arisen 
that demands its employment." "The time has come," he continued, " when parties and plat- 
forms must be forgotten, and all good citizens and patriots unite together in putting down rebels 
and traitors." "What is money,'' he asked, "what is life, in the presence of such a crisis ? " 
Such utterances and such enthusiasm coulc} but have their effect upon the legislature, which, it 
will be remembered, was still in session ; so, although that body had already voted to adjourn, 
sine die, on the fifteenth of April, yet, when the moment arrived, and a message from the governor 
was received, announcing that, owing to the extraordinary exigencies which had arisen, an amend- 
ment of the law of the thirteenth instant was necessary, the resolution to adjourn was at once 
rescinded. The two houses thereupon not only increased the amount of bonds to be issued to 
two hundred thousand dollars, but they also passed a law exempting from civil process, during 
the time of service, all persons enlisting and mustering into the United States army from Wis- 
consin. When, on the seventeenth, the legislature did adjourn, the scene was a remarkable one. 
Nine cheers were given for the star spangled banner and three for the Governor's Guard, who 
had just then tendered their services — the first in the State — under the call for a regiment of 
men for three months' duty. 

" For the first time in the history of this federal government," are the words of the gover- 
nor, in a proclamation issued on the sixteenth of .Vpril, "organized treason has manifested itself 
within several States of the Union, and armed rebels are making war against it." "The 
treasuries of the country," .said he, " must no longer be plundered; the public property must be 



72 HISTORY OF "VTISCOXSIX 

protected from aggressive violence ; that already seized must be retaken, and the laws must 
be executed in every State of the Union alike." "A demand," he added, " made upon Wiscon- 
sin by the president of the United States, for aid to sustain the federal arm, must meet with a 
prompt response." The patriotism of the State was abundantly exhibited in their filling up 
a regiment before some of the remote settlements had any knowledge of the call. On the twenty- 
second. Governor Randall reported to the secretary of war that the First regiment was ready 
to go into rendezvous. The place designated was "Camp Scott," at Milwaukee; the day, the 
twenty-seventh of April. Then and there the several companies assembled— the regiment after- 
ward completing its organization. 

With a wise foresight. Governor Randall ordered, as a reserve force and in advance of another 
call for troops by the president, the formation of two more regiments — the Second and Third, 
and, eventually, the Fourth. Camps at Madison, Fond du Lac, and Racine, were formed for 
their reception, where suitable buildings were erected for their accommodation. Companies 
assigned to the Second regiment were ordered to commence moving into "Camp Randall," at 
Madison, on the first day of May. On the seventh, the secretary of war, under call of the presi- 
dent of the United States for forty-two thousand additional volunteers — this time for three years, 
or during the war — telegraphed Governor Randall that no more three months' volunteers were 
wanted; that such companies as were recruited must re-enlist for the new term or be disbanded. 

At the extra session of the legislature of Wisconsin, which, as already mentioned, com- 
menced on the fifteenth of May, called by Governor Randall immediately upon his being notified 
of the second call of the president for troops, on the third of May, the law hurriedly passed at 
the close of the regular session, and under which the governor had organized the First regi- 
ment, was found inadequate to meet the second call for troops. " A bill was introduced, and became 
a law, authorizing the governor to raise six regiments of infantry, inclusive of those he had organ- 
ized or placed at quarters. When the six regiments were mustered into the United States service, 
he was authorized to raise two additional regiments, and thus to keep two regiments continually 
in reserve to meet any future call of the General Government. He was authorized to quarter 
and subsist volunteers at rendezvous — to transport, clothe, subsist and quarter them in camp at 
tlie expense of the State. Arms and munitions were to be furnished by the United States. 
Recruits were to be mustered into State service, and into United States service, for three years. 
Two assistant surgeons to each regiment were to be appointed, and paid by the State. The regi- 
ments, as they came into camp, were to be instructed in drill and various camp duties, to secure 
efficiency in the field. The troops, so called in, were to be paid monthly by the State, the same 
pay and emoluments as the soldiers in the United States army, from the date of enlistment. The 
paymaster general was authorized to draw funds from the State treasury for the payment of 
the State troops, and the expense incurred in subsisting, transporting and clothing them. The 
governor was authorized to i>urchase military stores, subsistence, clothing, medicine, field and 
camp equipage, and the sum of one million dollars was appropriated to enable the governor to 
carry out the law." 

Other laws were passed relating to military matters. One authorized the governor to pur- 
chase two thousand stand of arms; and fifty thousand dollars were appropriated to pay lor the 
same. Another authorized counties, towns, cities and incorjxirated villages to levy taxes for 
the purpose of providing for the support of families of volunteers residing in their respective 
limits. The one passed at the previous session, exempting volunteers from civil process vhile in 
the service, was amended so as to include all who might thereafter enlist. One granted five dollars 
per month as extra pay to enlisted volunteers having families dependent upon them for support, 
payable to their families. Another authorized the governor to employ such aids, clerks and 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 73 

messengers, as he deemed necessary for the public interests. Still another authorized the pay- 
ment of those who had enlisted for three months, but had declined to go in for three years. 
The expenses of the extra session were ordered to be paid out of the " war fund." One million 
dollars in bonds were authorized to be issued for war purposes to form that fund. The governor, 
secretary of state and state treasurer were empowered to negotiate them. By a joint resolu- 
tion approved the twenty-first of May, the consent of the legislature was given to the governor 
to be absent from the State during the war, for as long a time as in his discretion he might think 
proper or advisable, in connection with the military forces of the State. For liberality, zeal and 
genuine patriotism, the members of the Wisconsin legislature, for the year 1861, deserve a high 
commendation. All that was necessary upon their final adjourninent at the close of the extra 
session to place the State upon a " war footing," was the organization by the governor of the 
various military departments. These he effected by appointing Brigadier General William L. 
Utley, adjutant general ; Brigadier General W. W. Tredway, quartermaster general ; Colonel 
Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general ; Brigadier General Simeon Mills, paymaster gen- 
eral; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; Major E. L. Buttrick, judge advocate; 
and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary. 

On the seventeenth of May, the First regiment, at "Camp Scott," was mustered into the 
United States service, and the war department informed that it awaited marching orders. The 
regimental officers were not all in accordance with the law and mode adopted afterwards. On 
the seventh of the month Governor Randall had appointed Rufus King a brigadier general, and 
assigned the First, Second, Third and Fourth regiments to his command as the Wisconsin 
brigade ; although at that date only the First and Second had been called into camp. This 
brigade organization was not recognized by the General Government. The secretary of war 
telegraphed the governor of Wisconsin that the quota of the State, under the second call ol the 
president, was two regiments — so that the whole number under both calls was only three — one 
(the First) for three months, two (the Second and Third) for three years. Notwithstanding this. 
Governor Randall proceeded to organize the Fourth. 

As a number of the companies ordered into " Camp Randall " on the first day of May to 
form the Second regiment had only enlisted for three months, the order of the secretary of war 
of the seventh of that month making it imperative that all such companies must re-enlist for 
three years or during the war, or be disbanded, the question of extending their term of enlist- 
ment was submitted to the companies of the regiment, when about five hundred consented to 
the change. The quota of the regiment was afterward made r.p, and the whole mustered into 
the service of the United States for three years or during the war, under the president's second 
call for troops. This was on the eleventh of June, 1861. The Third regiment having had its 
companies assigned early in May, they were ordered in June into "Camp Hamilton" at Fond 
du Lac, where the regiment was organized, and, on the twenty-ninth of June, mustered into the 
United States' service as a three years regiment. This filled Wisconsin's quota under the second 
call of President Lincoln. By this time war matters in the State began to assume a systematic 
course of procedure — thanks to the patriotism of the people, the wisdom of the legislature, and 
the untiring energy and exertions of the governor and his subordinates. 

The determination of the secretary of war to accept from W'isconsin only two three-years 
regiments under the second call for troops was soon changed, and three more were authorized, 
making it necessary to organize the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth. The Fourth was called into "Camp 
Utley " at Racine on the sixth of June, and was mustered into the service of the United States 
on the ninth of the foUo-.'ing month. By the twenty-eighth of June, all the comjianies of the 
Fifth had assembled at " Camp Randall," and on the thirteenth of July were mustered in as 



'•* HISTORY OF WISCO^TSIX. 

United States troops. By the first of July, at the same place, the complement for the Sixth 
regiment had been made up, and the companies were mustered for three Vi-'^rs into the service 
of the General Government, on the sixteenth of the same month. Governor Randall did not 
stop the good work when six regiments had been accepted, but assigned the necessary companies 
to form two more regiments — the Seventh and Eighth; however, he wisely concluded not to call 
them into camp until after harvest, unless specially required to do so. " If they are needed 
sooner," said the governor, in a letter to the president on the first of July, " a call will be imme- 
diately responded to, and we shall have their uniforms and equipments ready for them." " By 
the authority of our legislature," added the writer, 'I shall, after the rjiiddle of August, keep 
two regiments ecjuipped and in camp ready for a call to service, and will have them ready at an 
earlier day if needed." 

.A.bout the latter part of June, W. P. Alexander, of Beloit, a good marksman, was commis- 
sioned captain to raise a company of sharpsiiooters for Berdan's regiment. He at once engaged 
in the work. The company was filled to one hundred and three privates and three officers. It 
left the State about the middle of September under Captain .\lcxander, and was mustered into 
the service at Wehawken on the twenty-third da}' of that month, as Company "G " of Berdan's 
regiment of sharpshooters. On the twenty-sixth of July, a commission was issued to G. Van 
Deutsch of Milwaukee, to raise a company of cavalry. He succeeded in filling his companj' to 
eighty-four men.' He left the State in September, joining Fremont. The company was after- 
ward attached to the fifth cavalry regiment of Missouri. 

About the 20th of August, Governor Randall was authorized to organize and equip as rapidly 
as possible five regiments of infantry and five batteries of artillery, and procure for them necessary 
clothing and equipments according to United States regulations and prices, subject to the inspec- 
tion of officers of the General Government. The five regiments were to be additional to the 
eight already raised. One regiment was to be German. During the last week of August the 
comjjanies of the Seventh regiment were ordered into "Camp Randall," at Madison. They were 
mustered into the service soon after arrival. On the 28th of August orders were issued for the 
reorganization of the First regiment for three years, its term of three months having expired. 
The secretary of war having signified his acceptance of the regiment for the new term, its mus- 
tering into the service was completed on the nineteenth of October. This made six infantry regi- 
ments in addition to the eight already accepted, or fourteen in all. On the same day orders were 
issued assigning companies to the Eighth regiment, — the whole moving to " Camp Randall," at 
Madison, tlie first week in September, where their mustering in was finished on the thirteentli. 

The Ninth, a German reginent, was recruited in squads, and sent into camp, where they were 
formed into companies, and the whole mustered in on the 26th of October, i86i,at " Camp Sigel," 
Milwaukee. Companies were assigned the Tenth regiment on the i8th of September, and 
ordered into camp at Milwaukee, where it was fully organized about the first of October, being 
mustered into the service on the fourteenth of that month. The Tenth infantry was enlisted in 
September, 1S61, and mustered in on the fourteenth of October, 1861, at "Camp Holton," Mil- 
waukee. The Eleventh regiment was called by companies into " Camp Randall " the latter pari 
of September and first of October, 1861, and mustered in on the eighteenth. The Twelfth was 
called in to the same camp and mustered in by companies between the twenty-eighth of October 
and the fifth of November, 1861. The Thirteenth rendezvoused at "Camp Treadway," Janes- 
viUe, being mustered into the United States service on the seventeenth of October, 1S61. These 
thirteen regiments were all that had been accepted and mustered into the United States serv'^e 
while Randall was governor. 

From the commencement of the rebellion a great desire had been manifested for the orpan- 



"wiscoisrsi^r as a state. 75 

ization of artillery companies in Wisconsin, and this desire was finally gratified. Each battery 
was to number one hundred and fifty men, and, as has been shown, five had been authorized by 
the General Government to be raised in Wisconsin. The First battery was recruited at La 
Crosse, under the superintendence of Captain Jacob T. Foster, and was known as the " La Crosse 
Artillery." It rendezvoused at Racine^early in October, 1861, where on tlie tenth of that month, 
it was mustered into the United States service. The Second battery. Captain Ernest Herzberg, 
assembled at '' Camp Utley," Racine, and was mustered in with the First battery on the tenth. 
The Third, known as the " Badger Battery," was organized by Captain L. H. Drury, at Madison 
and Berlin, and was mustered into the service on the same day and at the same place as the First 
and Second. The Fourth battery, recruited and organized at Beloit, under the supervision of 
Captain John F. Vallee, was mustered in on the first of October, 1861, at Racine. The Fifth 
battery was recruited at Monroe, Green county, under the superintendence of Captain Oscar F- 
Pinney, moving afterward to " Camp Utley," Racine, where, on the first of October, it was mus- 
tered in, along with the Fourth. So brisk had been the recruiting, it was ascertained by the 
governor that seven companies had been raised instead of five, when the secretary of war was 
telegraphed to, and the extra companies — the Sixth and Seventh accepted ; the Sixth, known as 
the " Buena Vista Artillery," being recruited at Lone Rock, Richland county, in September, 
Captain Henry Dillon, and mustered in on the second of October, 1861, at Racine; the Seventh, 
known as the "Badger State Flying Artillery," having organized at Milwaukee, Captain Richard 
R. Griffiths, and mustered in on the fourth of the same month, going into camp at Racine on the 
eighth. This completed the mustering in of the first seven batteries, during Governor Randall's 
administration; the whole mustered force being thirteen regiments of infantry; one company of 
cavalry; one of sharpshooters ; and these seven artillery companies. "Wisconsin," said the go\- 
ernor, in response to a request as to the number of regiments organized, " sent one regiment 
for three months, — officers and men eight hundred and ten. The other regiments f )r the war up 
to the Thirteenth (including the First, re-organized), will average one thousand men each; one 
company of sharpshooters for Berdan's regiment, one hundred and three men ; and seven 
companies of light artillery." Of cavalry from Wisconsin, only Deutsch's company had been 
mustered into the United States, although three regiments had been authorized by the General 
Government before the close of Randall's administration. The governor, before the expiration 
of his office, was empowered to organize more artillery companies — ten in all ; and five additional 
regiments of infantry — making the whole number eighteen. On the tenth of December, he 
wrote : " Our Fourteenth infantry is full and in camp. * * * Fifteenth has five companies 
in camp, and filling up. Sixteenth has eight companies in camp, and will be full by the 2Sth ot 
December. Seventeenth has some four hundred men enlisted. Eighteenth will be in camp, full, 
by January i. Seven maximum companies of artillery in camp. * * * Three regiments ol 
cavalry — two full above the maximum; the third, about eight hundred men in camp." It 
will be seen, therefore, that a considerable number of men in the three branches of the service 
was then in camp that had not been mustered into the service ; and this number was considerably 
increased by the 6th of January, 1862, the day that Randall's official term expired; but no more 
men were mustered in, until his successor came into office, than those previously mentioned. 

The First regiment— three months'— left " Camp Scott," Milwaukee, on the ninth of June, 
1861, for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — eight hundred and ten in number; John C. Starkweather, 
colonel. The regiment returned to Milwaukee on the seventeenth of August, 1861, and was 
mustered out on the twenty-second. 

The First regiment re-organized at "Camp Scott," Milwaukee. Its mustering into the 
service, as previously mentioned, was completed on the nineteenth of October. On the twenty- 



76 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

eighth, it started for Louisville, Kentucky — nine hundred and forty-five strong — under command 
of its former colonel, John C. Starkweather. The Second regiment, with S. Park Coon as 
colonel, left "Camp Randall," Madison, for Washington city, on the eleventh of June, 1861 — 
numbering, in all, one thousand and fifty-one. The Third regiment started from " Camp 
Hamilton," Fond du Lac, for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, under command of Charles S. Hamilton, 
as colonel, on the twelfth of July, 1861, with a numerical strength of nine hundred and seventy- 
nine. The Fourth regiment — Colonel Halbert E. Payne — with a numerical strength of one 
thousand and fifty-three, departed on the fifteenth of July, 1861, from "Camp Utley," Racine, 
for Baltimore, Maryland. The Fifth regiment left " Camp Randall," Madison, one thousand 
and fifty-eight strong, commanded by Colonel Amasa Cobb, on the twenty-fourth of July, 1861, 
for Washington city. On the twenty-eighth of July, 1861, the Sixth regiment, numbering one 
thousand and eighty-four, moved from Madison, having been ordered to Washington city. It 
was commanded by Colonel Lysander Cutter. The Seventh regiment — Joseph Van Dor, Colonel 
— with a numerical strength of one thousand and sixteen men — officers and privates, received 
orders, as did the Fifth and Sixth, to move forward to Washington. They started from Madison 
on the morning of the twenty-first of September, 1861, for active service. The Eighth infantry, 
nine hundred and seventy-three strong, commanded by Colonel Robert C. Murphy, left Madison, 
en route for St. Louis, Missouri, on the morning of the twelfth of October, 1861. The Ninth, or 
German regiment, with Frederick Salomon in command as colonel, did not leave "Camp Sigel," 
for active service, while Randall was governor. The Tenth infantry moved from " Camp 
Holton," Milwaukee, commanded by Colonel Alfred R. Chapin, on the ninth uf November, i86i, 
destined for Louisville, Kentucky, with a total number of nine hundred and sixteen officers and 
privates. On the twentieth of November, 1861, the Eleventh regiment "broke camp" at 
Madison, starting for St. Louis, under command of Charles L. Harris, as colonel. Its whole 
number of men was nine hundred and sixteen. The Twelfth regiment, at " Camp Randall," 
Madison — Colonel George E. Bryant, and the Thirteenth, at " Camp Tredway," Janesville — 
Colonel Maurice Maloney — were still in camp at the expiration of the administration of Governor 
Randall : these, with the Ninth, were all that had not moved out of the State for active service, 
of those mustered in previous to January 6, 1861,— making a grand total of infantry sent from 
Wisconsin, up to that date, by the governor, to answer calls of the General Government, for 
three years' service or during the war, of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-one men, in ten 
regiments, averaging very nearly one thousand to each regiment. Besides these ten regiments 
of infantry for three years' service, Wisconsin had also sent into the field the First regiment, for 
three months' service, numbering eight hundred and ten men ; Alexander's company of sharp- 
shooters, one hundred and six; and Deutsch's company of cavalry, eighty-four: in all, one 
thousand. Adding these to the three years' reginients, and the whole force, in round numbers, 
was eleven thousand men, furnished by the State in 1861. 

Eighth Ad.ministration. — Louis P. H.vrvey and EnvvARD Salomon, Governors — 1862-1863. 

Louis P. Harvey was inaugurated governor of Wisconsin on the sixth of January', 1862. 
The fifteenth regular session of the legislature of the State began on the eighth of the same 
month. In the senate, the republicans were in the majority; but in the assembly they had 
only a plurality of members, there being a number of " Union " men in that branch — enough, 
indeed, to elect, by outside aid, J. W. Beardsley, who ran for the assembly, upon the " Union " 
ticket, as speaker. Governor Harvey, on the tentli, read his message to the legislature in joint 
convention. " No previous legislature," are his opening words, " has convened under equal 
incentives to a disinterested zeal in the public service The occasion," he adds, " pleads 



WISCONSIN" AS A STATE. 77 

with you in rebuke of all the meaner passions, admonishing to the exercise of a conscientious 
patriotism, becoming the representatives of a Christian people, called in God's providence to 
pass through the furnace of a great trial of their virtue, and of the strength of the Government." 
On the seventh of April following, the legislature adjourned until the third of June next ensuing. 
Before it again assembled, an event occurred, casting a gloom over the whole State. The 
occasion was the accidental drowning of Governor Harvey. 

Soon after the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, on the seventh of April, 1862, the certainty 
that some of the Wisconsin regiments had suffered severely, induced the governor to orcanize 
a reli .'f party, to aid the wounded and suffering soldiers from the State. On the tenth, Harvey 
and others started on their tour of benevolence. Arriving at Chicago, they found a large num- 
ber of boxes had been forwarded there from different points in the State, containing supplies of 
various kinds. At Mound City, Paducah, and Savannah, the governor and his party adminis- 
tered to the wants of the sick and wounded \\'isconsin soldiers. Having completed their mission 
of mercy, they repaired to a boat in the harbor of Savannah, to await the arrival of the Minne- 
haha, which was to convey them to Cairo, on their homeward trip. It was late in the evening of 
the nineteenth of Apr'l> 1862, and very dark when the boat arrived which was to take the 
governor and his friends on board ; and as she rounded to, the bow touching the Dunlcith, on 
which was congregated the party ready to depart. Governor Harvey, by a misstep, fell overboard 
between the two boats, into the Tennessee river. The current was strong, and the water more 
than thirty feet deep. Every thing was done that could be, to save his life, but all to no 
purpose. His body was subsequently found and brought to Madison for interment. Edward 
Salomon, lieutenant governor, by virtue of a provision of the constitution of the State, upon the 
death of Harvey, succeeded to the office of governor of Wisconsin. On the third day of June, 
the legislature re-assembled in accordance with adjournment on the seventh of April previous, 
Governor Salomon, in his message of that day, to the senate and assembly, after announcing 
the sad event of the death of the late governor, said : " The last among the governors elected 
by the people of this State, he is the first who has been removed by death from our midst. The 
circumstances leading to and surrounding the tragic and melancholy end of the honored and 
lamented deceased, are well known to the people, and are, with his memory, treasured up in 
their hearts." He died," added Salomon, " while in the exercise of the highest duties of philan- 
thropy and humanity, that a noble impulse had imposed upon him." >The legislature, on the 
thirteenth of June, by a joint resolution, declared that in the death of Governor Harvey, the 
State had " lost an honest, faithful, and efficient public officer, a high-toned gentleman, a warm- 
hearted philanthropist, and a sincere friend." Both houses adjourned siiie die, on the seventeuth 
of June, 1S62. 

Business of great public importance, in the judgment of the governor, rendering a special 
session of the legislature necessary, he issued, on the twenty-ninth of August, 1862, his proc- 
lamation to that effect, convening both houses on the tenth of September following. On that 
day he sent in his message, relating wholly to war matters. He referred to the fact that since 
the adjournment of the previous session, six hundred thousand more men had been called for by 
the president of the United States, to suppress the rebellion. " It is evident," said he, " that to 
meet further calls, it is necessary to rely upon a system of drafting or conscription, in Wisconsin.' 
The governor then proceeded to recommend such measures as he deemed necessary to meet 
the exigencies of the times. The legislature levied a tax to aid volunteering, and passed a law 
giving the right of suffrage to soldiers in the military service. They also authorized the raising 
of money for payment of bounties to volunteers. The legislature adjourned on the twenty- 
sixth of September, 1S62, after a session of sixteen days, and the enacting of seventeen laws. 



78 HTSTOKY OF "Vl'ISCOXSIN. 

On the 7th of October, James H. Howe, attorney general, resigned his office to enter the 
army. On the 14th of that month, Winfield Smith was appointed by the governor to fill the 
vacancy. 

At the general election in the Fall of this year, si.\ congressmen were elected to the thirty- 
eighth congress: James S. Brown from the first district; I. C. Sloan, from the second; Amasa 
Cobb, from the third ; Charles A. Eldredge, from the fourth ; Ezra Wheeler, from the fifth ; and 
W. D. Mclndoe, from the sixth district. Sloan, Cobb, and Mclndoe, were elected as republi-. 
cans ; Brown, Eldridge, and Wheeler, as democrats. 

The sixteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature, commenced on the fourteenth of 
January, 1863. J. Allen Barber was elected speaker of the assembly. The majority in both 
houses was republican. Governor Salomon read his message on the fifteenth, to the joint 
convention, referring, at length, to matters connected with the war of the rebellion: A large 
number of bills were passed by the legislature for the benefit of soldiers and their families. On 
the twenty-second, the legislature re-elected James R. Doolittle. to the United States senate for 
six years, from the fourth of March next ensuing. The legislature adjourned si/ic die on the 
second of April following. In the Spring of this year, Luther S. Dixon was re-elected c hief 
justice of the supreme court, running as an independent candidate. 

By a provision of the Revised Statutes of 1858, as amended by an act passed in 1S62, and 
interpreted by another act passed in 1S75, the terms of the justices of the supreme court, 
elected for a full term, commence on the first Monday in January next succeeding their election. 

At the Fall election there were two tickets in the field: democratic and union republican. 
The latter w-as successful, electing James T. Lewis, governor ; Wyman Spooncr, lieutenant 
governor; Lucius Fairchild, secretary of state; S. D. Hastings, state treasurer; Winfield 
Suiith, attorney general; J. L. Pickard, state superintendent; W. H. Ramsay, bank comp- 
troller; and Henry Cordier, state prison commissioner. 

War of Secession — Harvey and Salomon's Administration. 

When Governor Randall turned over to his successor in the gubernatorial chair, the military 
matters of Wisconsin, he had remaining in the State, either already organized or in process of 
formation, the Ninth infantry, also the Twelfth up to the Nineteenth inclusive ; three regiments 
of cavalry ; and ten batteries — First to Tenth inclusive. Colonel Edward Daniels, in the Summer 
of 1861, was authorized by the war de])artment to recruit and organize one battalion of cavalry 
in Wisconsin. He was subsequently authorized to raise two more companies. Kjovernor Ran- 
dall, in October, was authorized to complete the regiment — the First cavalry — by the organiza- 
tion of six additional companies. The organization of the Second cavalry regiment was author- 
ized in the Fall of 1861, as an "independent acceptance," but wa>i finally turned over to the 
State authorities. Early in November, 1861, the war department issued an order discontinuing 
enlistments for the cavalry service, and circulars were sent to the different State executives to 
consolidate all incomplete regiments. Ex-Governor Barstow, by authority of General Fremont, 
which authority was confirmed by the General Government, had commenced the organization of 
a cavalry regiment — the Third Wisconsin' — when Governor Randall received information that 
the authority of Barstow had been revoked. The latter, how^ever, soon had his authority 
restored. In October, Governor Randall was authorized by the war department to raise three 
additional companies of artillery — Eighth to Tenth inclusive. These three batteries were all 
filled and went into camp by the close of 1861. Governor Randall, therefore, besides sending 
out of the State eleven thousand men, had in process of formation, or fully organized, nine 
regiments of infantry, three regiments of cavalry, and ten companies of artillery, left behind in 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 79 

various camps in the State, to be turned over to his successor. 

The military officers of Wisconsin were the governor, Louis P. Harvey, commander-in- 
chief; Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general; Brigadier General W. W. Tred- 
way, quartermaster general ; Colonel Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general ; Brigadier Gen- 
eral Simeon Mills, paymaster general; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; Major 
M. H. Carpenter, judge advocate ; and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary. As the 
General Government had taken the recruiting service out of the hands of the executives of the 
States, and appointed superintendents in their place, the offices of commissary general and 
paymaster general were no longer necessary; and their time, after the commencement of the 
administration, in Wisconsin of 1862, was employed, so long as they continued their respective 
offices, in settling up the business of each. The office of commissary general was closed about 
the first of June, 1S62 ; that of paymaster general on the tenth of July following. On the last 
of August, iS62r, Brigadier General Tredway resigned the position of quartermaster general, and 
Nathaniel F. Lund was appointed to fill his place. 

Upon the convening of the legislature of the State in its regular January session of tins 
year — 1862, Governor Harvey gave, in his message to that body, a full statement of what had 
been done by Wisconsin in matters appertaining to the war, under the administration of his 
predecessor. He stated that the State furnished to the service of the General Government 
under the call for volunteers for three months, one regiment — First Wisconsin ; under the call 
for volunteers for three years, or the war, ten regiments, numbering from the First re-organized 
to the Eleventh, excluding the Ninth or German regiment. He gave as the whole number of 
officers, musicians and privates, in these ten three-year regiments, ten thousand one hundred and 
seventeen. He further stated that there were then organized and awaiting orders, the Ninth, in 
"Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, numbering nine hundred and forty men, under Colonel Frederick 
Salomon ; the Twelfth, in " Camp Randall," one thousand and thirty-nine men, under Colonel 
George E. Bryant; the Thirteenth, in "Camp Tredway," Janesville, having nine hundred and 
nineteen men, commanded by Colonel M. Maloney ; and the Fourteenth, at " Camp Wood," 
Fond du Lac, eight hundred and fifty men, under Colonel D. E. Wood. 

The Fifteenth or Scandinavian regiment. Colonel H. C. Heg, seven hundred men, and tlie 
Sixteenth, Colonel Benjamin Allen, nine hundred men, were at that time at "Camp Randall," in 
near readiness for marching orders. The Seventeenth (Irish) regiment. Colonel J. L. Doran, and 
the Eighteenth, Colonel James S. Alban, had their full number of companies in readiness, lacking 
one, and had been notified to go into camp — the former at Madison, the latter at Milwaukee. 
Seven companies of artillery, numbering together one thousand and fifty men, had remained for 
a considerable time in " Camp Utley," Racine, impatient of the delays of the General Govern- 
ment in calling them to move forward. Three additional companies of artillery were about 
going into camp, numbering three hundred and thirty-four men. Besides these, the State had 
furnished, as already mentioned, an independent company of cavalry, then in Missouri, raised 
bv Captain Von Deutsch, of eighty-one men ; a company of one hundred and four men for Ber- 
dan's sharpshooters; and an additional company for the Second regiment, of about eighty men. 
Three regiments of cavalry — the First, Colonel E. Daniels; the Second, Colonel C. C. Washburn; 
and the Third, Colonel W. A. Barstow; were being organized. They numbered together, two thou- 
sand four hundred and fifty men. The Nineteenth (independent) regiment was rapidly organ- 
izing under the direction of the General Government, by Colonel H. T. Sanders, Racine. Not 
bringing this last regiment into view, the State had, at the commencement of Governor Harvey's 
administration, including the First, three-months' regiment, either in the service of the United 
States or organizing for it, a total of twenty-one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three men. 



80 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

The legislature at its regular session of 1862, passed a law making it necessary to present 
all claims which were made payable out of the war fund, within twelve months from the time they 
accrued ; a law was also passed authorizing the investment of the principal of the school fund in 
the bonds of the state issued for war purposes ; another, amendatory of the act of the extra session 
of 1 861, granting exemption to persons enrolled in the military service, so as to except persons 
acting as fiduciary agents, either as executors or administrators, or guardians or trustees, or 
persons defrauding the State, or any school district of moneys belonging to the same ; also author- 
izing a stay of proceedings in foreclosures of mortgages, by advertisements. " The State Aid 
Law" was amended so as to apply to all regiments of infantry, cavalry, artillery and sharpshooters, 
defining the rights of families, fixing penalties for the issue of false papers, and imposing duties on 
military officers in the field to make certain reports. These amendments only included regi- 
ments and companies organized up to and including the Twentieth, which was in process of 
organization before the close of the session. A law was also passed suspending the sale of lands 
mortgaged to the State, or held by volunteers ; another defining the duties of the allotment com- 
missioners appointed by the president of the United States, and fixing their compensation. One 
authorized the issuing of bonds for two hundred thousand dollars for war purposes ; one author- 
ized a temporary loan from the general fund to pay State aid to volunteers ; and one, the appoint- 
ment of a joint committee to investigate the sale of war bonds; while another authorized the 
governor to appoint surgeons to batteries, and assistant surgeons to cavalry regiments. 

The legislature, it will be remembered, took a recess from the seventh of April to the third 
of June, 1862. Upon its re-assembling, -.. ict was passed providing 1 jr the discontinuance of the 
active services of the paymaster general, quartermaster general and commissary general. 
Another act appropriated twenty thousand dollars to enable the governor to care for the sick 
and wounded soldiers of the State. There was also another act passed authorizing the auditing, 
by the quartermaster general, of bills for subsistence and transportation of the Wisconsin cavalry 
regiments. .\t the extra session called by Governor Salomon, for the tenth of September, 1862, 
an amendment was made to the law granting aid to families of volunteers, by including all regi- 
ments of cavalry, infantry, or batteries of artillery before that time raised in the State, or that 
might afterward be raised and mustered into the United States service. It also authorized the 
levying of a State tax of two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars to be placed to the credit 
of the war fund and used in the payment of warrants for " State Aid" to families of volunteers. 
Another law authorized commissioned officers out of the State to administer oaths and take 
acknowledgments of deeds and other papers. One act authorized soldiers in the field, although 
out of the State, to exercise the right of suffrage ; and another gave towns, cities, incorporated 
villages and counties the authority to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers. 

On the fifth of August, 1862, Governor Salomon received from the war department a dispatch 
stating that orders had been issued for a draft of three hundred thousand men to be immediately 
called into the service of the United States, to serve for nine months unless sooner discharged ; 
that if the State quota under a call made July 2, of that year, for three hundred thousand vol- 
unteers, was not filled by the fifteenth of .\ugust, the deficiency would be made up by draft ; and 
that the secretary of war would assign the quotas to the States and establish regulations for the 
draft. On the eighth of that month, the governor of the State was ordered to immediately cause 
an enrollment of all able-bodied citizens between eighteen and forty-five years of age, by counties. 
Governor Salomon was authorized to appoint proper officers, and the United Slates promised to 
pay all reasonable expenses. The quota for Wisconsin, under the call for nine months' men, was 
eleven thousand nine hundred and four. The draft was made by the governor in obedience to 
the order he had received from Washington ; but such had been the volunteering under the slim- 



WISCOXSIN" AS A STATE. 81 

ulus caused by a fear of it, that only four thousand five hundred and tlurty-seven men were 
drafted. This was the first and only draft made in Wisconsin by the State authorities. 
Subsequent ones were made under the direction of the provost marshal general at Wash- 
ington. 

The enlisting, organization and mustering into the United States service during Randal.'s 
administration of thirteen regiments of infantry — the First to the Thirteenth inclusive, and the 
marching of ten of them out of the State before the close of 1861, also, of one company of cavalry 
under Captain Von Deutsch and one company of sharpshooters under Captain Alexander, con- 
stituted the effective aid abroad of Wisconsin during that year to suppress the rebellion. But for 
the year 1862, this aid, as to number of organizations, was more than doubled, as will now be 
shown. 

The Ninth regiment left " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, under command of Colonel Freder ck 
Salomon, on the twenty-second of January, 1862, numbering thirty-nine officers and eight hun 
dred and eighty-four men, to report at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 

The Twelfth infantry left Wisconsin under command of Colonel George E. Bryant, ten 
hundred and forty-five strong, the eleventh of January, 1S62, with orders to report at Weston, 
Missouri. 

The Thirteenth regiment — Colonel Maurice Maloney — left "Camp Tredway," Janesville, on 
the eighteenth of January, 1S62, nine hundred and seventy strong, under orders to report at 
Leavenworth, Kansas, where it arrived on the twenty-third. 

The Fourteenth regiment of infantry departed from " Camp Wood," Fond du Lac, under 
command of Colonel David E. Wood, for St. Loui-;, Missouri, on the eighth of March, 1862, it 
having been mustered into the United States service on the thirtieth of January previous. Its 
total strength was nine hundred and seventy officers and men. It arrived at its destination on 
the tenth of March, and went into quarters at " Benton Barracks." 

The Fifteenth regiment, mostly recruited from the Scandinavian population of Wisconsin, 
was organized at "Camp Randall," Madison — Hans C. Heg as colonel. Its muster into the 
LTnited States service was completed on the fourteenth of February, 1S62, it leaving the State for 
St. Louis, Missouri, on the second of March following, with a total strength of eight hundred and 
one officers and men. 

The Sixteenth regiment was organized at "Camp Randall," and was mustered into the 
service on the last day of January, 1862, leaving the State, with Benjamin Allen as colonel, for 
St. Louis on the thirteenth of March ensuing, having a total strength of one thousand and 
sixty-six. 

The reg. mental organization of the Seventeenth infantry (Irish), Colonel John L. Doran, 
was effected at " Camp Randall," and the mustering in of the men completed on the fifteenth of 
March, 1862, the regiment leaving the State on the twenty-third for St. Louis 

The Eighteenth regiment organized at " Camp Trowbridge," Milwaukee — James S. Alban, 
colonel — completed its muster into the United States service on the fifteenth of March, 1S62, 
and left the State for St. Louis on the thirtieth, reaching their point of destination on the thirty- 
first. 

The Nineteenth infantry rendezvoused at Racine as an independent regiment, its colonel, 
Horace T. Sanders, being commissioned by the war department. The men were mUstered into 
the service as fast as they were enlisted. Independent organizations being abolished, by an 
order from Washington, the Nineteenth was placed on the same footing as other regiments in the 
State. On the twentieth of .\pril, 1862, the regiment was ordered to " Camp Randall " to guard 
rebel prisoners. Here the mustering in was completed, numbering in all nine hundred and 
seventy-three. They left the State for W^ashington on the second of June. 



82 HISTORV OF ^NISCONSIN". 

The muster into the United States service of the Twentieth regiment — Bertine Pinckney, 
colonel — was completed on the twenty-third of August, i86?, at "Camp Randall," the original 
strength being nine hundred and ninety. On the thirtieth of August the regiment left the State 
for St. Louis. 

The Twenty-first infantry was organized at Oshkosh, being mustered in on the fifth of Sep- 
tember, 1862, with a force of one thousand and two, all told — Benjamin J. Sweet, colonel- 
leaving the State for Cincinnati on the eleventh. 

The Twenty-second regiment — Colonel William L. Utley — was organized at "Camp Utley, ' 
Racine, and mustered in on the second of September, 1S62. Its original strength was one thou- 
sand and nine. It left the State for Cincinnati on the si.xteenth. 

On the thirtieth of August, 1862, the Twenty-third regiment — Colonel Joshua J. Guppey — 
was mustered in at "Camp Randall," leaving Madison for Cincinnati on the fifteenth. 

The Twenty-fourth infantry rendezvoused at "Camp Sigel," Milwaukee. Its muster in was 
completed on the twenty-first of August, 1862, the regiment leaving the State under Colonel 
Charles H. Larrabee, for Kentucky, on the fifth of September, one thousand strong. 

On the fourteenth of September, 1862, at " Camp Salomon," LaCrosse, the Twenty-fifth 
regiment was mustered into the service — Milton Montgomery, colonel. They left the State on 
the nineteenth with orders to report to General Pope, at St. Paul, Minnesota, to aid in suppress- 
ing the Indian difficulties in that State. Their entire strength was one thousand and eighteen. 
The regiment, after contributing to the preservation of tranquillity among the settlers, and 
deterring the Indians from hostilities, returned to Wisconsin, arriving at " Camp Randall " on the 
eighteenth of December, 1862. 

The Twenty-sixth — almost wholly a German regiment — was mustered into the service at 
"Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, on the seventeenth of September, 1862. The regiment, under com- 
mand of Colonel William H. Jacobs, left the State for Washington city on the sixth of October, 
one thousand strong. 

The Twenty-seventh infantry was ordered to rendezvous at "Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, on 
the seventeenth of September, 1862 ; but the discontinuance of recruiting for new regiments in 
August left the Twenty-seventh with only seven companies full. An order authorizing the 
recruiting of three more companies was received, and under the supervision of Colonel Conrad 
Krez the organization was completed, but the regiment at the close of the year had not been 
mustered into the service. 

On the twenty-fourth of October, 1862, the Twenty-eighth regiment — James M. Lewis, of 
Oconomowoc, colonel — was mustered into the United States service at "Camp Washburn," Mil- 
waukee. Its strength was nine hundred and sixty-one. In November, the regiment was 
employed in arresting and guarding the draft rioters in Ozaukee county. It left the State for 
Columbus, Kentucky, on the twentieth of December, where they arrived on the twenty-second ; 
remaining there until the fifth of January, 1863. 

The Twenty-ninth infantrj — Colonel Charles R. Gill — was organized at " Camp Randall," 
where its muster into the United States service was completed on the twenty-seventh of Sep- 
tember, 1862, the regiment leaving the State for Cairo, Illinois, on the second of November. 

The Thirtieth regiment, organized at "Camp Randall" under the supervision of Colonel 
Daniel J. Dill, completed its muster into the United States service on the twenty-first of October, 
1862, with a strength of nine hundred and six. On the sixteenth of November, one company of 
the Thirtieth was sent to Green Bay to protect the draft commissioner, remaining several weeks. 
On the eighteenth, seven companies moved to Milwaukee to assist in enforcing the draft in Mil- 
waukee county, while two companies remained in " Camp Randall " to guard Ozaukee rioters. 



WISCONSIN" AS A STATE. 83 

On the twenty-second, six companies from Milwaukee went to West Bend, Washington county, 
one company returning to "Camp Randall." After the completion of the draft in Washington 
county, four companies returned to camp, while two companies were engaged in gathering up 
the drafted men. 

The final and complete organization of the Thirty-first infantry — Colonel Isaac E. Mess- 
more — was not concluded during the year 1862. 

The Thirty-second regiment, organized at " Camp Bragg," Oshkosh, with James H. Howe 
as colonel, was mustered into the service on the twenty-fifth of September, 1862; and, on the 
thirtieth of October, leaving the State, it proceeded by way of Chicago and Cairo to Memphis, 
Tennessee, going into camp on the third of November. The original strength of the Thirty- 
second was nine hundred and ninety-three. 

The Thirty-third infantry — Colonel Jonathan B. Moore — mustered in on the eighteenth of 
October, 1862, at "Camp Utley," Racine, left the State, eight hundred and ninety-two strong, 
moving by way of Chicago to Cairo. 

The Thirty-fourth regiment, drafted men, original strength nine hundred and sixty-one — 
Colonel Fritz Anneke — had its fnuster into service for nine months completed at "Camp Wash- 
burn," Milwaukee, on the last day of the year 1862. 

Of the twenty-four infantry regiments, numbered from the Twelfth to the Thirty-fourth 
inclusive, and including also the Ninth, three — the Ninth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth — were mus- 
tered into the United States service in 1861. The whole of the residue were mustered in during 
the year 1862, except the Twenty-seventh and the Thirty-first. All were sent out of the State 
during 1862, except the last two mentioned and the Twenty-fifth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-fourth. 

The First regiment of cavalry — Colonel Edward Daniels — perfected its organization at 
" Camp Harvey," Kenosha. Its muster into the United States service was completed on the 
eighth of March, 1862, the regiment leaving the State for St. Louis on the seventeenth, with a 
strength of eleven hundred and twenty-four. 

The muster of the Second Wisconsin cavalry was completed on the twelfth of March, 1862, 
at "Camp Washburn," Milwaukee, the regiment leaving the State for St. Louis on the twenty- 
fourth, eleven hundred and twenty-seven strong. It was under the command of Cadwallader C. 
Washburn as colonel. 

The Third Wisconsin cavalry — Colonel William A. Barstow — was mustered in at " Camp 
Barstow," Janesville. The muster was completed on the 31st of January, 1S62, the regiment 
leaving the State on the 26th of March for St. Louis, with a strength of eleven hundred and 
eighty- six. 

The original project of forming a regiment of light artillery in Wisconsin was overruled 
by the war department, and the several batteries were sent from the State as independent 
organizations. 

The First battery — Captain Jacob T. Foster — perfected its organization at "Camp Utley," 
where the company was mustered in, it leaving the State with a strength of one hundred and 
fifty-five, on the 23d of January, 1862, for Louisville, where the battery went into "Camp 
Irvine," near that city. The Second battery — Captain Ernest F. Herzberg — was mustered into 
the service at "Camp Utley," October 10, 1861, the company numbering one hundred and fifty- 
three. It left the State for Baltimore, on the 21st of January, 1862. The Third battery — Cap- 
tain L. H. Drury — completed its organization of one hundred and seventy at " Camp Utley," and 
was mustered in October 10, 1861, leaving the State for Louisville, on the 23d of January, 
1862. The Fourth battery— Captain John F. Vallee — rendezvoused at "Camp Utley." Its 
muster in was completed on the istof October, 1861, its whole force being one hundred and fifty 
one. The company left the State for Baltimore on the 21st of January, 1862. The Fifth bat- 



84 HISTOBY OF WISCONSIN. 

ter)', commanded by Captain Oscar F. Pinney, was mustered in on thu ist of October, i86i, at 
"Camp Utiey," leaving the State for St. Louis, on the 15th of March, 1862, one hundred and 
fifty-five strong. The Sixth battery — Captain Henry Dillon — was mustered in on the 2d of 
October, 1861, at " Camp Utley," leaving the State for St. Louis, March 15, 1S62, with a numer- 
ical strength of one hundred and fifty-seven. The Seventh battery — Captain Richard R. Grif- 
fiths — was mustered in on the 4th of October, 1861, at "Camp Utley," and proceeded on the 15th 
of March, 1862, with the Fifth and Sixth batteries to St. Louis. The Eighth battery, com- 
manded by Captain Stephen J. Carpenter, was mustered in on the 8th of January, 1862, at 
"Camp Utley," and left the State on the i8th of March following, for St. Louis, one hundred and 
sixty-one strong. The Ninth battery, under command of Captain Cyrus H. Johnson, was organ- 
ized at Burlington, Racine county. It was mustered in on the 7th of January, 1862, leaving 
" Camp Utley " for St. Louis, on the i8th of March. .\t St. Louis, their complement of men — 
one hundred and fifty-five — was made up by the transfer of forty-five from another battery. The 
Tenth battery — Captain Yates Y. Bebee— after being mustered in at Milwaukee, on the loth of 
February, 1862, left "Camp Utley," Racine, on the i8th of March for St. Louis, one hundred and 
seventeen strong The Eleventh battery — Captain John O'Rourke — was made up of the "'Oconto 
Irish Guards " and a detachment of Illinois recruits. The company was organized at " Camp 
Douglas," Chicago, in the Spring of 1862. Early in 1862, William A. Pile succeeded in enlisting 
ninety-nine men as a company to be known as the Twelfth battery. The men were mustered in 
and sent forward in squads to St. Louis. Captain Pile's commission was revoked on the i8th 
of July. His place was filled by William Zickrick. These twelve batteries were all that left the 
State in 1862. To these are to be added the three regiments of cavalry and the nineteen regi- 
ments of infantry, as the effective force sent out during the year by Wisconsin. 

The military officers of the State, at the commencement of 1S63, were Edward Salomon, 
governor and commander-in-chief; Brigadier General .\ugustus Gaylord, adjutant general; 
Colonel S. Nye Gibbs, assistant adjutant general ; Brigadier General Nathaniel F. Lund, 
quartermaster general; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; and Colonel W. H. 
Watson, military secretary. The two incomjjlete regiments of 1862 — the Twenty-seventh and 
Thirty-first volunteers — were completed and in the field in March, 1863. The former wais 
mustered in at "Camp Sigel " — Colonel Conrad Krez — on the 7th of March, and left the State, 
eight hundred and sixty-five strong, on the i6th for Columbus, Kentucky; the latter, under 
command of Colonel Isaac E. Messmore, with a strength of eight hundred and seventy-eight, 
left Wisconsin on the ist of March, for Cairo, Illinois. The Thirty-fourth (drafted) regiment 
left "Camp Washburn," Milwaukee, on the 31st of January, 1863, for Columbus, Kentucky, 
numbering nine hundred and sixty-one, commanded by Colonel Fritz .\nneke. On the 17th of 
February, 1863, the Twenty-fifth regiment left "Camp Randall" for Cairo, Illinois. The 
Thirtieth regiment remained in Wisconsin during the whole of 1863, performing various 
duties — the only one of the whole thirty-four that, at the end of that year, had not left the State. 
On the 14th of January, 1863, the legislature of Wisconsin, as before stated, convened 
at Madison. Governor Salomon, in his message to that body, gave a summary of the transac- 
tions of the war fund during the calendar year; also of what was done in 1862, in the recruiting 
of military forces, and the manner in which the calls of the president were responded to. There 
were a number of military laws passed at this session. A multitude of special acts authorizing 
towns to raise bounties for volunteers, were also passed. 

No additional regiments of infantry besides tliose already mentioned were organized in 
1863, although recruiting for old regiments continued. On the 3d of March, 1863, the congress 
of the United States passed the "Conscription Act." Under this act, Wisconsin was divided 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 85 

into six districts. In the first district, I. M. Bean was appointed jirovost marshal; C. M. Baker, 
commissioner; and J. B. Dousman, examining surgeon. Headquarters of this district was at 
Milwaukee. In the second district, S. J. M. Putnam was appointed provost marshal; L. B. 
Caswell, commissioner; and Dr. C. R. Head, examining surgeon. Headquarters of this 
district was at Janesville. In the third district, J. G. Clark was appointed provost marshal; E. 
E. Byant, commissioner ; and John H. Vivian, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Prairie 
du Chien. In the fourth district, E. L. Phillips was appointed provost marshal ; Charles 
Burchard, commissioner; and L. H. Gary, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Fond du 
Lac. In the fifth district, C. R. Merrill was appointed provost marshal ; William A. Bugh, 
commissioner ; and H. O. Crane, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Green Bay. In the 
sixth district, B. F. Cooper was appointed provost marshal; L. S. Fisher, commissioner ; and 
D. D. Cameron, examining surgeon. Headquarters at LaCrosse. The task of enrolling the 
State was commenced in the month of May, and was proceeded with to iis completion. The 
nine months' term of service of the Thirty-fourth regiment, drafted militia, having expired, the 
regiment was mustered out of service on the 8th of September. 

The enrollment in Wisconsin of all persons liable to the "Conscription" amounted to 
121,202. A draft was ordered to take place in November. Nearly fifteen thousand were 
drafted, only six hundred and twenty-eight of whom were mustered in ; the residue either 
furnished substitutes, were discharged, failed to report, or paid commutation. 

In the Summer of 1861, Company " K," Captain Langworthy, of the Second Wisconsin 
infantry, was detached and placed on duty as heavy artillery. His company was designated as 
".'\," First Regiment Heavy Artillery. This was the only one organized until the Summer of 
1863; but its organization was effected outside the State. Three companies were necessary to 
add to company "A" to complete the battalion. Batteries "B," "C" and " D " were, therefore, 
organized in Wisconsin, all leaving the State in October and November, 1S63. 

Ninth Administration' — James T. Lewis, Governor — 1864-1865. 

James T. Lewis, of Columbia county, was inaugurated governor of Wisconsi.i on the fourth 
of January, 1S64. In an inaugural address, the incoming governor pledged himself to use no 
executive patronage for a re-election; declared he would administer the government without 
prejudice or partiality ; and committed himself to an economical administration of affairs con- 
nected with the State. On the thirteenth the legislature met in its seventeenth regular session. 
W. W. Field was elected speaker of the assembly. The republican and union men were in 
the majority in this legislature. A number of acts were passed relative to military matters. 

On the I St day of October, J. L. Pickard having resigned as superintendent of public 
instruction, J. G. McMynn was, by the governor, appointed to fill the vacancy. On the fif- 
teenth of November, Governor Lewis appointed Jason Downer an associate justice of the 
supreme court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Byron Paine, who had 
resigned his position to take effect on that day, in order to accept the position of lieutenant 
colonel of one of the regiments of Wisconsin, to wliich he had been commissioned on the tenth 
of August previous. The November elections of this year were entered into with great zeal by 
the two parties, owing to the fact that a president and vice president of the United States were 
to be chosen. The republicans were victorious. Electors of that party cast their eight votes 
for Lincoln and Johnson. The members elected to the thirty - ninth congress from Wisconsin 
at this election were : from the first district, H. E. Paine ; from the second, I. C. Sloan ; from 
the third, .\masa Cobb; from tlie fourth, C. .\. Eldredge; from the fifth, Philetus Sawyer; and 



86 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIN. 

from the sixth district, W. D. Mclndoe. All were republicans except Eldredge, who was 
elected as a democrat. 

The Eighteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature began in Madison on the elev- 
enth of January, 1865. W. W. Field was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature 
was, as to its political complexion, " Republican Union." On the tenth of April, the last day of 
the session, Governor Lewis informed the legislature that General Lee and his array had sur- 
rendered. " Four years ago," said he, "on the day fixed for adjournment, the sad news of the 
fall of Fort Sumter was transmitted to the legislature. To-day, thank God! and next to Him 
the brave officers and soldiers of our army and navy, I am permitted to transmit to you the 
official intelligence, just received, of the surrender of General Lee and his army, the last prop 
of the rebellion. Let us rejoice, and thank the Ruler of the Universe for victory and the pros- 
pects of an honorable peace." In February preceding, both houses ratified the constitutional 
amendment abolishing slavery in the United States. At the Spring election, Jason Downer was 
chosen associate justice of the supreme court for a full term of six years. The twentieth of 
April was set apart by the governor as a day of thanksgiving for the overthrow of the rebellion 
and restoration of peace. At the Fall election both parties, , republican and democratic, had 
tickets in the field. The republicans were victorious, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor; 
Wyman Spooner, lieutenant governor; Thomas S. Allen, secretary of state; William E. Smith, 
state treasurer; Charles R. Gill, attorney general; John G. McMynn, superintendent of 
public instruction; J. M.Rusk, bank comptroller; and Henry Cordier, state prison commis- 
sioner. 

W.4R OF Secession — Lewis' Administration. 

The military officers for 1864 were besides the governor (who was commander-in-chief) 
Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general ; Colonel S. Nye Gibbs, assistant adju- 
tant general; Brigadier General Nathaniel F. Lund, quartermaster and commissary general, 
and chief of ordnance ; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general ; and Colonel F'rank 
H. Firmin, military secretary. The legislature met at Madison on the 13th of January, 1864. 
"In response to the call of the General Government," said the governor, in his message to that 
body, " Wisconsin had sent to the field on the first day of November last, exclusive of three 
months' men, thirty - four regiments of infantry, three regiments and one company of cavalry, 
twelve batteries of light artillerj-, three batteries of heavy artillery, and one company of sharp- 
shooters, making an aggregate of forty-one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five men." 

Quite a number of laws were passed at this session of the legislature relative to military 
matters : three were acts to authorize towns, cities and villages to raise money by tax for the 
payment of bounties to volunteers ; one revised, amended and consolidated all laws relative to 
extra pay to Wisconsin soldiers in the service of the United States ; one provided for the proper 
reception by the State, of Wisconsin volunteers returning from the field of service; another 
repealed the law relative to allotment commissioners. One was passed authorizing the gov- 
ernor to purchase flags for regiments or batteries whose flags were lost or destroyed inthe 
service: another was passed amending the law suspending the sale of lands mortgaged to the 
State or held by volunteers, so as to apply to drafted men; another provided for levying a State 
tax of $200,000 for the support of families of volunteers. A law was passed authorizing the 
governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers of Wisconsin, and appropriated ten 
thousand dollars for that purpose. Two other acts authorized the borrowing of money for repel- 
ling invasion, sujjpressing insurrection, and defending the State in time of war. One act pro- 
hibited the taking of fees for procuring volunteers' extra bounty ; another one defined the resi- 
dence of certain soldiers from this St^te in the service of the United States, who had received 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 87 

local bounties from towns other than their proper places of residence. 

At the commencement of 1864, there were recruiting in the State the Thirty-fifth regiment 
of infanto' and the Thirteenth battery. The latter was mustered in on the 29th of December, 
1863, and left the State for New Orleans on the 28th of January, 1S64. In February, authority 
was given by the war department to organize the Thirty-si.\th regiment of infantry. On the 
27th of that month, the mustering in of the Thirty-fifth was completed at "Camp Washburn " 
— Colonel Henry Orff— the regiment, one thousand and si.\ty-si.\ strong, leaving the State on the 
18th of April, 1864, for Alexandria, Louisiana. The other regiments, recruited and mustered 
into the service of the United States during the year 1864, were: the Thirty-sixth— Colonel 
Frank A. Haskell ; the Thirty-seventh — Colonel Sam Harriman ; the Thirty-eighth — Colonel 
James Bintlifif; the Thirty -nintlr— Colonel Edwin L. Buttrick ; the Fortieth — Colonel W, 
Augustus Ray; the Forty-first — Lieutenant Colonel George B. Goodwin; the Forty-second — 
Colonel Ezra T. Sprague; the Forty-third — Colonel Amasa Cobb. 

The regiments mustered into the service of the United States during the year 1865 were: 
the Forty-fourth — Colonel George C. Symes ; the Forty-fifth — Colonel Henry F. Belitz; Forty- 
sixth — Colonel Frederick S. Lovell ; Forty-seventh — Colonel George C. Ginty ; Forty-eighth — 
Colonel Uri B. Pearsall; Forty-ninth — Colonel Samuel Fallows; Fiftieth — Colonel John G. 
Clark; Fifty-first — Colonel Leonard ISLtrtin; Fifty-second — Lieutenant Colonel Hiram J. Lewis ; 
and Fifty-third — Lieutenant Colonel Robert T. Piigh. 

All of the fifty-three regiments of infantry raised in Wisconsin during the war, sooner or 
later moved to the South and were engaged there in one way or other, in aiding to suppress the 
rebellion. Twelve of these regiments were assigned to duty in the eastern division, which con- 
stituted the territory on both sides of the Potomac and upon the seaboard from Baltimore to 
Savannah. These twelve regiments were: the First (three months). Second, Third, Fourth, 
Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Nineteenth, Twenty-sixth, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh, and Thirty-eighth. 
Ten regiments were assigned to the central division, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Northern 
Alabama, and Georgia. These ten were: the Tenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty- 
fourth, Thirtieth, Forty-third, Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth, and Forty-seventh. Added 
to these was the First (re-organized). Thirty-one regiments were ordered to the western division, 
embracing the country west and northwest of the central division. These were : the Eighth, 
Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, 
Twentieth, Twenty-third, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, Thirty-first, 
Thirty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, Forty-first, Forty- 
second, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fifty-first, Fifty-second, and Fifty-third. During the 
war several transfers were made from one district to another. There were taken from the eastern 
division, the Third and Twenty-sixth, and sent to the central division; also the Fourth, which 
was sent to the department of the gulf. The Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seven- 
teenth, Eighteenth, Twenty-fifth, Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-second were transferred from 
the western to the central department. 

The four regiments of cavelry were assigned to the western division — the First regiment 
being afterward transferred to the central division. Of the thirteen batteries of light artillery, the 
Second, Fourth, and Eleventh, were assigned to the eastern division ; the First and Third, to 
the central division ; the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth, 
to the western division. During the war, the First was transferred to the western division ; while 
the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, and Twelfth, were transferred to the central division. Of the 
twelve batteries of the First regiment of heavy artillery — "A," "E," "F," "G," ''H," "I," 
"K," "L," and "M," were assigned to duty in the eastern division ; "B" and "C," to the central 



88 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

division; and "D," to the western division. Company "G," First regiment Berdan's sharp- 
shooters, was assigned to the eastern division. 

The military officers of the State for 1865 were the same as the previous year, except that 
Brigadier General Lund resigned his position as quartermaster general, James M. Lynch being 
appointed in his place. The legislature of this year met in Madison on the nth of January. 
"To the calls of the Government for troops," said Governor Lewis, in his message, " no State 
has responded with greater alacrity than has Wisconsin. She has sent to the field, since the 
commencement of the war, forty-four regiments of infantry, four regiments and one company of 
cavalry, one regim.ent of heavy artillery, thirteen batteries of light artillery, and one company of 
sharpshooters, making an aggregate (e.\clusive of hundred day men) of seventy-five thousand 
one hundred and thirty-three men." 

Several military laws were passed at this session: one authorizing cities, towns, and villages 
to pay bounties to volunteers; another, incorporating the Wisconsin Soldiers' Home; two others, 
amending the act relative "to the commencement and prosecution of civil actions against persons 
in the military service of the country." One was passed authorizing the payment of salaries, 
clerk hire, and expenses, of the offices of the adjutant general and quartermaster general from 
the war fund ; another, amending the act authorizing commissioned officers to take acknowledg- 
ment of deeds, affidavits and depositions; another, amending the act extending the right of 
suffrage to soldiers in the field. One act provides for correcting and completing the records of 
the adjutant general's office, relative to the military history of the individual members of the 
several military organizations of this State; another fixes the salary of the adjutant general and 
the quartermaster general, and their clerks and assistants; another prohibits volunteer or sub- 
stitute brokerage. One act was passed supplementary and explanatory of a previous one of the 
same session, authorizing towns, cities, or villages, to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers; 
another, amending a law of 1864, relating to the relief of soldiers' families; and another, pro- 
viding for the establishment of State agencies for the relief and care of sick, wounded, and 
disabled Wisconsin soldiers. There was an act also passed, authorizing the borrowing of money 
for a period not exceeding seven months, to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, and defend the 
State in time of war, — the amount not to exceed §850,000. 

On the 13th of April, 1865, orders were received to discontinue recruiting in Wisconsin, and 
to discharge all drafted men who had not been mustered in. About the first of May, orders 
were issued for the muster out of all organizations whose term of service would expire on or 
before the first of the ensuing October. As a consequence, many Wisconsin soldiers were soon 
on their way home. State military officers devoted their time to the reception of returning 
regiments, to their payment by the United States, and to settling with those who were entitled to 
extra pay from the State. Finally, their employment ceased — the last soldier was mustered out 
— the War of the Rebellion was at an end. Wisconsin had furnished to the federal army during 
the conflict over ninety thousand men, a considerable number more than the several requisitions 
of the General Government called for. Nearly eleven thousand of these were killed or died of 
wounds received in battle, or fell victims to diseases contracted in the militarj' service, to say 
nothing of those who died after their discharge, and whose deaths do not appear upon the mili- 
tary records. Nearly twelve million dollars were expended by the State authorities, and the 
people of the several counties and towns throughout the State, in their efforts to sustain the 
National Government. 

Wisconsin feels, as well she may, proud of her record made in defense of national existence. 
Shoulder to shoulder with the other loyal States of the Union, she stood — always ranking among 
the foremost. From her workshops, her farms, her extensive pineries, she poured forth stalwart 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 89 

men, to fill up the organizations which she sent to the field. The blood of these brave men 
drenched almost every battle-field from Pennsylvania to the Rio Grande, from Missouri to 
Georgia. To chronicle the deeds and exploits — the heroic achievements — the noble enthusiasm 
— of the various regiments and military organizations sent by her to do battle against the hydra- 
headed monster secession — would be a lengthy but pleasant task ; but these stirring annals 
belong to the history of our whole country. Therein will be told the story which, to the latest 
time in the existence of this republic, will be read with wonder and astonishment. But an out- 
line of the action of the State authorities and their labors, and of the origin of the various 
military organizations, in Wisconsin, to aid in the suppression of the rebellion, must needs 
contain a reference to other helps employed — mostly incidental, in many cases wholly charitable 
but none the less effective : the sanitary operations of the State during the rebellion. 

Foremost among the sanitary operations of Wisconsin during the war of the rebellion was 
the organization of the surgeon general's department — to the end that the troops sent to the 
field from the State should have a complete and adequate supply of medicine and instruments as 
well as an efficient medical staff. In 1861, Governor Randall introduced the practice of appoint- 
ing agents to travel with the regiments to the field, who were to lake charge of the sick. The 
practice was not continued by Governor Harvey. On the 17th of June, 1862, an act of the 
legislature became a law authorizing the governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers 
of Wisconsin, and appropriated twenty thousand dollars for that purpose. Under this law- 
several expeditions were sent out of the State to look after the unfortunate sons who were 
suffering from disease or wounds. Soldiers' aid societies were formed throughout the State soon 
after the opening scenes of the rebellion. When temporary sanitary operations were no longer 
a necessity in Wisconsin, there followed two military benevolent institutions intended to be of a 
permanent character : the Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee, and the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at 
Madison. The latter, however, has been discontinued. The former, started as a State institu- 
tion, is now wholly under the direction and support of the General Government. 

Whether in the promptitude of her responses to the calls made on her by the General Govern- 
ment, in the courage or constancy of her soldiery in the field, or in the wisdom and efficiency with 
which her civil administration was conducted during the trying period covered by the war of the 
rebellion, Wisconsin proved herself the peer of any loyal State. 

TABULAR STATEMENT. 

We publish on the following pages the report of the Adjutant General at the close of the war, 
but before all the Wisconsin organizations had been mustered out. It shows that 85,000 brave men 
were ready to forsake home, friends and the comforts of peaceful avocations, and offer their lives 
in defense of their country's honor. Twenty-two out of every hundred either died, were killed or 
wounded. Thirteen out of every hundred found a soldier's grave, while only 60 per cent of them 
marched home at the end of the war. Monuments may crumble, cities fall into decay, the tooth 
of time leave its impress on all the works of man, but the memory of the gallant deeds of the 
army of the Union in the great war of the rebellion, in which the sons of Wisconsin bore so 
conspicuous a part, will live in the minds of men so long as time and civilized governments endure. 



90 



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92 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

Tenth Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor — 1866-1867. 

The inauguration of the newly elected State officers took place on Monday, January r, 
1866. The legislature, in its nineteenth regular session, convened on the tenth. H. D. Barron 
was elected speaker of the assembly. The " Union " and " Republican " members were in a 
majority in both branches of the legislature. "Our first duty," said Governor Fairchild in his 
message, "is to give thanks to Almighty God for all His mercies during the year that is past." 
" The people of no nation on earth," he continued, " have greater cause to be thankful than 
have our people. The enemies of the country have been overthrown in battle. The war has 
settled finally great questions at issue between ourselves." Among the joint resolutions passed 
at this session was one submitting the question of a constitutional convention to frame a new 
constitution for the State, to the people. The legislature adjourned on the twelfth of April, 
having been in session ninety-three days. At the general election in November of this year, 
there were elected t j the Fortieth congress : H. E. Paine, from the first district; JB. F. Hopkins, 
from the second ; Amasa Cobb, from the third ; C. A. Eldredge, from the fourth ; Philetus 
Sawyer, from the fifth, and C. C. Washburn, from the si.xth district. All were republicans 
except Eldredge, who was elected as a democrat. The proposition for a constitutional conven- 
tion was voted upon by the people at this election, but was defeated. 

The twentieth session of the legislature commenced on the ninth of January, 1867. 
Angus Cameron was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature was strongly " Repub- 
lican-Union." The message of Governor Fairchild was read by him in person, on the tenth. 
On the twenty-third, the two houses, in joint convention, elected Timothy O. Howe United 
States senator for the term of six years, commencing on the fourth of March next ensuing. 
This legislature pjssed an act submitting to the people at the next Fall election an amendment 
to section twenty-one of article four of the constitution of the State, providing for paying a 
salary of three hundred and fifty dollars to each member of the legislature, instead of a per 
diem allowance, as previously given. \. sine die adjournment took place on the eleventh of April, 
after a service of ninety-three days. 

To provide for the more efficient collection of license fees due the State, an act, approved 
on the day of adjournment, authorized the governor to appoint an agent of the treasury, to 
superintend and enforce the collection of fees due for licenses fixed by law. This law is still in 
force, the agent holding his office at the pleasure of the executive of the State. 

On the 27th of March, Chief Justice Di.xon resigned his office but was immediately 
appointed by the governor to the same position. At the election in April following, associate 
Justice Cole was re-elected, without opposition, for six years from the first Monday in January 
following. On the i6th of August, Associate Justice Downer having resigned, Byron Paine was 
ajjpointed by the governor in his place. 

The republican State ticket, in the Fall, was elected over the democratic — resulting in the 
choice of Lucius Fairchild for governor ; Wyman Spooner, for lieutenant governor; Thomas 
S. .-X.llen, Jr., secretary of state; William E. Smith, for state treasurer; Charles R. Gill, for 
attorney general ; A. J. Craig, for superintendent of public instruction ; Jeremiah M. Rusk, 
for bank comptroller, and Henr)' Cordier, for state prison commissioner. Except Craig, all 
these officers were the former incumbents. The amendment to section 21 of article 4 of the 
constitution of the State, giving the members a salary instead of a per diem allowance, was 
adopted at this election. As it now stands, each member of the legislature receives, for 
his services, three hundred and fifty dollars per annum, and ten cents for every mile he 
travels in going to and returning from the place of the meetings of the legislature, on the most 



WISCONSIX AS A STATE. 93 

usual route. In case of any extra session of the legislature, no additional compensation shall 
■be allowed to any member thereof, either directly or indirectly. 

Eleventh Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor (second term) — 1868-1869. 

The Eleventh Administration in Wisconsin commenced at noon on the 6th day of January, 
1868. This was the commencement of Governor Fairchild's second term. On the eighth of 
January, 1868, began the twenty-first regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin. A. M. 
Thomson was elected speaker of the assemlily. Of the laws of a general nature passed by this 
legislature, was one abolishing the office of bank comptroller, transferring his duties to the 
state treasurer, and another providing for the establishing of libraries in the various townships 
of the State. A visible effect was produced by the constitutional amendment allowing members 
a salary, in abreviating this session, though not materially diminishing the amount of business 
transacted. A sine die adjournment took place on the si.xth of March. 

.At the election in April, 1868, Chief Justice Dixon was chosen for the unexpired balance of 
his own term, ending on the first Monday of January, 1870. At the same election, Byron Paine 
was chosen associate justice for the unexpired balance of Associate Justice Downer's term, 
ending the ist day of January, 1872. 

At the Fall election in this year, republican electors were chosen over those upon the 
democratic ticket, for president and vice president; and, as a consequence, Grant and Colfax 
received the vote of Wisconsin. Of the members elected at the same time, to the forty-first 
congress, all but one were republicans — Eldredge being a democrat. The successful ticket 
was: H. E. Paine, from the first district; B. F. Hopkins, from the second; Amasa Cobb, from 
the third ; C. A. Eldredge, from the fourth; Philetus Sawyer, from the fifth, and C. C. Washburn, 
from the sixth district. These were all members, form their respective districts, in the previous 
congress — the only instance since Wisconsin became a State of a re-election of all the incum- 
bents. 

On the thirteenth of January, 1869, began the twenty-second regular session of the State 
legislature. A. M. Thomson was elected speaker of the assembly. A very important duty 
imposed upon both houses was the election of a United States senator in the place of James R. 
Doolittle. The republicans having a majority in the legislature on joint ballot, the excitement 
among the members belonging to that party rose to a high pitch. The candidates for nomina- 
tion were Matthew H. Carpenter and C. C. Washburn. The contest was, up to that time, 
unparalleled in Wisconsin for the amount of personal interest manifested. Both gentlemen had 
a large lobby influence assembled at Madison. Carpenter was successful before the republican 
nominating convention, on the sixth ballot. On the twenty-seventh of January, the two houses 
proceeded to ratify the nomination by electing him United States senator for six years, from the 
fourth of March following. One of the most important transactions entered into by the legis- 
lature of 1869 was the ratification of the suffrage amendment to the constitution of the United 
States. Both houses adjourned sine die on the eleventh of March — a very short session. At the 
spring election, on the 6th of April, Luther S. Dixon was re-elected without opposition, chief 
justice of the supreme court, for a term of six years, from the first Monday in January next 
ensuing. In the Fall, both democrats and republicans put a State ticket in the field for the 
ensuing election : the republicans were successful, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor ; Thad- 
deus C. Pound, lieutenant governor; Llywelyn Breese, secretary of state ; Henry Baetz, state 
treasurer ; S. S. Barlow, attorney general ; george F. Wheeler, state prison commissioner ; 
and A. L. Craig, superintendent of public instruction. The office of bank comptroller expired 
on the 31st day of December, 1869, the duties of the office being transferred to the state 



94 HISTORY OF WIsrOXSIX. 

treasurer. 

At this election, an amendment to sections 5 and 9 of article five of the constitution of 
the State was ratified and adopted by the people. Under this amendment, the governor 
receives, during his continuance in office, an annual compensation of five thousand dollars, which 
is in full for all traveling or other expenses incident to his duties. The lieutenant governor 
receives, during his continuance in office, an annual compensation of one thousand dollars. 

Twelfth Administration. — I^ucius Fairchild, Governor (third term) — 1870-187 1. 

On the third of January, 1870, commenced the twelfth admini.stration in Wisconsin, Gov- 
ernor Fairchild thus entering upon his third term as chief executive of the State; the only 
instance since the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, of the same person being twice 
re-elected to that office. It was an emphatic recognition of the value of his services in the 
gubernatorial chair. On the twelfth of January, the twenty-third regular session of the legis- 
lature of the State commenced at Madison. James M. Bingham was elected speaker of the 
assembly. Before the expiration of the month, Governor Fairchild received official information 
that over two hundred thousand dollars of the war claim of Wisconsin upon the General Govern- 
ment had been audited, considerable more than one hundred thousand having the previous year 
been allowed. In the month of March, an energetic efifort was made in the legislature, by 
members from Milwaukee, to remove the seat of government from Madison to their city ; but 
the project was defeated by a considerable majority in the assembly voting to- postpone the 
matter indefinitely, .\ccording to section eight of article one of the constitution, as originally 
adopted, no person could be held to answer for a criminal offense unless on the presentment or 
indictment of a grand jury, except in certain cases therein specified. The legislature of 1869 
proposed an amendment against the " grand jury systeVn " of the constitution, and referred it to the 
legislature of 1870 for their approval or rejection. The latter took up the proposition and 
agreed to it by the proper majority, and submitted it to the people at the next election for their 
ratification. The sine die adjournment of both houses took place on the seventeenth of March^ 
1870. On the first day of January, previous, the member of congress from the second district 
of the State, B. F. Hopkins, died, and David Alwood, republican, was elected to fill the 
vacancy on the fifteenth of February following. 

Early in 1870, was organized the "Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, .\rts and Letters." By 
an act of the legislature approved March 16, of that year, it was incorporated, having among its 
specific objects, researches and investigations in the various departments of the material, meta- 
physical, ethical, ethnological and social sciences; a progressive and thorough scientific survey 
of the State, with a view of determining its mineral, agricultural and other resources; the 
advancement of the useful arts, through the application of science, and by the encouragement 
of original invention; the encouragement of the fine arts, by means of honors and prizes, 
awarded to artists for original works of superior merit; the formation of scientific, economical 
and art museums; the encouragement of philological and historical research; the collection and 
preservation of historic records, and the formation of a general library; and the diffusion of 
knowledge by the publication of original contributions to science, literature and the arts. The 
academy has already published three volumes of transactions, under authority of the Stale. 

The fourth charitable institution esta\)lished by Wisconsin was the " Northern Hospital for 
the Insane," located at Oshkosh, Winnebago county. It was authorized by an act of the legis- 
lature approved March 10, 1870. The law governing the admission of patients to this hospital 
is the same as to the Wisconsin State Hospital. 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 95 

On the tliird day of July, 1870, A. J. Craig, siiperintendeiit of public instruction, died of 
consumption, and Samuel Fallows was, on the 6th of that month, appointed by the governor 
to fill the place made vacant by his death. The census taken this year by the General Govern- 
ment, showed the population of Wisconsin to be over one million sixty-four thousand. At the 
Fall election for members to the forty-second congress, Alexander Mitchell was chosen to 
represent the first district; G. W. Hazelton, the second; J. A. Barber, the third; C. A. 
Eldredge, the fourth; Philetus Sawyer, the fifth; and J. M. Rusk, the sixth district. Mitchell 
md Eldredge were democrats; the residue were reiniblicans. The amendment to section 8, of 
irticle 7 of the constitution of the State, abolishing the grand jury system was ratified by a 
arge majority. Under it, no person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due 
Drocess of law, and no person, for the same offense, shall be put twice in jeopardy of punishment, 
lor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. All persons shall, 
lefore conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is 
ivident and the presumption great ; and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be 
iuspended unless, when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it. 

Governor Fairchild, in his last annual message to the legislature, delivered to that body at 
ts twenty-fourth regular session beginning on the eleventh of January, 1871, said that Wisconsin 
state polity was so wisely adapted to the needs of the people, and so fa^vorable to the growth 
ind prosperity of the commonwealth, as to require but few changes at the hands of the legisla- 
ure, and those rather of detail than of system. At the commencement of this session, William 
E. Smith was elected speaker of the assembly. A very carefully-perfected measure of this 
egislature was one providing for the trial of criminal offenses on information, without the inter- 
vention of a Grand Jury. A state commissioner of immigration, to be elected by the people, was 
provided for. Both bodies adjourned sine die on the twenty-fifth of March. On the thirteenth 
)f January preceding. Associate Justice Byro 1 Paine, of the supreme court, died; whereupon 
he governor, on the 20th of the same month, appointed in his place, until the Spring election 
ihould be held, William Penn Lyon. The latter, at the election in April, was chosen by the 
leople to serve the unexpired time of Associate Justice Paine, ending the first Monday of Jan- 
lary, 1872, and for a full term of six years from the same date. On the 3d of April, Ole C. 
fohnson was appointed by the governor state commissioner of immigration, to serve until his 
uccessor at the next general election could be chosen by the people. To the end that the 
idministration of public charity and correction should thereafter be conducted upon sound 
)rinciples of economy, justice and humanity, and that the relations existing between the State 
ind its dependent and criminal classes might be better understood, there was, by an act of the 
egislature, approved March 23, 1871, a "state board of charities and reform" created — to 
:onsist of five members to be appointed by the governor of the State, the duties of the members 
leing to investigate and supervise the whole system of charitable and correctional institutions 
upported by the State or receiving aid from the State treasury, and on or before the first day of 
December in each year to report their proceedings to the executive of the State. This board 
t'as thereafter duly organized and its members have since reported annually to the governor 
heir jjroceedings and the amount of their expenses, as required by law. 

The "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society," although previously organized, first under the 
lame of the " Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association," was not incorporated until the 24th of 
klarch, 1871 — the object of the society being to improve the condition of horticulture, rural 
idornment and landscape gardening. By a law of 1868, provision was made for the publication 
if the society's transactions in connection with the State agricultural society ; but by the act 



96 HISTORY (»K AVISCONSIN. 

of 1 87 1, this law was repealed and an appropriation made for their yearly publication in separate 
form; resulting in the issuing, up to the present time, of seven volumes. The society holdi 
annual meetings at Madison. 

At the November election both republicans and democrats had a full ticket for the suffrages 
of the people. The republicans were successful, electing for governor, C. C. Washburn; M. H. 
Pettitt, for lieutenant governor; Llywelyn Breese, for secretary of state ; Henry Baetz, for state 
treasurer; Samuel Fallows, for superintendent of public instruction ; S. S. Barlow, for attorney 
general; (1. F. Wheeler, for state prison commissioner; and O. C. Johnson, for state commis- 
sioner of immigration. At this election an amendment to article four of the constitution of the 
State was ratified and adopted by the people. As it now stands, the legislature is prohibited 
from enacting any special or private laws in the following cases : 1st. For changing the names of 
persons or constituting one person the heir-at-law of another. 2d. For laying out, opening, or 
altering highways, except in cases of State roads extending into more than one county, and mili- 
tary roads to aid in the construction of which lands may be granted by congress. 3d. For 
authorizing persons to keep ferries across streams, at points wholly within this State. 4th. For 
authorizing the sale or mortgage of real or personal property of minors or others under disability. 
5th. For locating or changing any county seat. 6th. For assessment or collection of taxes or for 
extending the time for the collection thereof. 7th. For granting corporate powers or privileges, 
except to cities. 8th. For authorizing the apportionment of any part of the school fund. 9th. 
For incorporating any town or village, or to amend the charter thereof. The legislature shall 
provide general laws for the transaction of any business that may be prohibited in the foregoing 
cases, and all such laws shall be uniform in their operation throughout the State. 

Industrially considered, the year 1S71 had but little to distinguish it from the average of 
previous years in the State, except that the late frosts of Spring and the drouth of Summer dimin- 
ished somewhat the yield of certain crops. With the exception of slight showers of only an hour 
or two's duration, in the montli of September, no rain fell in Wisconsin from the eighth of July to 
the ninth of October — a period of three months. The consequence was a most calamitous event 
which will render the year 1871 memorable in the history of the State. 

The great drouth of the Summer and Fall dried up the streams and swamps in Northern 
Wisconsin. In the forests, the fallen leaves and underbrush which covered the ground became 
very ignitable. The ground itself, especially in cases of alluvial or bottom lands, was so dry and 
parched as to burn readily to the depth of a foot or more. For many days preceding the com- 
mencement of the second week in October fires swept through the timbered country, and in some 
instances over prairies and " openings." Farmers, saw-mill owners, railroad men and all others 
interested in exposed property, labored day and night in contending against the advance of 
devouring fires, which were destroying, notwithstanding the ceaseless energies of the people, an 
occasional mill or house and sweeping off, here and there, fences, haystacks and barns. Over the 
counties lying upon Green bay and a portion of those contiguous thereto on the south, southwest 
and west, hung a general gloom. No rain came. All energies were exhausted from " fighting 
fire." The atmosphere was every where permeated with smoke. The waters of the bay and 
even Lake Michigan, in places, were so enveloped as to render navigation difficult and in some 
instances dangerous. It finally became very diffrcult to travel upon highways and on railroads. 
Time drew on — but there came no rain. The ground in very many places was burned over. 
Persons sought refuge — some in excavations in the earth, others in wells. 

The counties of Oconto, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc, Outagainie and Shawano 
were all more or less swept by this besom of destruction ; but in Oconto county, and for some 
distance into Menomonee county, Michigan, across the Menoinonee river, on the west shore of 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 97 

he bay and throughout the whole length and breadth of the peninsula, — that is, the territory 
ying between the bay and Lake Michigan, — the fires were the most devastating. The first week 
n October passed ; then came an actual whirlwind of fire — ten or more miles in width, and of 
ndefinite length. The manner of its progress was extraordinary. It destroyed a vast amount of 
)roperty and many lives. It has been described as a tempestuous sea of flame, accompanied by 
. most violent hurricane, which multiplied the force of the destructive element. Forests, farm 
mprovements and entire villages were consumed. Men, women and children perished — awfully 
)erished. Even those who fled and sought refuge from the fire in cleared fields, in swamps, 
akes and rivers, found, many of them, no safety there, but were burned to death or died of suf- 
ocation. 

This dreadful and consuming fire was heralded by a sound likened to that of a railroad 
rain — -to the roar of a waterfall- — to the noise of a battle at a distance. Not human beings 
mly, but horses, oxen, cows, dogs, swine— every thing that had life — ran to escape the impend- 
ng destruction. The smoke was suffocating and blinding ; the roar of the tempest deafening ; 
he atmosphere scorching. Children were separated from their parents, and trampled upon by 
razed beasts. Husbands and wives rushed in wild dismay, they knew not where. Death rode 
riumphantly upon that devastating, fiery flood. More than one thousand men, women and 
hildren perished. More than three thousand were rendered destitute — utterly beggared, 
ilothers were left with fatherless children ; fathers with motherless children. Every where were 
lomeless orphans. All around lay suffering, helpless humanity, burned and maimed. Such was 
he sickening spectacle after the impetuous and irresistible wave of fire swept over that portion 
if the State. This appalling calamity happened on the 8th and 9th of October. The loss of 
)roperty has been estimated at four million dollars. 

At the tidings of this fearful visitation. Governor Fairchild hastened to the burnt district, to 
.ssist, as much as was in his power, the distressed sufferers. He issued, on the 13th of the 
nonth, a stirring appeal to the citizens of Wisconsin, for aid. It was promptly responded to 
rom all portions of the State outside the devastated region. Liberal contributions in money, 
lothing and provisions were sent — some from other States, and even from foreign countries. 
Northwestern Wisconsin also suffered severely, during these months of drouth, from large fires. 

A compilation of the public statutes of Wisconsin was prepared during the year 1871, by 
David Tayor, and published in two volumes, generally known as the Revised Statutes of 1871. 
'.t was wholly a private undertaking ; but the legislature authorized the secretary of state to 
jurchase five hundred copies for the use of the State, at its regular session in 1872. 

Thirteenth .\dministration. — C. C. Washburn, Governor — 1872-1873. 

The thirteenth gubernatorial administration in Wisconsin commenced on Monday, January 
[, 1872. The only changes made, in the present administration from the previous one, were in 
he offices of governor and lieutenant governor. 

The twenty-fiftli regular session of the legislature began on the lotii of January, with a 
■epublican majority in both houses. Daniel Hall was elected speaker of the assembly. The 
lext day the governor delivered to a joint convention of the legislature his first annual message 
— a lengthy document, setting forth in detail the general condition of State affairs. The recent 
;reat conflagrations were referred to, and relief suggested. 'I'he work of this session of the Leg- 
slature was peculiarly difficult, owing to the many general laws which the last constitutional 
imendment made necessary. The apportionment of the State into new congressional districts 
vas another perplexing and onerous task. Eight districts were formed instead of six, as at the 
:ommencementof the last decade. By this, tlie fourth congressional apportionment, each district 



98 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

elects one member. The first district consists of the counties of Rock, Racme, Kenosha, Wal- 
worth, and Waukesha; the second, of Jefferson, Dane, Sauk, and Columbia; the third»of Grant, 
Iowa, LaFayette, Green, Richland, and Crawford ; the fourth, of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Wash- 
ington ; the fifth, of Dodge, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Manitowoc ; the sixth, of Green Lake, 
Waushara, Waupaca, Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Brown, Kewaunee and Door; the sev- 
enth, of Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, Eau 
Claire, and Clark; the eighth, of Oconto, Shawano, Portage, Wood, Juneau, Adams, Marquette, 
Marathon, Dunn, Chippewa, Barron, Polk, Burnett, Bayfield, Douglas, and Ashland. To this 
district have since been added the new counties of Lincoln and Taylor. 

After a session of seventy-seven days, the legislature finished its work, adjourning on the 
twenty-seventh of March. At the ensuing November election, the republican ticket for presi- 
dent and vice president of the United States was successful. The ten electors chosen cast their 
votes in the electoral college for Grant and Wilson. In the eight congressional districts, six 
republicans and two democrats were elected to the forty-third congress ; the last mentioned 
from the fourth and fifth districts. C. G. Williams represented the first district; G. W. Hazel- 
ton the second; J. Allen Barber the third ; Alexander Mitchell the fourth ; C. A. Eldredge the 
fifth; Philetus Sawyer the sixth; J. M. Rusk the seventh; and A. G. McDill the eighth district. 

Throughout Wisconsin, as in all portions of the Union outside the State, a singular pesti- 
lence prevailed among horses in the months of November and December, 1872, very few escap- 
ing. Horses kept in warm, well ventilated stables, avoiding currents of air, with little or no 
medicine, and fed upon nutritious and laxative food, soon recovered. Although but few died, 
vet the loss to the State was considerable, especially in villages and cities, resulting from the diffi- 
culty to substitute other animals in the place of the horse during the continuance of the disease. 

The twenty-sixth regular session of the State legislature commenced on the eighth day of 
January, 1873, with a republican majority in both houses. Henry D. Barron was elected 
speaker of the assembly. On the ninth. Governor Washburn's message — his second annual 
one — was delivered to the two houses. It opened with a brief reference to the abundant returns 
from agricultural pursuits, to the developments of the industries of the state, to the advance in 
manufacturing, to the rapid extension in railways, and to the general and satisfactory progress in 
education, throughout Wisconsin. He followed with several recommendations — claiming that 
" many vast and overshadowing corporations in the United States are justly a source of alarm," 
and that " the legislature can not scan too closely every measure that should come before it 
which proposed to give additional rights and privileges to the railways of the state." He also 
recommended that the " granting of passes to the class of state officials who, through their public 
office, have power to confer or withhold benefits to a railroad company, be prohibited." The 
message was favorably commented upon by the jjress of the state, of all parties. " If Governor 
Washburn," says one of the opposition papers of his administration, " is not a great statesman, 
he is certainly not a small politician." One of the first measures of this legislature was the elec- 
tion of United States senator, to fill the place of Timothy O. Howe, whose term of office would 
expire on the fourth of March next ensuing On the twenty-second of January the two houses 
met in joint convention, when it was announced that by the previous action of the senate and 
assembly, Timothy O. Howe was again elected to that office for the term of six years. On the 
twentieth of March, the legislature adjourned sine die, after a session of seventy-two days. 

Milton H. Pettitt, the lieutenant governor, died on the 23d day of March following the 
adjournment. By this sudden and unexpected death, the State lost an upright and conscientious 
public officer. 



"WISCO^rSIN' AS A STATE. 99 

Among the important acts passed by this legislature was one providing for a geological sur- 
vey of the State, to be begun in Ashland and Douglas counties, and comijleted within four years, 
by a chief geologist and four assistants, to be appointed by the governor, appropriating for the 
work an annual payment of thirteen thousand dollars. An act providing for a geological survey, 
of the State, passed by the legislature, and approved March 25, 1S53, authorized the governor to 
appoint a state geologist, who was to select a suitable person as assistant geologist. Their 
duties were to make a geological and mineralogical survey of the State. Under this law Edward 
Daniels, on the first day of April, 1853, was appointed state geologist, superseded on the 12th 
day of August, 1854, by James G. Percival, who died in ofiice on the 2d of May, 1856, at Hazel 
Green. By an act approved March 3, 1S57, James Hall, Ezra Carr and Edward Daniels were 
appointed by the legislature geological commissioners. ■ By an act approved April 2, r86o. Hall 
was made principal of the commission. The survey was interrupted bya repeal, March 21, 1862, 
of previous laws promoting it. However, to complete the survey, the matter was reinstated by 
the act of this legislature, approved March 29, the governor, under that act, appointing as chief 
geologist Increase A. Lapham, April 10, 1873. 

Another act changed the management of the state prison — providing for the appointment 
bv the governor of three directors; one for two years, one for four years, and one for six years, 
in place of a state prison commissioner, who had been elected by the people every two years, 
ilong with other officers of the State. 

At the Spring election, Orsamus Cole, who had been eighteen years upon the bench, was 
re-elected, without opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court, for a term of six years 
From the first Monday in January following. The two tickets in the field at the Fall election 
(Vera the republican and the people's reform. The latter was successful ; the political sceptef 
p ssing out of the hands of the republicans, after a supremacy in the State continuing unbroken 
since the beginning of the seventh administration, when A. W. Randall (governor for. a second 
:erm) and the residue of the State officers were elected — all republicans. 

The general success among the cultivators of the soil throughout the state during the year, 
lotwithstanding "the crisis," was marked and satisfactory ; but the financial disturbances during 
;he latter part of the Fall and the first part of the Winter, resulted in a general depreciation of 
irices. 

Fourteenth Administration. — William R. Taylor, Governor — 1S74-75. 

The fourteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, the fifth day 
)f January, 1874, by the inauguration of William R. Taylor as governor; Charles D. Parker, 
ieutenant governor; Peter Doyle, secretary of state; Ferdinand Kuehn, state treasurer; 
\. Scott Sloan, attorney general; Edward Searing, superintendent of public instruction; 
md Martin J. Argard, state commissioner of immigration. These officers were not 
;lected by any distinctive political party as such, but as the representatives of a new 
political organization, including " all Democrats, Liberal Republicans, and other electors 
)f Wisconsin, friendly to genuine reform through equal and impartial legislation, honesty 
n office, and rigid economy in tlie administration of affairs." Among the marked cliaracteristics 
)f the platform agreed upon by the convention nominating the above-mentioned ticket was a 
leclaration by the members that they would " vote for no candidate for office whose nomination 
s the fruit of his own importunity, or of a corrupt combination among partisan leaders ;" 
mother, " that the sovereignty of the State over corporations of its own creation shall be sacredly 
espected, to the full extent of protecting the people against every form of monopoly or extor- 
ion," not denying, however, an encouragement to wholesome enterprise on the part of aggre- 



100 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

gated capital — this "plank" having special reference to a long series of alleged grievances, 
assumed to have been endured by the people on account of discriminations in railroad charges 
and a consequent burdensome taxation upon labor — especially upon the agricultural industry of 
the State. 

The twenty-seventh regular session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced at Madison on 
the fourteenth of January. The two houses were politically antagonistic in their majorities; the 
senate was republican, while the assembly had a "reform" majority. In the latter branch, 
Gabriel Bouck was elected speaker. Governor Taylor, on the fifteenth, met the legislature in 
joint convention and delivered his message. " An era," said he, "of apparent prosperity without 
parallel in the previous history of the nation, has been succeeded by financial reverses affecting 
all classes of industry, and largely modifying the standard of values." "Accompanying these 
financial disturbances," added the governor, " has come an imperative demand from the people 
for a purer political morality, a more equitable apportionment of the burdens and blessings of 
government, and a more rigid economy in the administration of public affairs." 

Among the important acts passed by this legislature was one generally known as the 
" Potter Law," from the circumstance of the bill being introduced by Robert L. D. Potter, sen- 
ator, representing the twenty-fifth senatorial district of the state. The railroad companies for 
a number of years had, as before intimated, been complained of by the people, who charged them 
with unjust discriminations and e.\orbitantly high rates for the transportation of passengers and 
merchandize. All the railroad charters were granted by acts at different times of the State leg- 
islature, under the constitution which declares that " corporations may be formed under general 
laws, but shall not be created by a special act, except for municipal purposes and in cases 
where, in the judgment of the legislature, the objects of the corporations can not be attained 
under general laws. All general laws, or special acts, enacted under the provisions of this 
section, may be altered or repealed by the legislature at any time after their passage." The 
complaints of the people seem to have remained unheeded, resulting in the passage of the 
"Potter Law." This law limited the compensation for the transportation of passengers, classi- 
fied freight, and regulated prices for its transportation within the State. It also required the 
governor on or before the first of May, 1874, by and with the consent of the senate, to appoint 
three railroad commissioners; one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years, 
whose terms of office should commence on the fourteenth day of May, and that the governor, 
tliereafter, on the first day of May, of each year, should appoint one commissioner for three 
vears. Under this law, the governor appointed J. H. Osborn, for three years; George H. Paul, 
for two years ; and J. W. Hoyt, for one year. Under executive direction, this commission inau- 
gurated its labors by compiling, classifying, and putting into convenient form for public use for 
the first time, all the railroad legislation of the State. 

At the outset the two chief railroad corporations of the State — the Chicago, Milwaukee and 
St. Paul, and the Chicago and Northwestern — served formal notice upon the governor of Wis- 
consin that they would not respect the provisions of the new railroad law. Under his oath of 
office, to support the constitution of the State, it was the duty of Governor Taylor to expedite 
all such measures as should be resolved upon by the legislature, and to take care that the laws 
be faithfully executed. No alternative, therefore, was le''t the chief executive but to enforce the 
law by all the means placed in his hands for that purpose. He promptly responded to the noti- 
fication of the railroad companies by a proclamation, dated May i, 1874, in which he enjoined 
compliance with the statute, declaring that all the functions of his office would be exercised in 
faithfully executing the laws, and invoking the aid of all good citizens thereto. " The law of the 
land," said Governor Taylor, "must be respected and obeyed." " While none," continued he. 



"WISCON^SIK AS A STATE. 101 

" are so weak as to be without its protection, none are so strong as to bj above its restraints. If 
provisions of the law be deemed oppressive, resistance to its mandates will not abate, but rather 
multiply the anticipated evils." ''It is the right," he added, "of all to test its validity through 
the constituted channels, but with that right is coupled the duty of yielding a general obedience 
to its requirements until it has been pronounced invalid by competent authority." 

The railroad companies claimed not merely the unconstitutionality of the law, but that its 
enforcement would bankrupt the companies, and suspend the operation of their lines. The 
governor, in reply, pleaded the inviolability of his oath of office and his pledged faith to the people. 
The result was an appeal to the courts, in which the State, under the direction of its governor, 
was compelled to confront an array of the most formidable legal talent of the country. Upon 
the result in Wisconsin depended the vitality of much similar legislation in neighboring Slates, 
and Governor Taylor and his associate representatives of State authority were thus compelled 
to bear the brunt of a controversy of national extent and consequence. The contention extended 
both to State and United States courts, the main question involved being the constitutional 
power of the State over corporations of its own creation. In all respects, the State was fully 
sustained in its position, and, ultimately, judgments were rendered against the corporations in 
all the State and federal courts, including the supreme court of the United States, and estab- 
lishing finally the complete and absolute power of the people, through the legislature, to modify 
or altogether repeal the charters of corporations. 

Another act of the session of 1874 abolished the office of State commissioner of immigra- 
tion, "on and after " the first Monday of January, 1876. The legislature adjourned on the 
twelfth of March, 1874, after a session of fifty-eight days. 

The office of state prison commissioner having, by operation of law, become vacant on the 
fifth day of January, 1874, the governor, on the twenty-third of that month, appointed for State 
prison directors, Joel Rich, for tw 1 years; William E. Smith, for four years; and Nelson Dewey, 
for six years : these to take the place of that officer. 

On the sixteenth of June, Chief Justice Dixon, whose term of office would have expired on 
the first Monday in January, 1876, resigned his seat upon the bench of the supreme court. 
Governor Taylor appointing Edward (i. Ryan in his place until his successor should be elected 
and qualified. At the November election of this year, the members chosen to the forty-fourth 
congress were — Charles G. Williams, from the first district; Lucian B. Caswell, from the 
second; Henry S. Magoon, from the third; William Pitt Lynde, from the fourth; Samuel D. 
Burchard, from the fifth; A. M. Kimball, from the sixth; Jeremiah M. Rusk, from the seventh, 
and George W. Cate, from the eighth district. Lynde, Burchard and Cate were " reform ; " the 
residue were republican. 

At the same election, an amendment to section 3 of article 11 of the constitution of the 
State was duly ratified and adopted by the people. Under this section, as it now stands, it is 
the duty of the legislature, and they are by it empowered, to provide for the organization of 
cities and incorporated villages, and to restrict their power of taxation, assessment, borrowing 
money, contracting debts, and loaning their credit, so as to prevent abuses in assessments and 
taxation, and in contracting debts, by such municipal corporations. No county, city, town, 
village, school district, or other municipal corporation, shall be allowed to become indebted in 
any manner, or for any purpose, to any amount, including existing indebtedness in the aggregate, 
exceeding five per centum on the value of the taxable property therein, to be ascertained by the 
last assessment for State and county taxes previous to the incurring of such indebtedness. Any 
county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal corporation, incurring any indebt- 
edness as aforesaid, shall, before, or at the time of doing so, provide for the collection of a direct 



102 HISTORY (IF WISCON^SIN. 

annual tax sufficient to pay the interest on such debt as it falls due, and also to pay and discharge 
the principal thereof within twenty years from the time of contracting the same. 

la 1S7;, the first appropriation for fish culture in Wisconsin was made by the legislature, 
subject to the direction of the United States commissioner of fisheries. In 1874, a further sum 
was appropriated, and the governor of the State authorized to appoint three commissioners, 
whose duties were, upon receiving any spawn or fish, by or through the United States commis- 
sioner of fish and fisheries, to immediately place such spawn in the care of responsible pisci- 
culturists of the State, to be hatched and distributed in the different waters in and surrounding 
Wisconsin. Two more members have since been added by law to the commission ; their labors 
have been much extended, and liberal appropriations made to further the object they have in 
view — with flattering prospects of their finally being able to stock the streams and lakes of the 
State with the best varieties of food fish. 

The year 1874, in Wisconsin, was characterized as one of general prosperity among farmers, 
excepting the growers of wheat. The crop of that cereal was light, and, in places, entirely 
destroyed by the chinch-bug. .\5 a consequence, considerable depression e.xisted in business in 
the wheat-growing districts. Trade and commerce continued throughout the year at a low ebb, 
the direct result of the monetarj' crisis of 1S73. 

The legislature commenced its twenty-eighth regular session on the thirteenth of January, 
1875, with a republican majority in both houses. F. W. Horn was elected speaker of the 
assembly. The governor delivered his message in person, on the fourteenth, to the two houses. 
" Thanking God for all His mercies," are his opening words, " I congratulate you that order and 
peace reign thr:;ughout the length and breadth of our State. Our material prosperity has not 
fulfilled our anticipations. But let us remember that we bear no burden of financial depression 
not common to all the States, and that the penalties of folly are the foundation of wisdom." In 
regard to the " Potter Law," the governor said, " It is not my opinion that this law expressed the 
best judgment of the legislature which enacted it. While the general principles upon which it 
is founded command our unqualified approbation, and can never be surrendered, it must be 

conceded that the law is deleclive in some of its details The great object sought to be 

accomplished by our people," continued the speaker, "is not the management of railroad property 
by themselves, but to prevent its mismanagement by others." Concerning the charge that 
Wisconsin was warring upon railways within her limits, the governor added, " She has never 
proposed such a war. She proposes none now. She asks only honesty, justice and tlie peace of 
mutual good will. To all men concerned, her people say in sincerity and in truth that every 
dollar invested in our State shall be lawfully entitled to its just protection, whencesoever the 
danger comes. In demanding justice for all, the State will deny justice to none. In forbidding 
mismanagement, the State will impose no restraints upon any management that is h nest and 
just. In this, the moral and hereditary instincts of our people furnish a stronger bond of good 
faith than the judgments of courts or the obligations of paper constitutions. Honest capital 
may be timid and easily frightened; yet it is more certain to seek investment among a people 
whose laws are at all times a shield for the weak and a reliance for the strong — where the 
wholesome restr.iints of judicious legislation are felt alike by the exalted and the humble, the 
rich and the poor." 

The first important business to be transacted by this legislature was the election of a United 
States senator, as the term for which M. H Carpenter had been elected would expire on the 
fourth of -March ensuing. Much interest was manifested in the matter, not only in the .two 
houses, but throughout the State. There was an especial reason for this ; for, although the then 



WISCOXSIX AS A STATE. 103 

incumbent was a candidate for re-election, with a republican majority in the legislature, yet it 
was well known that enough members of that party were pledged, before the commencement of 
the session, to vote against him, to secure his defeat, should they stand firm to their pledges. 
The republicans met in caucus and nominated Carpenter for re-election; but the recalcitrant 
members held themselves aloof. Now, according to usual precedents, a nomination by the domi- 
nant party was equivalent to an election ; not so, however, in this case, notwithstanding the friends 
of the nominee felt sanguine of his election in the end. The result of the first ballot, on the 
twenty-sixth of January, was, in the senate, thirteen for the republican candidate ; in the 
assembly, forty-six votes, an aggregate of only fifty-nine. He lacked four votes in the assembly 
and an equal number in the senate, of having a majority i.i each house. On the twenty-seventh, 
the two houses, in joint convention, h,iving met to compare the record of the voting the day 
previous, and it appearing that no one person had received a majority of the votes in each house 
for United States senator, they proceeded to their first joint ballot. The result was, no election. 
The balloting was continued each day, until the third of February, when, on the eleventh joint 
trial, .\ngus Cameron, of LaOosse, having received sitxty-eight votes, to Carpenter's fifty-nine, 
with five scattering, was declared elected. 

As in the previous session so in this, — one of the most absorbing subjects before the legisla- 
ture was that of railroads; the " Potter Law" receiving a due share of attention in both houses. 
The result was an amendment in some important particulars without changing the right of State 
control : rates were modified. The law as amended was more favorable to the railroad compa- 
nies and was regarded as a compromise. The legislature adjourned sine die on the 6th of March. 
This was the shortest session ever held in the State except one of twenty-five years previous. 

On the i6th of February, O. ^V. Wight was appomted by the governor chief geologist of 
Wisconsin, in place of I. A. Lapham, whose appointment had not been acted upon by the Senate. 
On the 24th of the same month, J. W. Hoyt was appointed railroad commissioner for three 
)'ears from the first day of May .'ollowing, on which day his one-year term in the same office would 
expire. .\t the regular Spring election on the 6th of April following, Edward (j. Ryan was 
elected, without opposition, chief justice of the supreme court for the unexpired term of Chief 
Justice Dixon, ending the first Monday in January, 1876, and for a full term of six years from 
the last mentioned date; so that his present term of office will expire on the ist Monday in Jan- 
uary, 18S2. An act providing for taking the census of Wisconsin on or before the ist of July, 
1875, was passed by the legislature and approved the 4th of March pievious. It required an 
enumeration of all the inhabitants of the State except Indians, who were not entitled to the right 
of suffrage. The result of this enumeration gave a total population to Wisconsin of one million 
two hundred and thirty-six thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine. 

At the November election, republican and "reform' tickets were in the field for State 
officers, resulting in the success of the latter, except as to governor. For this office Harrison 
Ludington was chosen by a majority, according to the State board of canvassers, over William 
R. Taylor, of eight hundred and forty-one. The rest of the candidates elected were: Charles 
D. Parker, lieutenant governor; Petei Doyle, secretary of state, Ferdinand Kuehn, treasurer 
of state, A. Scott Sloan, attorney general; and Edward Searing, superintendent of public 
instruction. The act abolishing the office of state commissionei of immigration was to take 
effect "on and after" the close of this administration; so, 01 course, no person was voted for to 
fill that position at the Fall election of 1875. 

During this administration the principle involved in a long-pending controversy between the 
State and" Minnesota relating to valuable harbor privileges at the head of Lake Superior, was suc- 
cessfully and finally settled in favor of Wisconsin. The influence of the executive was largely 



104 HISTORY OP \VISCOXSIN". 

instrumental in initiating a movement which resulted in securing congressional appropriaiions 
amounting to $800,000 to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement. A change was inaugu- 
rated in the whole system of timber agencies over State and railroad lands, by which the duties of 
agents were localized, and efficiency was so well established that many important trespasses were 
brought to light from which over §60,000 in penalties was collected and paid into the Treasury, 
while as much more was subsequently realized from settlements agreed upon and proceedings 
instituted. By decisive action on the part of the governor an unsettled printing claim of nearly 
a hundred thousand dollars was met and defeated in the courts. During this period also appro- 
priations were cut down, and the rate of taxation diminished. Governor Taylor bestowed unre- 
mitting personal attention to details of business with a view of promoting the public interests 
with strict economy, while his countenance and support was extended to all legitimate enter- 
prises. He required the Wisconsin Central railroad company to give substantial assurance that 
it would construct a branch line from Stevens Point to Portage City as contemplated by congress, 
before issuing certificates for its land grants. 

The closing year of the century of our national existence — 1S75, was one somewhat discour- 
aging to certain branches of the agricultural interests of Wisconsin. The previous Winter had 
been an unusually severe one. A greater breadth of corn was planted than in any previous year 
in the State, but the unusually late season, followed by frosts in August and September, entirely 
ruined thousands of acres of that staple. 

Fifteenth Administration. — II.-^rrison Ludington, Governor — 1876-1877. 

The fifteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, January 3, 1876, 
by the inauguration of State officers — Harrison Ludington, as previously stated, having been 
elected upon the republican ticket, to fill the chief executive office of the State ; the others, to 
the residue of the offices, upon the democratic reform ticket: the governor, like three of his 
predecessors — Farvvell, Bashford, and Randall (first term) — -having been chosen by a majority 
less than one thousand ; and, like two of his predecessors — Farwell and Bashford — when all the 
other State officers differed with him in politics. 

The twenty-ninth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin began on the 12th of Janu- 
ary, 1876, at Madison. The republicans were in the majority in both houses. Samuel S. 
Fifield was elected speaker of the assembly. On the 13th, Governor Ludington delivered in 
person, to a joint convention of that body, his message, communicating the condition of affairs of 
the State, and recommending such matters for the consideration of the legislators as were thought 
expedient : it was brief; its style condensed ; its striking peculiarity, a manly frankness. " It is 
not the part of wisdom," said he, in his concluding remarks, "to disguise the fact that the people 
of this State, in common with those of all sections of the Union, have suffered some abatement of 
the prosperity that they have enjoyed in the past." "We have entered," he continued, "upon 
the centennial of our existence as an independent nation. It is fit that we should renew the spirit 
in which the Republic had its birth, and our determination that it shall endure to fulfill the great 
purposes of its existence, and to justify the noble sacrifices of its founders." The legislature 
adjourned sine die on the i4lh of March, 1876, after a session of sixty-three days. The chief 
measures of the session were: The amendment of the railroad laws, maintaining salutary restric- 
tions while modifying those features which were crippling and crushing an important interest of 
the State ; and the apportionment of the State into senate and assembly districts. It is a pro- 
vision of the constitution of the State that the number of the members of the assembly shall 
never be less than fifty-four, nor more than one hundred ; and that the senate shall consist of a 
number not more than one-third nor less than one-fourth of the number of the members of the 



WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 105 

assembly. Since the year 1S62, the aggregate allotted to both houses had been one hundred and 
thirty-three, the maximum allowed by the constitution; one hundred in the assembly and thirt)- 
three in the senate. The number of this representation was not diminished by the apportion- 
ment of 1S76. One of the railroad laws abolished the board of railroad commissioners, confer- 
ring its duties upon a railroad commissioner to be appointed by the governor every two years. 
Under this law. DanaC. J>amb was appointed to that office, on the loth of March, 1876. On the 
2d day of February, previous, George W. Burchard was by the governor appointed state prison 
director for six years, in place of Joel Rich, whose term of office had expired. On the same day 
T. C. Chamberlin was appointed chief geologist of Wisconsin in place of O. W. Wight. 

The application of Miss Lavinia Goodell, for admission to the bar of Wisconsin, was 
rejected by the supreme court of the State, at its January term, 1S76. "We can not but think," 
oaid Chief Justice Ryan, in the decree of refusal, " we can not but think the common law wise 
in e.xcluding women from the profession of the law." "The profession," he added, "enters 
largely into the well-being of society, and, to be honorably filled, and safely to society, exacts 
the devotion of life. The law of nature destines and qualifies the female sex for the bearing 
and nurture of the children of our race, and for the custody of the homes of the world, and 
their maintenance in love and honor. And all life-long callings of women inconsistent with 
these radical and social duties of their sex, as is the profession of the law, are departures from 
the order of Nature, and, when voluntary, are treason against it." By a law since passed, no 
person can be denied admission to any court in the State on' account of sex; and Miss Goodell 
has been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court. 

By an act of the legislature, approved March 13, 1S76, a State board of health was estab- 
lished, the appointment of a superintendent of vital statistics, was provided for, and certain 
duties were assigned to local boards of health. The State board was organized soon after; 
the governor having previously appointed seven persons as its members. The object of the 
organization, which is supported by the State, is, to educate the people of Wisconsin into a better 
knowledge of the nature and causes of disease, and a better knowledge and observance of 
hygienic laws. 

By a law passed in 1868, as amended in 1870 and 1873, the secretary of state, state 
treasurer, and attorney general, were constituted a State board of assessment, to meet in the 
city of Madison, on the third Wednesday in May, 1874, and biennally thereafter, to make an 
equalized valuation of the property in the State, as a guide to assessment for taxation. In the 
tables of equalized valuations compiled by this board in 1876, the whole amount of taxable 
property in Wisconsin, is set down at $423,596,290 ; of which sum $337,073,148, represents real 
estate and $86,523,142 personal property. 

This being the year for the election of president and vice president of the United States, 
the two political parties in Wisconsin — republican and democratic — had tickets in the field. 
At the election on Tuesday, November 7, the republican presidential electors received a 
majority of the vote.; cast in the State, securing Wisconsin for Hayes and Wheeler. The eight 
congressional districts elected the same day their members to the forty-fifth congress, whose 
terms of office would expire on the 4th of March, 1879. Charles G. Williams was elected in the 
first district; Lucien B. Caswell, in the second; George C. Hazelton, in the third; William P. 
Lynde, in the fourth; Edw.ird S. Bragg, in the fifth; Gabriel Bouck, in the sixth; H. L. 
Humphrey, in the seventh; and Thad. C. Pound, in the eighth district. A majority of the 
delegation was republican, the representatives from the fourth, fifth and sixth districts only, being 
democrats. 



106 IIISTOJU' OF WISCONSIN. 

There was a general and sixintaneous exhibition of patriotic impulses throughout the length 
and breadth of Wisconsin, on the part of both native and toreign-born citizens, at the com- 
mencement of the centennial year, and upon the fourth of July. The interest of the people of 
the State generally, in the Exposition at Philadelphia, was manifested in a somewhat remarkable 
manner from its inception to its close. By an act of congress, approved March 3, 1S71, pro- 
vision was made for celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of American Independence, by 
holding in that city, in 1876, an exhibition of arts, manufactures, and the products of the soil 
and mines of the country. A centennial commission, consisting of one commissioner and one 
alternate commissioner, from each State and Territory, was authorized to be appointed, to carry 
out the provisions of the act. David Atwood, as commissioner, and E. D. Holton, as alternate, 
were commissioned by the president of the United States, from Wisconsin. This commission 
gradually made progress in preparing for an international exposition. " The commission has 
been organized," sand Governor Washburn, in his message to the legislature in January, 1873, 
"and has made considerable progress in its work. The occasion will be one to which i"he 
American people can not fail to respond in the most enthusiastic manner." The president of 
the United States, by proclamation, in July, 1873, announced the exhibition and national celebra- 
tion, and commended them to the people of the Union, and of all nations. " It seems fitting," 
said Governor Taylor, in his message to the Wisconsin legislature in 1874, " that such a cele- 
bration of this im[)ortant event, should be held, and it is hoped it will be carried out in a manner 
worthy of a great and enlightened nation." By the close of 1S74, a large number of foreii^n 
governments had signified iheir intention to participate in the exhibition. 

The legislature of Wisconsin, at its session in 1S75, deeming it essential that the State, 
with its vast resources in agricultural, mineral, lumbering, manufacturing, and otiier products 
and industries, should be fully represented at Philadelphia, passed an act which was approved 
March 3, 1S75, to provide for a "Board of State Centennial Managers." Two thousand dollars 
were appropriated to pay its necessary expenses. The board was to consist of five members to 
be appointed by the governor ; and there were added thereto, as e.x-officio members, the United 
States centennial commissioner and his alternate. The duties of the members were to dis- 
seminate information regarding the Exhibition; to secure the co-operation of industrial, scien- 
tific, agricultural, and other associations in the State ; to appoint co-operative local committees, 
representing the different industries of the State ; to stimulate local action on all measures 
intended to render the exhibition Successful, and a worthy representation of the industries of 
the country; to encourage the production of articles suitable for the Exhibition ; to distribute 
documents issued by the centennial commission among manufacturers and others in the State; 
to render assistance in furthering the financial and other interests of the exhibition ; to furnish 
information to the commission on subjects that might be referred to the board; to care for the 
interests of the State and of its citizens in matters relating to the exhibition ; to receive and 
pronounce upon applications for space ; to apportion the space placed at its disj^sal among the 
exhibitors from the State; and to supervise such other details relating to the representation of 
citizens of Wisconsin in the Exhibition, as might from time to time be delegated by the United 
States centennial commission. 

The board was required to meet on the first Wednesday of April, 1875, at the capitol, in 
Madison, to organize and adopt such by-laws and regulations as might be deemed necessary for 
the successful prosecution of the work committed to their charge Governor Taylor appointed 
Eli Stilson, J. I. Case, J. B. Parkinson, T. C. Pound, and E. A. Calkins, members of the board. 
Its organization was perfected, at the apiX)inted time, by the election of J. B. Parkinson as pre- 
sident, and W. W. I'ield, secretary. The ex-officio members of the board, were David Atwood, 



WlSCOXSrX AS A STATE. 107 

United States commissioner, and E. D. Helton, alternate From this time forward, the board 
was untiring in its efforts to secure a full and proper representation of the varied interests of 
AVisconsin in the centennial exhibition of 1876. E. A. Calkins having resigned his position as 
member of the board, Adolph Meinecke took his place by appointment of the governor July 
24, 1875. Governor Ludington, in his message to the legislature in January, 1876, spoke in 
commendation of the coming exhibition. "The occasion," said he, '"will afford an excellent 
opportunity to display the resources and products of the State, and to attract hither capital and 
immigration." 

Soon after the organization of the United States centennial commission, a national organ- 
ization of the women of the country was perfected. A lady of Philadelphia was placed at its 
head; and a presiding officer from each State was appointed. Mrs. A. C. Thorp assumed the 
duties of chairman for Wisconsin, in March, 1875, appointing assistants in various parts of the 
State, when active work was commenced. This organization was efficient in Wisconsin in 
arousing an interest in the general purposes and objects of the exhibition. 

By an act of the legislature, approved March 3, 1876, the sum of twenty thousand dollars 
was appropriated to the use of the board of centennial managers, for the purpose of arranging 
for, and making a proper exhibition of, the products, resources, and advantages of the State at 
the exposition. The treasurer of Wisconsin was, by this act, made an ex-officio member of the 
board. By this and previous action of the legislature — by efforts put tbrth by the board of 
managers — by individual enterprise — by the untiring labors of the "Women's Centennial Execu- 
tive Committee,'' to whom, by an act of the_ legislature, approved the 4th of March, 1875, one 
thousand dollars were appropriated — Wisconsin was enabled to take a proud and honorable 
position in the C'entennial Exposition — a gratification not only to the thousands of her citizens 
who visited Philadelphia during its continuance, but to the people generally, throughout the 
State. 

In Wisconsin, throughout the centennial year, those engaged in the various branches of 
agriculture and other useful avocations, were reasonably prosperous. The crop of wheat and 
oats was a light yield, and of poor quality ; but the corn crop was the largest ever before raised 
in the State, and of superior quality. The dairy and hog product was large, and commanded 
remunerative prices. Fruits were unusually plenty. Trade and business enterprises, however, 
generally remained depressed. 

By section five of article seven of the constitution of Wisconsin, the counties of the State 
were apportioned into five judicial circuits • the county of Richland being attached to Iowa, 
Chi])pewa to Crawford, and La Fointe to St. Croix. In 1850, the fifth circuit was divided, and a 
sixth circuit formed. In 1864, Crawford and Richland were made part of the fifth circuit. By 
an act which took effect in 1S54, a seventh circuit was formed. On the first day of January, 
1S55, the sixth circuit was divided, and an eighth and ninth circuit formed, the county of 
Columbia being made a part of the last mentioned one. In the same year was also formed a 
tenth circuit; and, in 1858, Winnebago county was attached to it; but, in 1870, that county was 
attached to the third circuit. In 1858, Kewaunee county was attached to the fourth circuit. 
An eleventh circuit was formed in 1864, from which, in 1865, Dallas county was detached, and 
made part of the eighth. By an act which took effect on the first day of January, 1S71, the 
twelfth circuit was formed. In 1876, a thirteenth circuit was " constituted and re-organized." 

At that time, the whole sixty counties of the State stood apportioned in the thirteen judicial 
circuits as follows: First circuit, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha; second circuit, Milwaukee, 
and Waukesha, third circuit, Green Lake, Dodge, Wasiiington, Ozaukee, and Winnebago; 
fourth circuit, Sheboygan, Calumet, Kewaunee, Fond du Lac, and Manitowoc ; fifth circuit. 



108 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Grant, Iowa, La Fayette, Richland, and Crawford ; sixth circuit, Clark, Jackson, Monroe, La 
Crosse, and Vernon; seventh circuit, Portage, Marathon, Waupaca, Wood, Waushara, Lincoln, 
and Taylor; eighth circuit, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix; ninth circuit, Adams, Columbia; 
Dane, Juneau, Sauk and Marquette ; tenth circuit, Outagamie, Oconto, Shawano, Door, and 
Brown eleventh circuit, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, and Polk ; 
twelfth circuit, Rock, Green, and Jefferson; and the thirteenth circuit, Buffalo, Eau Claire, and 
Trempeleau, Marinette and New are now in the tenth ; Price is in the seventh circuit. 

The thirtieth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced, pursuant to law, 
on the loth of January, 1877. The republicans had working majorities in both houses. J. B. 
Cassoday was elected Speaker of the Assembly. Governor Ludington delivered his message to 
the joint convention of the legislature the following day. " We should not seek," said he, in 
his concluding remarks, " to conceal from ourselves the fact that the prosperity which our people 
have enjoyed for a number of years past, has suffered some interruption, .\griculture has ren- 
dered less return ; labor in all departments has been less productive, and trade has consequently 
been less active, and has realized a reduced percentage of profit." "These adverse circum- 
stances," continued the governor, " will not be wholly a misfortune if we heed the lesson that 
they convey. This lesson is the necessity of strict economy in public and private affairs. We 
have been living upon a false basis ; and the time has now come when we must return to a solid 
foundation." The legislature adjourned sine die on the Sth of March, after a session of fifty- 
eight days, passing three hundred and one acts — one hundred and thirteen less than at the 
session of 1876. The most imj)ortant of these, as claimed by the dominant party which passed 
it, is one for the maintenance of the purity of the ballot box, known as the " Registry Law." On 
the 3d day of .-Xpril, at the regular Spring election, William P. Lyon was re-elected, without 
opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court for six years from the first Monday in 
January, 187S, his term of office expiring on the first Monday .of January, 1884. 

Under a law of 1S76, to provide for the revision of the statutes of the State, the justices of 
the supreme court were authorized to appoint three revisors. The persons receiving the appoint- 
ment were David Taylor, William F. Vilas and J. P. C. Cottrill. By an amendatory law of 1S77, 
for the purpose of having the revision completed for the session of 1878, the justices of the 
supreme court were authorized to appoint two additional revisors, and assign them special duties 
on the commission. H. S. Orton was appointed to revise the criminal law and proceedings, and 
J. H. Carpenter to revise the probate laws. 

Governor Ludington declined being a candidate for renomination. His administration was 
characterized as one of practical efficiency. As the chief e.xecutive officer of Wisconsin, he kept 
in view the best interests of the State. In matters coming under his control, a rigid system of 
economy prevailed. 

There were three tickets in the field presented to the electors of Wisconsin for their suffrages 
at the general election held on the sixth of November, 1877 : republican, democratic, and the 
"greenback" ticket. The republicans were successful, electing William E. Smith, governor ; 
James M. Bingham, lieutenant governor; Hans B. Warner, secretary of state; Richard Guenther, 
treasurer; Alexander Wilson, attorney general ; and William C. Whitford, state superintendent 
of public instruction. At the same election two amendments to the constitution of the State 
were voted upon and both adopted. The first one amends section four of article seven; so that, 
hereafter, "the supreme court shall consist of one chief justice and four associate justices, to be 
elected by the qualified electors of the State. The legislature shall, at its first session after the 
adoption of this amendment, provide by law for the election of two associate justices of said 
court, to hold their offices respectively for terms ending two and four years, respectively after the 



WISCONSIN" AS A STATE. 



109 



end of the term of the justice of the said court then last to expire. And thereafter the chief 
justices and associate justices of said court shall be elected and hold their offices respectively 
for the term of ten years." The second one amends section two of article eight; so that, hete- 
after, " no money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation by 
law. No appropriation shall be made for the payment of any claim against the State, except 
claims of the United States, and judgments, unless filed within six years after the claim accrued." 
The year 1877, in Wisconsin, was notable for excellent crops. A depression in monetary 
matters continued, it is true, but not without a reasonable prospect of a change for the better 
within the near future. 

Sixteenth Administration. — -William E. Smith, Governor — 1878 — 1879. 

At noon, on Monday, January 7, 187S, began the sixteenth administration of Wisconsin, by 
the inauguration of the State officers elect. On the 9th of the same month, commenced the 
thirty-first regular session of the Legislature. A. R. Barrows was elected Speaker of the Assembly. 
On the day following. Governor Smith delivered his message — a calm, business-like document — to 
the Legislature. Both Houses adjourned sine die on the 21st of March following. On the ist day 
of April, Harlow S. Orton and David Taylor were elected Associate Justices of the Supreme Court ; 
the term of the first named to expire on the first Monday of January, 1888 ; that of the last men- 
tioned, on the first Monday of January, 1S86. Li obedience to a proclamation of the Governor, 
the Legislature convened on the 4th day of June, A. D. 1878, in extra session, to revise the statutes, 
A. R. Barrows was elected Speaker of the Assembly. The Legislature adjourned sine die on the 
7th of the same month. In November following, the members chosen to the Forty-sixth Congress 
were C. G. Williams, in the First District ; L. B. Caswell, in the Second j George C. Hazelton, in 
the Third ; P. V. Deuster, in the Fourth ; E. S. Bragg, in the Fifth ; Gabriel Bouck, in the Sixth ; 
H. L. Humphrey, in the Seventh; and T. C. Pound, in the Eighth. The thirty-second regular 
session of the Legislature commenced on the 8th day of January, 1879. D. M. Kelly was elected 
Speaker of the Assembly ; the next day, the message of the Governor — a brief, but able State 
paper — was delivered to both Houses. On the 21st, Matthew H. Carpenter was elected United 
States Senator for six years, from the 4th of March thereafter, in place of Timothy O. Howe. 
The Legislature adjourned sine die on the 5th of March, 1879. On the ist day of April following, 
Orsamus Cole was elected Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, for a term of ten years. 

Wisconsin has many attractive features. It is a healthy, fertile, well-watered and well-wooded 
State. Every where within its borders the rights of each citizen are held sacred. Intelligence and 
education are prominent characteristics of its people. All the necessaries and many of the comforts 
and luxuries of life are easily to be obtained. .Agriculture, the chief source of wealth to so many 
nations, is here conducted with profit and success. Generally speaking, the farmer owns the 
land he cultivates. Here, the laboring man, if honest and industrious, is most certain to secure 
a competence for himself and family. Few States have made more ample provisions for the 
unfortunate — the deaf and dumb, the blind, and the insane— than has Wisconsin. Nor has she 
been less interested in her reformatory and penal institutions. In her educational facilities, she 
already rivals the most advanced of her sister States. Her markets are easily reached by rail- 
ways and water-navigation, so that the products of the country find ready sale. Her commerce 
is extensive ; her manufactures remunerative; her natural resources great and manifold. In 
morality and religion, her standard is high. Her laws are lenient, but not lax, securing tlie 
greatest good to those who are disposed to live up to their requirements. Wisconsin has, in 
fact, all the essential elements of prosperity and good government. Exalted and noble, there- 
fore, must be her future career. 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 



By T. C. CHAMBERLIN, A. M., State Geologist. 



The surface features of Wisconsin are simple and symmetrical in character, and present a con- 
figuration intermediate between the mountainous, on the one hand, and a monotonous level, on the 
other. The highest summits within the state rise a little more than 1,200 feet above its lowest sur- 
faces. A few exceptional peaks rise from 400 to 600 feet above their bases, but abrupt elevations of 
more than 200 or 300 feet are not common. Viewed as a whole, the state may be regarded as oc- 
cupying a swell of land lying between three notable depressions; Lake Michigan on the east, about 
578 feet above the mean tide of the ocean, Lake Superior on the north, about 600 feet above the 
sea, and the valley of the Mississippi river, whose elevation at the Illinois state line is slightly below 
that of Lake Michigan. From these depressions the surface slopes upward to the summit altitudes 
of the state. But the rate of ascent is uneeiual. From Lake Michigan the surface rises by a long, 
gentle acclivity westward and northward. A similar slope ascends from the Mississippi valley to 
meet this, and their junction forms a north and south arch extending nearly the entire length of the 
state. From Lake Superior the surface ascends rapidly to the watershed, which it reaches within 
about thirty miles of the lake. 

If we include the contiguous portion of the upper peninsula of Michigan, the whole elevation 
may be looked upon as a very low, rude, three-sided pyramid, with rounded angles. The apex is 
near the Michigan line, between the headwaters of the Montreal and Brule rivers. The 
northern side is short and abrupt. The southeastward and southwestward sides are long, and 
decline gently. The base of this pyramid may be considered as, in round numbers, 600 feet 
above the sea, and its extreme apex 1,800 feet. 

Under the waters of Lake .Michigan the surface of the land passes below the sea level 
before the limits of the state are reached. Under Lake Superior the land-surface descends to 
even greater depths, but probably not within the boundaries of the state. The regularity of the 
southward slopes is interrupted in a very interesting way by a remarkable diagonal valley 
occupied by Green bay and the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. This is a great groove, traversing 
the state obliquely, and cutting down the central elevation half its height. A line passing across 
the surface, from Lake .Michigan to the Mississippi, at any other point, would arch upward from 
about 400 to 1,000 feet, according to the location, while along the trough of this valley it would 
reach an elevation barely exceeding 200 feet. On the northwest side of this trough, in general, 
the surface rises somewhat gradually, giving at most points much amplitude to the valley, but 
on the opiwsite side, the slope ascends rapidly to a well marked watershed that stretches across 
the state parallel to the valley. At Lake Winnebago, this diagonal valley is connected with a 
scarcely less notable one, occupied by the Rock river. Geologically, this Green-bay -Rock« 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. Ill 

river valley is even more noticeable, since it lies along the trend of the underlying strata, and 
was in large measure plowed out of a soft stratum by glacial action. Where it crosses the water- 
shed, near Horicon marsh, it presents the same general features that are seen at other points, 
and in an almost equally conspicuous degree. Except in the southern part of the state, this 
valley is confined on the east by an abrupt ascent, and, at many points, by a precipitous, rocky 
acclivity, known as "The Ledge" — which is the projecting edge of the strata of the Niagara 
limestone. On the watershed referred to — between the St. Lawrence and Mississippi basins — 
this ledge is as conspicuous and continuous as at other points, so that we have here again the 
phenomenon of a valley formed by excavation, running up over an elevation of 300 feet, and 
connecting two great systems of drainage. 

On the east side of this valley, as already indicated, there is a sharp ascent of 200 feet, 
on an average, from the crest of which the surface slopes gently down to Lake Michigan. The 
uniformity of this slope is broken by an extended line of drift hills, lying obliquely along it and 
extending from Kewaunee county southward to the Illinois line and known as t!ie Kettle range. 
.\ less conspicuous range of similar character branches off from this in the northwest corner ot 
Walworth count)' and passes across the Rock river valley, where it curves northward, passing 
west of Madison, crossing the great bend in the Wisconsin river, and bearing northeastward 
into Oconto county, where it swings round to the westward and crosses the northern part of the 
state. As a general topographical feature it is not conspicuous and is rather to be conceived as 
a peculiar chain of drift hills winding over the surface of the state, merely interrupting in some 
degree the regularity of its slopes There will be occasion to return to this feature in our 
discussion of the drift. It will be observed that the southeastward slope is interrupted by 
valleys running across it, rudely parallel to Lake Michigan, and directing its drainage northward 
and southward, instead of directing it down the slo[)e into the lake. 

The Mississippi slope presents several conspicuous ridges and valleys, but their trend is 
Icnvard the great river, and they are all due, essentially, to the erosion of the streams that 
channel the slope. One of these ridges constitutes the divide south of the Wisconsin river, 
already referred to. Another of these, conspicuous by reason of its narrowness and sharpness, 
lies between the Kickapoo and the Mississippi, and extends through Crawford, Vernon and 
Monroe counties. Still another is formed by the quartzite ranges of Sauk county and others 
of less prominence give a highly diversified character to the slope. 

Scattered over the surface of the state are prominent hills, some swelling upward into rounded 
domes, some rising symmetrically into conical peaks, some ascending precipitously into castel- 
lated towers, and some reaching prominence without regard to beauty of form or convenience of 
description. A part of these hills were formed by the removal by erosion of the surrounding 
strata, and a part by the heaping up of drift material by the glacial Ibrces. \\\ the former case, 
they are composed of rock; in the latter, of clay, sand, gravel and bowlders. The two forms 
are often combined. The highest peak in the southwestern part of the state is the West 
Blue mound, which is 1,151 feet above Lake Michigan; in the eastern part, Lapham's peak, 824 
feet, and in the central part. Rib hill, 1263 feet. The crest of Penokee range in the northern 
part of the state rises 1,000 feet, and upwards, above Lake Michigan. 

The drainage systems correspond in general to these topograpical features, though several 
minor eccentricities are to be observed. The streams of the Lake Superior system plunge 
rapidly down their steep slopes, forming numerous falls, some of them possessing great beauty, 
prominent among which are those of the Montreal river. On the southern slope, the rivers, in the 
upper portion of their courses, likewise descend rapidly, though less so, producing a succession 
of rapids and cascades, and an occasional cataract. In the lower part of their courses, the 



112 HISTORY OF WISCOXSm. 

descent becomes much more gentle and many of them are navigable to a greater or less extent. 
The rivers west of the Wisconsin pursue an essentially direct course to the Mississippi, 
attended of course with minor flexures. The Wisconsin river lies, for the greater part of its 
course, upon the north and south arch of the state, but on encountering the diagonal valley 
above mentioned it turns southwestward to the " Father of Waters." The streams east of the 
^Visconsin flow southerly and southeasterly until they likewise encounter this valley when they 
turn in the opposite direction and discharge northeasterly into Lake Michigan, through Green 
bay. Between the Green-bay-Rock-river valley and Lake Michigan, the drainage is again in 
the normal southeasterly direction. Li the southern part of the state, the rivers flow in a gen- 
eral southerly direction, but, beyond the state, turn westward toward the Mississippi. 

If the courses of the streams be studied in detail, many exceedingly interesting and instruc- 
tive features will be observed, due chiefly to peculiarities of geological structure, some of which 
will be apparent by inspecting thj accompanying geological map. Our space, however, 
forbids our entering upon the subject here. 

The position of the watershed between the great basins of the Mississippi and the St. Law- 
rence is somewhat peculiar. On the Illinois line, it lies only three and one half miles from Lake 
Michigan and about i6o feet above its surface. As traced northward from this point, it retires 
from the lake and ascends in elevation till it approaches the vicinity of Lake Winnebago, when 
it recurves upon itself and descends to the portage between the Fox and the Wisconsin rivers, 
whence it jjursues a northerly course to the heights of Michigan, when it turns westward and 
])asses in an undulating course across the northern part of the state. It will be observed that 
much the greater area of the state is drained by the Mississippi system. 

The relationship which the drainage channels have been observed to sustain to the topo- 
graphical features is partly that of cause and partly that of effect. The general arching of the 
surface, giving rise to the main slopes, is due to deep-seated geological causes that produce an 
upward swelling of the center of the state. This determined the general drainage bysteras. On 
the other hand, the streams, acting upon strata of varying hardness, and jSresenting different atti- 
tudes, wore away the surface unequally and cut for themselves anomalous channels, leaving 
corresponding divides between, which gave origin to the minor irregularities that diversify the 
surface. In addition to this, the glacier — that great ice stream, the father of the drift — planed 
and plowed the surface and heaped up its dc'lu/s upon it, modifying both the surface and drainage 
features Looked at from a causal standpoint, we see the results of internal forces eleviting, and 
externa! asjencies cutting down, or, in a word, the face of the state is the growth of geologic ages 
fvirrowed bv the teardrops of the skies. 



GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

In harmony with the historical character of this atlas, it may be most a.cceptable to weave 
cur brief sketch of the geological structure of the state into the form of a narrative of its growth. 

THE ARCH-'EAN AGE. 

I.Al-RKNTIAN PERIOD. 

The phvsical history of Wisconsin can be traced back with certainty to a state of complete 
submergence beneath the waters of the ancient ocean, by which the material of our oldest and 
deepest strata were deposited. Let an extensive but shallow sea, covering the whole of the 
present territory of the state, be pictured to the mind, and let it be imagined to be depositing 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY 113 

mud and sand, as at the present day. and we have before us the first authentic stage of the history 
under consideration. Back of that, the history is lost in the mists of geologic antiquity. The 
thickness of the sediments that accumulated in that early period was immense, being measured 
bv thousands of feet. These sediments occupied of course an essentially horizontal position, and 
were, doubtless, in a large degree hardened into beds of impure sandstone, shale, and other sedi- 
mentary rock. But in the progress of time an enormous pressure, attended by heat, was brought 
to bear upon them laterally, or edgewise, by which they were folded and crumpled, and forced 
up out of the water, giving rise to an island, the nucleus of Wisconsin. The force which pro- 
duced this upheaval is believed to have arisen from the cooling and conse(iuent contraction of 
the globe. The foldings may be imaged as the wrinkles of a shrinking earth. But the contor- 
tion of the beds was a scarcely more wonderful result than the change in the character of the 
rock which seems to have taken place simultaneously with the folding, indeed, as the result of the 
heat and pressure attending it. The sediments, that seem to have previoi^sly taken the form of 
impure sandstone and shale for the most part, underwent a change, in which re-arrangement and 
crvstalization of the ingredients played a conspicuous part. By this metamorphism, granite, gneiss, 
mica schist, syenite, hornblende rocks, chloritic schists and other crystalline rocks were formed. 
These constitute the Laurentian formation and belong to the most ancient period yet distinctly 
recognized in geology, although there were undoubtedly more ancient rocks. They are therefore 
very fittingly termed Archaean — ancient — rocks (formerly Azoic.) No remains of life have been 
found in this formation in Wisconsin, but from the nature of rocks elsewhere, believed to be of the 
same age, it is probable that the lowest forms of life existed at this time. It is not strange that 
the great changes through which the rocks have passed should have so nearly obliterated all 
traces of them. The original extent of this Laurentian island can not now be accurately ascer- 
tained, but it will be sufficiently near the truth for our present purposes to consider the formation 
as it is now exposed, and as it is represented on the maps of the geological survey, as showing 
approximately the original extent. This will make it include a large area in the north-central 
portion of the state and a portion of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. All the rest of the state 
was beneath the ocean, and the same may be said of the greater portion of the L^nited States 
The height of this island was doubtless considerable, as it has since been very much cut down by 
denuding agencies. The strata, as now exposed, mostly stand in highly inclined attitudes and 
present their worn edges to view. The tops of the folds, of which they are the remnants, seem 
to have been cut away, and we have the nearly vertical sides remaining. 

HURONI.A.N PERIOD. 

As soon as the Laurentian island had been elevated, the waves of the almost shoreless 
ocean began to beat against it, the elements to disintegrate it, and the rains of the then tropical 
climate to wash it; and the sand, clay and other debris, thus formed, were deposited beneath the 
waters around its base, giving rise to a new sedimentary formation. There is no evidence that 
there was any vegetation on the island : the air and water were, doubtless, heavily charged with 
carbonic acid, an efficient agent of disintegration : the climate was warm and doubtless very 
moist — circumstances which combined to hasten the erosion of the island and increase the 
deposition in the surrounding sea. In addition to these agencies, we judge from the large amount 
of carbonaceous matter contained in some of the beds, that there must have been an abundance 
of marine vegetation, and, from the limestone beds that accumulated, it is probable that there 
was marine animal life also, since in later ages that was the chief source of limestone strata. 
The joint accumulations from these several sources gave rise to a series of shales, sandstones 
and limestones, whose combined thickness was several tiiousand feet. 



114 TTTSTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

At length the process of upheaval and metamorphism that closed the Laurentian period 
was repeated, and these sandstones became quartzites; the limestones were crystalized, the 
shales were changed to slates or schists, and inte mediate grades of sediments became diorites, 
quartz- porphyries and other forms of crj'stalline rocks. The carbonaceous matter was changed 
in part to graphite. There were also associated with these deposits extensive beds of iron ore, 
which we now find chiefly in the form of magnetite, hematite and specular ore. These constitute 
the Huronian rocks. From the amount of iron ore they contain, they are also fittingly termed 
the iron-bearing series. As in tlie preceding case, the strata were contorted, flexed and folded, 
and the whole island was further elevated, carrying with it these circumjacent strata, by which 
its extent was much enlarged. The area of the island after receiving this increment was con- 
siderably greater than the surface represented as Laurentian and Huronian on the accompanying 
map, since it was subsequently covered to a considerable extent by later formations. Penokee 
range, in Ashland county, is the most conspicuous development of the Huronian rocks in the 
state. The upturned edge of the formation forms a bold rampart, extending across the country 
for sixty miles, making the nearest approach to a mountain range to be found within the state. 
A belt of magnetic schist may 'be traced nearly its entire length. In the northern part of 
Oconto county. , there is also an important development of this formation, being an extension 
of the Menomonee iron-bearing series. A third area is found in Barron county, which includes 
deix)sits of pipestone. In the south central part of the stale there are a considerable number 
of small areas and isolated outliers of quartzite and quartz-porphyry, that, without much doubt, 
belong to this series. The most conspicuous of these are the Baraboo quartzite ranges, in 
Sauk and Columbia counties, and from thence a chain of detached outliers extends northeasterly 
through several counties. The most southerly exposure of the formation is m^ar Lake Mills, in 
JefTerson county. 

THE COPPER-BEARING SERIES. 

Previous to the upheaval of the Huronian strata, there occurred in the Lake Superior region 
events of peculiar and striking interest. If we may not speak with absolute assurance, we may 
at least say with reasonable probability, that the crust of the earth was fissured in that region, 
and that there issued from beneath an immense mass of molten rock, that spread itself over an 
area of more than three hundred miles in length and one hundred miles in width. The action 
was not confined to a single overflow, liut eruption followed eruption, sometimes apparently in 
quick succession, sometimes evidently at long intervals. Each outpouring, when solidified, 
formed a stratum of trap rock, and where these followed each other without any intervening 
deposit, a series of trappean beds were formed. In some cases, however, an interval occurred, 
during which the waves, acting upon the rock previously formed, produced a bed of sand, gravel 
and clay, which afterward solidified into sandstone, con'glomerate and shale. The history of 
these beds is lithographed ou their surface in beautiful ripple-marks and other evidences of wave- 
action. After the cessation of the igneous eruptions, there accumulated a vast thickness of 
sandstone, shale and conglomerate, so that the whole series is literally miles in thickness. 

The eruptive portions have been spoken of as traps, for convenience; but they do not now 
possess the usual characteristics of igneous rocks, and appear to have undergone a chemical 
metamorphism by which the mineral ingredients have been changed, the leading ones now being 
an iron chlorite and a feldspar, with which are associated, as accessory minerals, quartz, epidote, 
prenite, calcite, laumontite, analcite, datolite, magnetite, native copper and silver, and, more 
rarely, other minerals. The rock, as a whole, is now known as a melaphyr. The upper portion 
of each bed is usually characterized by almond-sized cells filled with the minerals above men- 
tioned, giving to the rock an amygdaloidal nature. The native copper was not injected in a 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 115 

molten state, as has verj' generally been supposed, but was deposited by chemical means aftei 
the beds were formed and after a portion of the chemical change of the minerals above mentioned 
had been accomplished. The same is true of the silver. The copper occurs in all the different 
forms of. rock — the melaphyrs, amygdaloids, sandstones, shales and conglomerates, but most 
abundantly in the amygdaloids and certain conglomerates. 

This series extends across the northern portion of the state, occupying portions of Ashland, 
ISayfield, Douglas, Burnett and Polk counties. When the Huronian rocks were elevated, they 
carried these up with them, and they partook of the folding in some measure. The copper- 
bearing range of Keweenaw Point, Michigan, extends southwestward through Ashland, Burnett 
and Polk counties, and throughout this whole extent the beds dip north-northwesterly toward 
Lake Superior, at a high angle; but in Douglas and Bayfield counties there is a parallel range 
in which the beds incline in the opposite direction, and undoubtedly form the opposite side of a 
trough formed by a downward flexure of the strata. 

PALEOZOIC TIME — SI LU RIAN AGE. 

Potsdam S.\ndstone. 

After the great Archaean upheaval, there followed a long period, concerning wnich very little 
is known — a "' lost interval " in geological history. It is only certain that immense erosion of 
the Archjean strata took place, and that in time the sea advanced upon the island, eroding its 
strata and redepositing the wash and wear beneath its surface. The more resisting beds with- 
stood this advance, and formed reefs and rocky islands off the ancient shore, about whose bases 
tlie sands and sediments accumulated, as they did over the bottom of the surrounding ocean. 
The breakers, dashing against the rocky cliffs, threw down masses of rock, which imbedded them- 
selves in the sands, or were rolled and rounded on the beach, and at length were buried, in 
either case, to tell their own history, when they should be again disclosed by the ceaseless gnaw- 
ings of the verj' elements that had buried them. In addition to the accumulations of wash and 
wear that have previously been the main agents of rock-formations, abundant life now swarms in 
the ocean, and the sands become the great cemetery of its dead. Though the contribution of each 
little being was small, the myriad millions that the waters brought forth, yielded by their remains, 
a large contribution to the accumulating sediments. Among plants, there were sea-weeds, and 
among animals, protozoans, radiates, mollusks and articulates, all the sub-kingdoms except the 
vertebrates. Among these, the most remarkable, both in nature and number, were the trilobites, 
who have left their casts in countless multitudes in certain localities. The result of the action 
of these several agencies was the formation of e.xtensive beds of sandstone, with interstratified 
layers of limestone and shale. These surrounded the Archaean nucleus on all sides, and reposed 
on its flanks. On the Lake Superior margin, the sea acted mainly upon the copper and iron- 
bearing series, which are highly ferruginous, and the result wa, the red Lake Superior sandstone. 
On the opposite side of the island, the wave-action was mainly upon quartzites, porphyries and 
granites, and resulted in light-colored sandstones. The former is confined to the immediate 
vicinity of Lake Superior; the latter occupies a broad, irregular belt bordering the Archaean 
area on the south, and, being widest in the central part of the state, is often likened to a rude 
crescent. The form and position of the area will be best apprehended by referring to the 
accompanying map. It will be understood from the foregoing description, that the strata of this 
formation lie in a nearly horizontal position, and repose unconformably upon the worn surface 
of tlie crystalline rocks. The close of this period was not marked by any great upheaval; there 



116 HISTORY OF WISCOJTSIN. 

was no crumpling or metamorphism of the strata, and they have remained to the present dav 
very much as they were originally deposited, save a slight arching upward in the central 
porti.nof the state. The beds have been somewhat compacted by the pressure of superin- 
cumbent strata and solidified by the cementing action of calcareous and ferruginous waters, and 
by their own coherence, but the original character of the formation, as a great sand-bed, has not 
been obliterated. It still bears the ripple-marks, cross-lamination, worm-burrows, and similar 
markings that characterize a sandy beach. Its thickness is very irregular, owing to the uneven- 
ness of its Archaaan bottom, and may be said to range from i,ooo feet downward. The strata 
slope gently away from the Archaean core of the state and underlie all the later formations, and 
may be reached at any point in southern Wisconsin by penetrating to a sufficient depth, which 
can be calculated with an approximate correctness. As it is a water-bearing formation, and the 
source of fine Artesian wells, this is a fact of much importance. The interbedded layers of lime- 
stone and shale, by supplying impervious strata, very much enhance its value as a source of 

fountains. 

Lower Magnesian Limestone. 

During the previous period, the accumulation of sandstone gave place for a time to the 
formation of limestone, and afterward the deposit of sandstone was resumed. At its close, with- 
out any very marked disturbance of existing conditions, the formation of limestone was resumed, 
and progressed with little interruption till a tiiickness ranging from 50 to 250 feet was attained. 
This variation is due mainly to irregularities of the upper surface of the formation, which is 
undulating, and in some localities, may appropriately be termed billowy, the surface rising and 
falling 100 feet, in some cases, within a short distance. This, and the preceding similar deposit, 
have been spoken of as limestones simply, but they are really dolomites, or magnesian limestones, 
since they contain a large proportion of carbonate of magnesia. This rock also contains a 
notable quantity of silica, which occurs disseminated through the mass of the rock; or, variously, 
as nodules or masses of chert ; as crystals of quartz, filling or lining drusy cavities, forming 
beautiful miniature grottos; as the nucleus of oolitic concretions, or as sand. Some argillaceous 
matter also enters into its composition, and small quantities of the ores of iron, lead and copper, 
are sometimes found, but they give little promise of value. The evidences of life are very 
scanty. Some sea-weeds, a few moUusks, and an occasional indication of other forms of life 
embrace the known list, except at a few favored localities where a somewhat ampler fauna is 
found. But it is not, therefore, safe to assume the absence of life in the depositing seas, for it 
is certain that most limestone has orignated from the remains of animals and plants that secrete 
calcareous material, and it is most consistent to believe that such was the case in the present 
instance, and that the distinct traces of life were mostly obliterated. This formation occupies an 
irregular belt skirting the Potsdam area. It was, doubtless, originally a somewhat uniform band 
swinging around the nucleus of the state already formed, but it has since been eroded by 
streams to its present jagged outline. 

St. Peter's Sandstone. 

At the close of this limestone-making period, there appears to have been an interval of which 
we have no record, and the next chapter of the history introduces us to another era of sand 
accumulation. The work began by the leveling up of the inequalities of the surface of the Lower 
Magnesian limestone, and it ceased before that was entirely accomplished in all parts of the 
State, for a few prominences were left projecting through the sand deposits. The material laid 
down consisted of a silicious sand, of uniform, well-rounded — doubtless well-rolled — grains. This 
was evidently deposited horizontally upon the uneven limestone surface, and so rests in a st.-nse 



TOPOGRAPHY AXD GEOLOGY. 117 

unconformably upon it. Where the sandstone abuts against the sides of the limestone promi- 
nences, it is mingled with material derived by wave action from them, which tells the story of 
its formation. But aside from these and other exceptional impurities, the formation is a very 
pure sandstone, and is used for glass manufacture. At most points, the sandstone has never become 
firmly cemented and readily crumbles, so that it is used for mortar, the simple handling with pick 
and shovel being sufficient to reduce it to a sand. Owing to the unevenness of its bottom, it 
varies greatly in thickness, the greatest yet observed being 212 feet, but the average is less than 
100 feet. Until recently, no organic remains had ever been found in it, and the traces now col- 
lected are very meager indeed, but they are sufficient to show the e.xistence of marine life, and 
demonstrate that it is an oceanic deposit. The rarity of fossils is to be attributed to the porous 
nature of the rock, which is unfavorable to their preservation. This porosity, however, subserves 
a very useful purpose, as it renders this pre-eminently a water-bearing horizon, and supplies some 
of the finest Artesian fountains in the state, and is competent to furnish many more. It occupies 
but a narrow area at the surface, fringing that of the Lower Magnesian limestone on the south. 
See map. 

Trenton Limestone. 

A slight change in the oceanic conditions caused a return to limestone formation, accompa- 
nied with the deposit of considerable clayey material, which formed shale. The origin of the 
limestone is made evident by a close examination of it, which shows it to be full of fragments of 
shells, corals, and other organic remains, or the impressions they have left. Countless numbers 
of the lower forms of life flourished in the seas, and left their remains to be comminuted and 
consolidated into limestone. A part of the time, the accumulation of clayey matter predominated, 
and so layers of shale alternate with the limestone beds, and shaly leaves and partings occur in 
the limestone layers. Unlike the calcareous strata above and below, a portion of these are true 
limestone, containing but a very small proportion of magnesia. A sufficient amount of carbon- 
aceous matter is present in some layers to cause them to burn readily. This formation is quite 
highly metalliferous in certain portions of the lead region, containing zinc especially, and con- 
siderable lead, with less quantities of other metals. The formation abounds in fossils, many of 
them well preserved, and, from their great antiquity, they possess uncommon interest. All the 
animal sub-kingdoms, except vertebrates, are represented. The surface area of this rock borders 
the St. Peter's sandstone, but, to avoid too great complexity on the map, it is not distinguished from 
the next formation to which it is closely allied. Its thickness reaches 120 feet. 

The Galena Limestone. 

With scarcely a change of oceanic conditions, limestone deposit continued, so that we find 
reposing upon the surface of the Trenton limestone, 250 feet, or less, of a light gray or bufT 
colored highly magnesian limestone, occurring in heavy beds, and having a sub-crystalline struc- 
ture. In the southern portion of the state, it contains but little shaly matter, but in the north- 
eastern part, it is modified by the addition of argillaceous layers and leaves, and presents a bluish 
or greenish-gray aspect. It receives its name from the sulphide of lead, — galena, of which it 
contains large quantities, in the southwestern part of the state. Zinc ore is also abundant, and 
these minerals give to this and the underlying formation great importance in that region. Else- 
where, although these ores are present in small quantities, they have not developed economic 
importance. This limestone, it will be observed by consulting the map, occupies a large area in 
the southwestern part of the state, and a broad north and south belt in east-central Wisconsin. 
It will be seen that our island is growing apace by concentric additions, and that, as the several 
formations sweep around the central nucleus of Archajan rocks, they swing off into adjoining 
states, whose formation was somewhat more tardy than that of Wisconsin 



118 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIN. 



Cincinnati Shales. 



A change ensued upon the formation of the Galena limestone, by virtue of which there fol- 
lowed the deposition of large quantities of clay, accompanied by some calcareous material, the 
whole reaching at some points a thickness of more than 200 feet. The sediment has never 
become more than partially indurated, and a portion of it is now only a bed of compact clay. 
Other portions hardened to shale or limestone according to the material. The shales are of 
various gray, green, blue, purple and other hues, so that where vertical cliffs are exposed, as along 
Green bay, a beautiful appearance is presented. As a whole, this is a very soft formation, and 
hence easily eroded. Owing to this fact, along the east side of the Green-bay-Rock-river val- 
ley, it has been extensively carried away, leaving the hard overlying Niagara limestone projecting 
in the bold cliffs known as " The Ledge." The prominence of the mounds in the southwestern 
part of the state are due to a like cause. Certain portions of this formation abound in astonish- 
ing numbers of well preserved fossils, among which corals, bryozoans, and brachiopods, pre- 
dominate, the first named being especially abundant. A little intelligent attention to these might 
have saved a considerable waste of time and means in an idle search for coal, to which a slight 
resemblance to some of the shales of the coal measures has led. This formation underlies the 
mounds of the lead region, and forms a narrow belt on the eastern margin of the Cireen-bay-Rock- 
river valley. This was the closing period of the Lower Silurian Age. 

Clinton Iron Ore. 

On the surface of the shales just described, there were accumulated, here and there, beds of pecu- 
liar lenticular iron ore. It is probable that it was deposited in detached basins, but the evidence 
of this is not conclusive. In our own state, this is chiefly known as Iron Ridge ore, from the 
remarkable development it attains at that point. It is made up of little concretions, which from 
their size and color are fancied to resemble flax seed, and hence the name " seed ore," or the 
roe of fish, and hence oolitic ore. "Shot ore" is also a common term. This is a soft ore occur- 
ring in regular horizontal beds which are quarried with more ease than ordinary limestone. This 
deposit attains, at Iron Ridge, the unusual thickness of twenty-five feet, and affords a readily 
accessible supiily of ore, adequate to all demands for a long time to come. Similar, but much 
less extensive beds, occur at Hartford, and near Depere, besides some feeble deposits elsewhere. 
Large quantities of ore from Iron Ridge have been shipped to various points in this and neigh- 
boring States for reduction, in addition to that smelted in the vicinity of the mines. 

Niagara Limestone. 

Following the period of iron deposit, there ensued the greatest limestone-forming era in the 
history of Wisconsin. During its progress a series of beds, summing up, at their points of great- 
est thickness, scarcely less than eight hundred feet, were laid down. The process of formation 
was essentially that already described, the accumulation of the calcareous secretions of marine 
life. Toward the close of the period, reefs appeared, that closely resemble the coral reefs of the 
present seas, and doubtless have a similar history. Corals form a very prominent element in the 
life of this period, and with them were associated great numbers of mollusks, one of which 
(Pentamerus oblongus) sometimes occurs in beds not unlike certain bivalves of to-day, and may 
be said to have been the oyster of the Silurian seas. At certain points, thos." wonderful animals, 
the stone lilies {Crirwids), grew in remarkable abundance, mounted on stems like a plant, yet 
true animals. Those unique crustaceans, the trilobites, were conspicuous in numbers and variety, 
while the gigantic cephalopods held sway over the life of the seas. In the vicinity of th.' reefs. 



TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 119 

there seem to have been extensive calcareous sand flats and areas over which fine calcareous muJ 
settled, the former resulting in a pure granular dolomite, the latter in a compact close-textured 
stone. The rock of the reefs is of very irregular structure. Of other portions of the formation, 
some are coarse heavy beds, some fine, even-bedded, close-grained layers, and some, again, irregu- 
lar, impure and cherty. All are highly magnesian, and some are among the purest dolomites 
known. The Niagara limestone occupies a broad belt lying adjacent to Lake Michigan. 

Lower Helderbkrg Limestone. 

On Mud creek, near Milwaukee, there is found a thin-bedded slaty limestone, that is 
believed to represent this period. It has neglected, however, to leave us an unequivocal record 
of its history, as fossils are extremely rare, and its stratigraphical relations and lithographical 
character are capable of more than one interpretation. Near the village of Waubeka in 
Ozaukee county, there is a similar formation, somewhat more fossiliferous, that seems to repre- 
sent the same period. The area which these occupy is very small and they play a most insignifi- 
cant part in the geology of the state. They close the record of the Silurian age in Wisconsin. 
Inuring its progress the land had been gradually emerging from the ocean and increasing its 
amplitude by concentric belts of limestone, sandstone and shale. There had been no general 
disturbance, only those slight oscillations which changed the nature of the forming rock and 
facilitated deposition, .\t its close the waters retired from the borders of the state, and an 
interval supervened, during which no additions are knovvn to have been made to its substructure. 

DEVONIAN AGE. 
Hamilton Cement Rock. 

.\fter a lapse of time, during which the uppermost Silurian and the lowest Devonian strata, 
as found elsewhere, were formed, the waters again advanced slightly upon the eastern margin of 
the state and deposited a magnesian limestone mingled with silicious and almuninous material, 
forming a combination of which a portion has recently been shown to possess hydraulic 
properties of a high degree of excellence. With this deposition there dawned a new era in the 
life-history of Wisconsin. While multitudes of protozoans, radiates, moUusks and articulates 
swarmed in the previous seasi no trace of a vertebrate has been found. The Hamilton period 
witnessed the introduction of the highest type of the animal kingdom into the Wisconsin series. 
But even then only the lowest class was represented — the fishes. The lower orders of life, as 
before, were (iresent, but the species were of the less ancient Devonian type. Precisely how far 
the deposit originally extended is not now known, as it has undoubtedly been much reduced by 
the eroding agencies that have acted upon it. That portion which remains, occupies a limited 
area on the lake shore immediately north of Milwaukee, extending inland half a dozen miles. 
The cement rock proper is found on the Milwaukee river just above the city. At the close of 
the Hamilton period the oceanic waters retired, and, if they ever subsequently encroached upon 
our territory, they have left us no permanent record of their intrusion. 

The history of the formation of the substructure of the state was, it will be observed, in an 
imusual degree, simple and progressive. Starting with a firm core of most ancient crystalline 
rocks, leaf upon leaf of stony strata were piled around it, adding belt after belt to the margin ot 
'he growing island until it extended itself far beyond the limits of our state, and coalesced witli 
the forming continent. .An ideal map of the state would show the Archaeaa nucleus surrounded 
by concentric bands of the later formations in the order of their deposition. But during all the 



120 HISTORY OF U'ISCOXSIX. 

vast lapse of time consumed in their growth, the elements were gnawing, carving and channeling 
the surface, and the outcropping edges of the formations were becoming more and more jagged, 
and now, after the last stratum had been added, and the whole had been lifted from the waters 
that gave it birth, there ensued perhaps a still vaster era, during which the history was simply 
that of surface erosion. The face of the state became creased with the wrinkles of age. The 
edges of her rocky wrappings became ragged with the wear of time. The remaining Devonian 
periods, the great Carboniferous age, the Mesozoic era, and the earlier Tertiary periods passed, 
leavine no other record than that of denudation. 



THE GT,.\CI.\L PERIOD. 

With the approach of the great Ice Age, a new chapter was opened. An immense sheet of 
ice moved slowly, but irresistibly, down from the north, planing down the prominences, filling up 
the \alleys, polishing and grooving the strata, and heaping up its rubbish of sand, gravel, clay and 
bowlders over the face of the country. It engraved the lines of its progress on the rocks, and, by 
reading these, we learn that one prodigious tongue of ice plowed along the bed of Lake Michi- 
gan, and a smaller one pushed through the valley of Green bay and Rock river, while another 
immense ice-stream flowed southwestward through the trough of Lake Superior and onward 
into Minnesota. The diversion of the glacier through these great channels seems to have left 
the southwestern portion of the state intact, and over it we find no drift accumulations. With 
the approach of a warmer climate, the ice-streams were melted backward, leaving their debris 
heaped promiscuously over the surface, giving it a new configuration. In the midst of this 
retreat, a series of halts and advances seem to have taken place in close succession, by which the 
drift was pushed up into ridges and hills along the foot of the ice, after which a more rapid 
retreat ensued. The effect of this action was to produce that remarkable chain of drift hills and 
ridges, known as the Kettle range, which we have already described as winding over the 
surface of the state in a very peculiar manner. It is a great historic rampart, recording the 
position of the edge of the glacier at a certain stage of its retreat, and doubtless at the same time 
noting a great climatic or dynamic change. 

The melting of the glacier gave rise to large quantities of water, and hence to numerous 
torrents, as well as lakes. There occurred about this time a depression of the land to the north- 
ward, which was perhaps the cause, in part or in whole, of the retreat of the ice. This gave 
origin to the great lakes. The waters advanced somewhat upon the land and deposited the red 
clay that borders Lakes Michigan and Superior and occupies the Green bay valley as far up as 
the vicinity of Fond du Lac. After several oscillations, the lakes settled down into their present 
positions. Wherever the glacier plowed over the laiid, it left an irregular sheet of commingled 
clay, sand, gravel and bowlders spread unevenly over the surface. The depressions formed by 
its irregularities soon filled with water and gave origin to numerous lakelets. Probably not one 
of the thousands of Wisconsin lakes had an existence before the glacial period. Wherever the 
great lakes advanced upon the land, they leveled its surface and left their record in lacustine 
clays and sandy beach lines. 

With the retreat of the glacier, vegetation covered the surface, and by its aid and the action 
of the elements our fertile drift soils, among the last and best of Wisconsin's formations, were 
produced. And the work still goes on- 

Beloit, .-Vug. 15, 1877. 



CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN. 

By Prof. H. H. OLDENHAGE. 

The climate of a country, or that peculiar state of the atmosphere in regard to heat and 
moisture which prevails in any given place, and which directly affects the growth of plants and 
animals, is determined by the following causes : ist. Distance from the equator. 2d. Distance 
from the sea. 3d. Height above the sea. 4th. Prevailing winds; and 5th. Local influences, 
such as soil, vegetation, and proximity to lakes and mountains. 

Of these causes, the first, distance from the equator, is by far the most important. The 
■warmest climates are necessarily those of tropical regions where the sun's rays are vertical. But 
in proceeding from the equator toward the poles, less and less heat continues to be received by 
the same extent of surface, because the rays fall more and more obliquely, and the same amount 
of heat-rays therefore spread over an increasing breadth of surface ; while, however, with the 
increase of obliijuity, more and more heat is absorbed by the atmosphere, as the amount of air 
to be penetrated is greater. If the earth's surface were either wholly land or water, and its 
atmosphere motionless, the gradations of climate would run parallel with the latitudes from the 
equator to the poles. But owing to the irregular distribution of land and water, and the prevail- 
ing winds, such an arrangement is impossible, and the determination of the real climate of a given 
region, and its causes, is one of the most difficult problems of science. 

On the second of these causes, distance from the sea, depends the difference between oce- 
anic and continental climates. Water is more slowly heated and cooled than land ; the climates 
of the sea and the adjacent land are therefore much more equable and moist than those of the 
interior. 

A decrease of temperature is noticeable in ascending high mountains. The rate at which 
the temperature fails with the height above the sea is a very variable quantity, and is influenced 
by a variety of causes, such as latitude, situation, moisture, or dryness, hour of the day and season 
of the year. As a rough approximation, however, the fall of 1° of the thermometer for every 
300 feet is usually adopted. 

Air in contact with any part of the earth's surface, tends to acquire the temperature of that 
surface. Hence, winds from the north are cold ; those from the south are warm. Winds from 
the sea are moist, and winds from the land are usually dry. Prevailing winds are the result of 
the relative distribution of atmospheric pressure blowing/zYiw places where the pressure is high- 
est, tcnvard places where it is lowest. As climate practically depends on the temperature and 
moisture of the air, and as these again depend on the prevailing winds which come charged with 
the teniperature and moisture of the regions they have traversed, it is evident that charts show- 
ing the mean pressure of the atmosphere give us the key to the climates of the different regions 
of the world. The effect of prevailing winds is seen in the moist and equable climate of West- 
ern Europe, especially Great Britain, owing to the warm and moist southwest winds; and in the 
extremes of the eastern part of North America, due to the warm and moist winds prevailing in 
summer and the Arctic blasts of winter. 



122 IIISTOHV OF WISCOXSTN. 

Among local influences which modify climate, the nature of the soil is one of the most 
important. As water absorbs much heat, wet, marshy ground usually lowers the mean tempera- 
ture. A sandy waste presents the greatest extremes. The e.\tremes of temperature are also modi- 
fied by extensive forests, which prevent the soil from being as much warmed and cooled as it 
would be if bare. Evaporation goes on more slowly under the trees, since the soil is screened 
from the sun. And as the air among the trees is little agitated by the wind, the vapor is left to 
accumulate, and hence the humidity of the air is increased. Climate is modified in a similar man- 
ner by lakes and other large surfaces of water. During summer the water cools the air and 
reduces the temperature cf the locality. In winter, on the other hand, the opposite effect is jjro- 
duced. The surface water which is cooled sinks to lower levels; the warmer water rising to the 
surface, radiates heat into the air and thus raises the temperature of the neighboring region. 
This influence is well illustrated, on a great scale, in our own state by Lake Michigan. 

It is, lastly, of importance whether a given tract of country is diversified by hills, valleys and 
mountains. Winds with their warm vapor strike the sides of mountains and are forced up into 
higher levels of the atmosphere, where the vapor is condensed into clouds. Air coming in con- 
tact, during the night or in winter, with the cooled declivities of hills and rising grounds becomes 
cooled and consequently denser and sinks to the low-lying grounds, displacing the warmer and 
lighter air. Hence, frosts often occur at these places, when no trace of them can be found at 
higher levels. For the same reason the cold of winter is generally more intense in ravines and 
valleys than on hill tops and high grounds, the valleys being a receptacle for the cold-air currents 
which descend from all sides. These currents give rise to gusts and blasts of cold wind, which 
are simply the out-rush of cold air from such basins. This is a subject of great practical impor- 
tance to fruit-grow'ers. 

In order to understand the principal features of the climate of Wisconsin, and the conditions 
on which these depend, it is necessary to consider the general climatology of the eastern United 
States. The chief characteristic of this area as a whole is, that :t is subject to great extremes — to 
all those variations of temperature which prevail from the tropical to the Arctic regions. This 
is principally due to the topographical conditions of our continent. The Rocky mountains con- 
densing the moisture of the warm winds from the Pacific and preventing them from reaching far 
inland, separate the cliniateof the Mississippi valley widelyfrom that of the Pacific slope. Between 
the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic sea there is no elevation to exceed 2,000 feet to arrest the 
flow of the hot southerly winds of summer, or the cold northerly winds of winter. From this 
results a variation of temperature hardly equaled in any part of the world. 

In determining the climates of the United States, western Europe is usually taken as the 
basis of comparison. The contrast between these regions is indeed very great. New York is in 
the same latitude with Madrid, Naples and Constantinople. Quebec is not so far north as Paris. 
London and Labrador are equi-distant from the equator ; but while England, with her mild, moist 
climate, produces an abundance of vegetation, in Labrador all cultivation ceases. In the latitude 
of Stockholm and St. Petersburg, at the 6oth ])arallel, we find in eastern North .\merica vast ice- 
fields which seldom melt. The moist and equable climate of western Europe in high latitudes 
is due to the Gulf Stream and the southwest winds of the .Vtlantic, which spread their warmth 
and moisture over the western coast. Comparison, however, shows that the climate of the Pacific 
coast of North America is quite as mild as that of western Europe ; and this is due to the same 
kind of influences, namely, to the warm, moist winds and the currents of the Pacific. And to con- 
tinue the comparison still further, in proceeding on both continents from west to east, or from 
ocean into the interior, we find a general resemblance of climatic conditions, modified greatly, it 
is true, by local influences. 



CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN. 125 

rhe extreme summer climate of the eastern United States is owing to the southerly and 
southwesterly wmds, which blow with great regularity during this season, and, after traversing 
great areas of tropical seas, bear the warmth and moisture of these seas far inland, and give this 
region the peculiar semi-tropical character of its summers. The average temperature of summer 
varies between 80° for the Gulf states, and 60° for the extreme north. While in the Gulf states 
the thermometer often rises to 100°, in the latitude of Wisconsin this occurs very seldom. During 
winter the prevailing winds are from the northwest. These cold blasts from the Arctic sea are 
deflected by the Rocky mountains, sweep down unopposed into lower latitudes, and produce all 
the rigors of an arctic winter. The mean temperature for this season varies between 60° for the 
Gulf coast and 15° for the extreme northern part of Wisconsin. In the northern part of the 
valley the cold is sometimes so intense thai the thermometer sinks to the freezing point of 
mercury. 

The extreme of heat and cold would give a continental climate if this extreme were not accom^ 
panied by a profusion of rain. The southerly winds, laden with moisture, distribute this moists 
ure with great regularity over the valley. The amount of rainfall, greater in summer than in 
winter, varies, from the Gulf of Mexico to Wisconsin, from 63 inches to 30 inches. On the At- 
lantic coast, where the distribution is m.ore equal throughout the year on account of its proximity 
to the ocean, the amount varies, from Florida to Maine, from 63 to 40 inches. The atmospheric 
movements on which, to a great extent, the climatic conditions of the eastern United States 
depend, may be summed up as follows : 

" I. That the northeast trades, deflected in their course to south and southeast winds in 
their passage through the Carribean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, are the warm and moist winds 
which communicate to the Mississippi valley and the Atlantic slope their fertility. 

" 2. That the prevalence of these winds from May to October communicates to this region 
a sub-tropical climate. 

"3. That in the region bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, the atmospheric disturbances are 
propagated from south to north ; but in the northern and middle states, owing to a prevailing 
upper current, from west to east. 

" 4. That while this upper current is cool and dry, and we have the apparent anomaly of 
rain storms traveling from west to east, at the same time the moisture supplying them comes from 
the south. 

"5. That, in the winter, the south and southeast winds rise into the upper current, while 
the west and northwest winds descend and blow as surface winds, accompanied by an extraor^ 
dinary depression of temperature, creating, as it were, an almost arctic climate. 

" 6. That the propagation of the cold winds from west to east is due to the existence of a 
warmer and lighter air to the eastward. 

"7. That in summer the westerly currents seldom blow with violence, because, in passing 
over the heated plains, they acquire nearly the same temperature as the southerly currents, but in 
winter the conditions are reversed." 

The line of conflict of these aerial currents, produced by unequal atmospheric pressure, 
shift so rapidly that the greatest changes of temperature, moisture, and wind, are experienced 
within a few hours, these changes usually affecting areas of great extent. In the old world, on 
the other hand, the mountain systems, generally running from east to west, offer an impediment, 
especially to the polar currents, and the weather is therefore not so changeable. 

Wisconsin, situated in the upper and central part of the Mississippi valley, is subject to the 
same general climatic conditions which give this whole area its peculiar climate. 

The iiighest mean summer temperature is 72" Fahrenheit in the southwestern part of the 



124 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

state, and the lowest 64° at Bayfield, Lake Superior. During the months of June, July and 
August, the thermometer often rises as higla as 90°, seldom to 100". In 1874 the mercury reached 
this high point twice at LaCrosse, and three times at Dubuque, Iowa. There are usually two or 
three of these " heated terms " during the summer, terminated by abrupt changes of temperature. 

The isotherm of 70° (an isotherm being a line connecting places having the same mean tem- 
perature) enters this state from the west, in the northern partof Grant county, touches Madison, takes 
a southerly direction through Walworth county, passes through southern Michigan, Cleveland, and 
Pittsburg, reaching the Atlantic ocean a little north of New York city. From this it is seen that 
southern Wisconsin, southern and central Michigan, northern Ohio, central Pennsylvania, and 
southern New York have nearly the same summer temperature. Northwestward this line runs 
through southern Minnesota and along the Missouri to the foot of the mountains. Eastern Ore- 
gon, at 47° 30' north latitude, has the same average summer temperature ; the line then returns 
and touches the Pacific coast at San Diego. 

The remarkable manner in which so large a body of water as Lake Michigan modifies the 
temperature has been carefully determined, so far as it relates to Wisconsin, by the late Dr. Lap- 
ham, of Milwaukee. It is seen by the map that the average summer temperature of Racine is 
the same as that of St. Paul. The weather map for July, 1875, in the signal service report for 
1876, shows that the mean temperature for July was the same in Rock county, in the southern 
part of the state, as that of Breckenridge, Minn., north of St. Paul. The moderating effect of 
the lake during hot weather is felt in the adjacent region during both day and night. 

Countries in the higher latitudes having an e.xtreme summer temperature are usually charac- 
terized by a small amount of rain-fall. The Mississippi valley, however, is directly exposed in 
spring and summer to the warm and moist winds from the south, and as these winds condense 
their moisture by coming in contact witii colder upper currents from the north and west, it has a 
profusion of rain which deprives the climite largely of its continental features. As already 
stated, the average amount of rain-fall in Wisconsin is about 30 inches annually. Of this amount 
about one-eighth is precipitated in winter, three-eighths in summer, and the rest is equally dis- 
tributed between spring and autumn — in other words, rain is abundant at the time of the year 
when it is most needed. In Wisconsin the rainfall is greatest in the southwestern part of the 
state; the least on and along the shore of Lake Michigan. This shows that the humidity of the 
air of a given area can be greater, and the rainfall less, than that of some other. 

In comparison with western Europe, even where the mean temperature is higher than ip the 
Mississippi valley, the most striking fact in the climatic conditions of the United States is the 
great range of plants of tropical or sub-tropical origin, such as Indian corn, tobacco, etc. The 
conditions on which the character of the vegetation depends are temperature and moisture, and 
the mechanical and chemical composition of the soil. 

"The basis of this great capacity (the great range of plants) is the high curve of heat and 
moisture for the summer, and the fact that the measure of heat and of rain are almost or quite 
tropical for a period in duration from one to five months, in the range from Quebec to the coast 
of the Gulf." Indian corn attains its full perfection between the summer isotherms 72^^ and 77°, 
in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas ; but it may be grown up to the line of 65°, which includes 
the whole of Wisconsin. The successful cultivation of this important staple is due to the mtense 
heat of summer and a virgin soil rich in nitrogen. 

While Milwaukee and central Wisconsin have a mean annual temperature of 45°, that of 
southern Ireland and central England is 50°; the line of 72", the average temperature for July, 
runs from Walworth county to St. Paul, while during the same month Ireland and England have 
a mean temperature of only 60". In Wisconsin the thermometer rises as high as 90*^ and above. 



CLIMATOLOGY OV WLSCOXSIN. 125 

■while the range above the mean in England is very small. It is the tropical element of our sum- 
mers, then, that causes the grape, the corn, etc., to ripen, while England, with a higher mean 
temperature, is unable to mature them successfully. Ireland, where southern plants may remain 
out-doors, unfrosted, the whole winter, can not mature those fruits and grasses which ripen in 
Wisconsin. In England a depression of 2" below the mean of 60° will greatly reduce the quan- 
tity, or prevent the ripening of wheat altogether, 60" being essential to a good crop. Wheat, re- 
quiring a lower temperature than corn, is better adapted to the chmate of Wisconsin. This grain 
may be grown as far north as Hudson bay. 

Autumn, including September, October and November, is of short duration in Wisconsin. 
North of the 42d parallel, or the southern boundary line of the state, November belongs properly 
to the winter months, its mean temperature being about 32°. The decrease of heat from August to 
September is generally from 8" to 9°; 11° from September Co October, and 14° from October to 
November. The average temperature for these three months is about 45°. A beautiful season, 
commonly known as Indian summer, frequently occurs in the latter part of October and in No- 
vember. This period is characterized by a mild temperature and a hazy, calm atmosphere. 
According to Loomis, this appears to be due to "an uncommonly tranquil condition of the atmos- 
phere, during which the air becomes filled with dust and smoke arising from numerous fires, by 
-which its transparency is greatly impaired." This phenomenon extends as far north as Lake 
Superior, but it is more conspicuous and i)rotracted in Kansas and Missouri, and is not observed 
in the southern states. 

Destructive frosts generally occur in September, and sometimes in August. " A temperature 
of 36° to 40° at sunrise is usually attended with frosts destructive to vegetation, the position of 
the thermometer being usually such as to represent less than the actual refrigeration at the open 
surface.'' In 1875, during October, at Milwaukee, the mercury fell seven times below the freez- 
ing point, and twice below zero in November, the lowest being 14". 

The winters are generally long and severe, but occasionally mild and almost without snow. 
The mean winter temperature varies between 23^ in the southeastern part of the state, and i5" at 
Ashland, m the northern. For this season the extremes are great. The line of 20° is of im- 
portance, as it marks the average temperature which is fatal to the growth of all the tender trees, 
such as the pear and the peach. In the winter of 1875 and 1876, the mean temperature for De- 
cember, January and February, in the upper lake region, was about 4° above the average mean 
for many yearS; while during the previous winter the average temperature for January and Feb- 
ruary was about 12° below the mean for many years, showing a great difference between cold and 
mild winters. In the same winter, i875-'76, at Milwaukee, the thermometer fell only six times 
below zero, the lowest being 12°, while during the preceding winter the mercury sank thirty-six 
times below zero, the lowest being 23". In the northern and northwestern part of the state the 
temperature sometimes falls to the freezing point of mercury. During the exceptionally cold 
Winter of 1872-3, at La Crosse, the thermometer sank nearly fifty times below zero; on Decem- 
ber 24, it indicated 37° below, and on January 18, 43° below zero, averaging about 12° below 
the usual mean for those months. The moderating effect of Lake Michigan can be seen 
by observing how the lines indicating the mean winter temperature curve northward as they 
approach the lake. Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Two Rivers, and the Grand Traverse 
region of Michigan, have the same average wintet temperature. The same is true regarding 
Galena, 111., Beloit, and Kewaunee. .\ similar influence is noticed in all parts of the state. Dr. 
Lapham concludes that this is not wholly due to the presence of Lake Michigan, but that the 
mountain range which extends from a little west of Lake Superior to the coast of Labrador (from 
1,100 to 2,240 feet high) protects the lake region in no inconsiderable degree from the excessive 
•cold of winter. 



126 HISTORY OF AVISCOXSIX. 

According to the same authority, the time at which the ililwatikee river was closed \vi h ice,, 
for a period of nine years, varied between November 15 and December i ; the time at which it 
became free from ice, between March 3 and April 13. In the lake district, snow and rain are 
interspersed through all the winter months, rain being sometimes as profuse as at any other sea- 
son. In the northwestern part the winter is more rigid and dry. Northern New York and the 
New England states usually have snow lying on the ground the whole winter, but in the southern 
lake district it rarely remains so long. In 1842-43, however, sleighing commenced about the 
middle of November, and lasted till about the same time in April — five months. 

The average temperature for the three months of spring, March, April and May, from Wal- 
worth county to St. Paul, is about 45°. In central Wisconsin the mean for March is about 27°, 
which is an increase of nearly 7'' from February. The lowest temperature of this month in 
1876 was 40° above zero. April shows an average increase of about 9° over March. In 1876 
the line of 45° for this month passed from LaCrosse to Evanston, 111., touching Lake Erie at 
Toledo, showing that the interior west of Lake Michigan is warmer than the lake region. The 
change from winter to spring is more sudden in the interior than in the vicinity of the lakes. 
" In the town of Lisbon, fifteen miles from Lake Michigan," says Dr. Lapham, " early spring 
flowers show themselves about ten days earlier than on the lake. In spring vegetation, in places 
remote from the lakes, shoots up in a very short time, and flowers show their petals, while on the 
lake shore the cool air retards them and brings them more gradually into existence." The in- 
crease from April to May is about 15". In May, 1S76, Pembina and Milwaukee had nearly the 
same mean temperature, about 55". 

The extremes of our climate and the sudden changes of temperature no doubt have a 
marked influence, both physically and mentally, on the American people. And though a more 
equable climate may be more conducive to perfect health, the great range of our climate from 
arctic to tropical, and the consequent variety and abundance of vegetable products, combine to 
make the Mississippi valley perhaps one of the most favorable areas in the world for the develop- 
-nent of a strong and wealthy nation. 

During the months of summer, in the interior of the eastern United States, at least three- 
fourths of the rain-fall is in showers usually accompanied by electiical discharges and limited to 
small areas. But in autumn, winter, and spring nearly the whole precipitation takes place in 
general storms extending over areas of 300, 500 and sometimes over 1,000 miles in diameter, and 
generally lasting two or three days. An area of low atmospheric pressure causes the wind to blow 
toward that area from all sides, and when the depression is sudden and great, it is accompanied 
by much rain or snow. On account of tiie earth's rotation, the wind blowing toward this region 
of low pressure is deflected to the right, causing the air to circulate around the center with a 
motion spirally inward. In our latitude the storm commences with east winds. When the storm 
center, or area of lowest barometer, is to the south of us, the wind gradually veers, as the storm 
passes from west to east with the upper current, round to the northwest by the north point. 
On the south side of the storm center, the wind veers from southeast to southwest, by the south 
point. The phenomena attending such a storm when we are in or near the part of its center are 
usually as follows : After the sky has become overcast with clouds, the wind from the northeast 
generally begins to rise and blows in the opposing direction to the march of the storm. The 
clouds which are now moving over us, discharge rain or snow according to circumstances. The 
barometer continues to fall, and the rain or snow is brought obliquely down from the northern 
quarter by the prevailing wind. After a while the wind changes slightly in diiection and then 
ceases. The thermometer rises and the barometer has reached its lowest point. This is the center 
of the storm. After the calm the wind has changed its direction to northwest or west. The 



CLTMATOLOfiY OF M'ISCONSIN. 127 

wind blows again, usually more violently than before, accompanied by rain or snow, which is now 
generally of short duration. The sky clears, and the storm is suddenly succeeded by a tempera- 
ture 10 or 20 degrees below the mean. Most of the rain and snow falls with the east winds, or 
before the center passes a given point. The path of these storms is from west to east, or nearly 
so, and only seldom in other directions. These autumn, winter, and spring rains are generally 
first noticed on the western plains, but may originate at any point along their path, and move 
eastward with an average velocity of about 20 miles an hour in summer and 30 miles in winter, 
but sometimes attaining a velocity of over 50 miles, doing great damage on the lakes. In pre- 
dicting these storms, the signal service of the army is of incalculable practical benefit, as well 
as in collecting data for scientific conclusions. 

A subject of the greatest importance to every inhabitant of Wisconsin is the influence of 
forests on climate and the effects of disrobing a county of its trees. The general influence of 
forests in modifying the e.xtremes of temperature, retarding evaporation and the increased 
humidity of the air, has already been mentioned. That clearing the land of trees increases the 
temperature of the ground in summer, is so readily noticed that it is scarcely necessary to men- 
tion it ; while in winter the sensible cold is never so e.xtreme in woods as on an open surface 
•exposed to the full force of the winds. " The lumbermen in Canada and the northern United 
States labor in the woods without inconvenience^ when the mercury stands many degrees below 
zero, while in the open grounds, with only a moderate breeze, the same temperature is almost 
insupportable." " In the state of Michigan it has been found that the winters have greatly 
increased in severity within the last forty years, and that this increased severity seems to move 
along even-paced with the destruction of the forests. Thirty years ago the peach was one of the 
most abundant fruits of that State; at that time frost, injurious to corn at anytime from May to 
October, was a thing unknown. Now the peach is an uncertain crop, and frost often injures the 
corn.'' The precise influence of forests on temperature may not at present admit of definite solu- 
tion, yet the mechanical screen which they furnish to the soil often far to the leeward of them, 
is sufficiently established, and this alone is enough to encourage extensive planting wherever this 
protection is wanting. 

With regard to the quantity of rain-fall, " we can not positively affirm that the total annual 
quantity of rain is even locally diminished or increased by the destruction of the woods, though 
both theoretical considerations and the balance of testimony strongly favor the opinion that more 
rain falls in wooded than in open countries. One important conclusion, at least, upon the 
meteorological influence of forests is certain and undisputed : the proposition, namely, that, 
within their own limits, and near their own borders, they maintain a more uniform degree of 
humidity in the atmosphere than is observed in cleared grounds. Scarcely less can it be 
questioned that they tend to promote the frequency of showers, and, if they do not augment the 
amount of precipitation, they probably equalize its distribution through the different seasons." 

There is abundant and undoubted evidence that the amount of water existing on the surface 
in lakes and rivers, in many parts of the world, is constantly diminishing. In Germany, observa- 
tions of the Rhine, Oder, Danube, and the Elbe, in the latter case going back for a period of 142 
years, demonstrate beyond doubt, that each of these rivers has much decreased in volume, and 
there is reason to fear that they will eventually disappear from the list of navigable rivers. 

" The ' Blue-Grass ' region of Kentucky, once the pride of the West, has now districts of 
such barren and arid nature that their stock farmers are moving toward the Cumberland mount- 
ains, because the creeks and old springs dried up, and their wells became too low to furnish 
water for their cattle." In our own state "such has been the change in the flow of the Mihvau- 
thearts; makes good firewood; should be planted along all the roads and streets, near every 
dwelling, and on all public grounds. 



128 HISTORY OF AVISCOXSIX. 

kee river, even while the area from which it receives its supply is but partially cleared, that the 
proprietorr 01" most of the mills and factories have found it necessary to resort to the use of 
steam, at a largely increased yearly cost, to supply the deficiency of water-power in dry seasons 
of the year." " What has happened to the Milwaukee river, has happened to all the other water 
courses in the state from whose banks the forest has been removed ; and many farmers who 
selected land uqon which there was a living brook of clear, pure water, now find these brooks 
dried up during a considerable portion of the year/ 

Districts stripped of their forest are said to be more exposed than before to loss of harvests, 
droiig. ts, and frost. " Hurricanes, before unknown, sweep unopposed over the regions thus 
denuded, carrying terror and devastation in their track." Parts of Asia Minor, North Africa, 
and other countries bordering on the Mediterranean, now almost deserts, were once densely 
populated and the granaries of the world. And there is good reason to believe " that it is the 
destruction of the forests which has produced this devastation." From such facts Wisconsin, 
already largely robbed of its forests, should take warning before it is too late. 



TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES. 

Bv P. R. HOV, M.D. 

It is not the purpose of this article to give a botanical description, but merely brief notes on 
the economical value of the woods, and the fitness of the various indigenous trees, shrubs and 
vines for the purpose of ornament. 

White Oak — Quercus Alba. — This noble tree is the largest and most important of the 
American oaks. The excellent properties of the wood render it eminently valuable for a great 
variety of uses. Wherever strength and durability are required, the white oak stands in the first 
rank. It is employed in making wagons, coaches and sleds ; staves and hoops of the best quality 
for barrels and casks are obtained from this tree; it is extensively used in architecture, ship- 
building, etc.; vast (juantities are used for fencmg; the bark is employed in tanning. The domes- 
tic consumption of this tree is so great that it is of the first importance to preserve the young 
trees wherever it is practicable, and to make young plantations where the tree is not found. The 
white oak is a graceful, ornamental tree, and worthy of particular attention as such ; found abun- 
dantly in most of the timbered districts. 

Burr Oak — Q. Macrocarpa. — This is perhaps the most ornamental of our oaks. Nothing 
can exceed the graceful beauty of these trees, whennot crowded or cramped in their growth, but 
left free to follow the laws of their development. Who has not admired these trees in our exten- 
sive burr oak openings ? The large leaves are a dark green above and a bright silvery white 
beneath, which gives the tree a singularly fine appearance when agitated by the wind. The wood 
is tough, close-grained, and more durable than the white oak, especially when exposed to frequent 
changes of moisture and drying ; did the tree grow to the same size, it would be preferred for 
most uses. Abundant, and richly worthy of cultivation, both for utility and ornament. 

Swamp White Oak — Q. Bicolor. — Is a valuable and ornamental tree, not quite so large or 
as common as the burr oak. The wood is close-grained, durable, splits freely, and is well worthy 
of cultivation in wet, swampy grounds, where it will thrive. 

Post Oak — Q. Obtusiloba. — Is a scraggy, small tree, found sparingly in this state. The tim- 
ber is durable, and makes good fuel. Not worthy of cultivation. 



TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES. 129 

Swamp Chestnut Oak — Q. Prinus. — This species of chestnut oak is a large, graceful tree, 
wood rather open-grained, yet valuable for most purposes to which the oaks are applied ; makes 
the best fuel of any of this family. A rare tree, found at Janesville and Brown's lake, near Bur- 
lington. Worthy of cultivation. 

Red Oak — Q. Rubra. — The red oak is a well-known, common, large tree. The wood is 
coarse-grained, and the least durable of the oaks, nearly worthless for fuel, and scarcely worthy 
of cultivation, even for ornament. 

Pin Oak — Q. Palustris. — This is one of the most common trees in many sections of the 
state. The wood is of little value e.xcept for fuel. The tree is quite ornamental, and should be 
sparingly cultivated for this purpose. 

Shingle Oak — Q. Imbricaria. — Is a tree of medium size, found sparingly as far north as 
Wisconsin. It is ornamental, and the wood is used for shingles and staves. 

Scarlet Oak — Q. Coccinea. — This is an ornamental tree, especially in autumn, when its 
leaves turn scarlet, hence the name. Wood of little value ; common. 

Sugar Maple — Acer Sacchariitm.—'Y\\\% well-known and noble tree is found growing abun- 
dantly in many sections of the state. The wood is close-grained and susceptible of a beautiful 
polish, which renders it valuable for many kinds of furniture, more especially the varieties known 
as bird's-eye and curled maples. The wood lacks the durability of the oak ; consequently is not 
valuable for purposes where it will be exposed to the weather. For fuel it ranks next to hickory. 
The sugar manufactured from this tree affords no inconsiderable resource for the comfort and 
even wealth of many sections of the northern states, especially those newly settled, where it 
would be difficult and expensive to procure their supply from a distance. As an ornamental tree 
it stands almost at the head of the catalogue. The foliage is beautiful, compact, and free from 
the attacks of insects. It puts forth its yellow blossoms early, and in the autumn the leaves 
change in color and show the most beautiful tints of red and yellow long before they fall. Worthy 
of especial attention for fuel and ornament, and well adapted to street-planting. 

Red Maple— ^. Rubricm. — Is another fine maple of more rapid growth than the foregoing 
species. With wood rather lighter, but quite as valuable for cabinet-work — for fuel not quite so 
good. The young trees bear transplanting even better than other maples. Though highly orna- 
mental, this tree hardly equals the first-named species. It puts forth, in early spring, its scarlet 
blossoms before a leaf has yet appeared. Well adapted to street-planting. 

Mountain Maple— ^. Spicatum.—ls. a small branching tree, or rather shrub, found grow- 
ing in clumps. Not worthy of much attention. 

Silver Maple — A. Dasycarpum. — This is a common tree growing on the banks of streams, 
especially in the western part of the state, grown largely for ornament, yet for the purpose it is 
the least valuable of the maples. The branches are long and straggling, and so brittle that they 
are liable to be injured by winds. 

Bo.K Maple — Negtimio Aceroides. — This tree is frequently called box elder. It is of a rapid 
growth and quite ornamental. The wood is not much used in the arts, but is good fuel. Should 
be cultivated. It grows on Sugar and Rock rivers. 

White Elm — Ulinus Americana. — This large and graceful tree stands confessedly at the 
head of the list of ornamental deciduous trees. Its wide-spreading branches and long, pendu- 
lous branchlets form a beautiful and conspicuous head. It grows rapidly, is free from disease 
and the destructive attacks of insects, will thrive on most soils, and for planting along streets, in 
public grounds or lawns, is unsurpassed by any .\merican tree. The wood is but little used in 



130 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



Slippery Elm — V. Fulva. — This smaller and less ornamental species is also common. The 
Wood, however, is much more valuable than the white elm, being durable and splitting readily. 
It makes excellent rails, and is much used for the framework of buildings; valuable for fuel; 
should be cultivated. 

Wild Black Cherry — Cerasus Serotina.—'X\\\% large and beautiful species of cherry is one 
of the most valuable of American trees. The wood is compact, fine-grained, and of a brilliant 
teddish color, not liable to warp, or shrink and swell with atmospheric changes ; extensively em- 
ployed by cabinet-makers for every species of furnishing. It is exceedingly durable, hence is 
valuable for fencing, building, etc. Richly deserves a place in the lawn or timber plantation. 

Bird Cherry — C. Pennsylvanica. — -Is a small northern species, common in the state and 
worthy of cultivation for ornament. 

Choke Cherry -C. Virgiiiiatia. — This diminutive tree is of little value, not worth the trouble 
of cultivation. 

Wild Plum — Pntnus Americana. — The common wild plum when in full bloom is one of the 
most ornamental of small flowering trees, and as such should not be neglected. The fruit is 
rather agreeable, but not to be compared to fine cultivated varieties, which may be engrafted on 
the wild stock to the very best advantage. It is best to select small trees, and work them on the 
roots. The grafts should be inserted about the middle of April. 

Hackberry — CeltisOccidentalis. — This is an ornamental tree of medium size ; wood hard, 
close-grained and elastic ; makes the best of hoops, whip-stalks, and thills for carriages. The 
Indians formerly made great use of the hackbeiry wood for their bows. A tree worthy of a lim- 
ited share of attention. 

.\merican Linden or Bassvvood — Tiiia Americana. — Is one of the finest ornamental trees for 
public grounds, parks, etc., but will not thrive where the roots are exposed to bruises; for this 
reason it is not adapted to planting along the streets of populous towns. The wood is light and 
tough, susceptible of being bent to almost any curve ; durable if kept from the weather ; takes 
paint well, and is considerably used in the arts ; for fuel it is of little value. This tree will 
flourish in almost any moderately rich, damp soil ; bears transplanting well ; can be propagated 
readily from layers. 

White Thorn — Crataegus Coccinea, and Dotted Thorn — C. Punctata. — ^These two species 
of thorn are found everywhere on the rich bottom lands. When in bloom they are beautiful, and 
should be cultivated for ornament. The wood is remarkably compact and hard, and were it not 
for the small size of the tree, would be valuable. 

Crab Apple — Pyrus Coroiiaria. — This common small tree is attractive when covered with 
its highly fragrant rose-colored blossoms. 'Wood h;ird, fine, compact grain, but the tree is too 
small for the wood to be of much practical value. Well worthy of a place in extensive grounds. 

Mountain Ash — P. Americana. — This popular ornament to our yards is found growing in 
the northern part of the state and as far south as 43°. The wood is useless. 

White Ash — Fraxinus Acuminata. — Is a large, irtteresting tree, which combines utility with 
beauty in an eminent degree. The wood possesses strength, suppleness and elasticity, which 
renders it valuable for a great variety of uses. It is extensively employed in carriage manufact- 
uring; for various agricultural implements ; is esteemed superior to any other wood for oars; 
excellent for fuel. The white ash grows rapidly, and in open ground forms one of the most 
lovely trees that is to be found. The foliage is clean and handsome, and in autumn turns from 
its bright green to a violet purple hue, which adds materially to the beauty of our autumnal syl- 
van scenery. It is richly deserving our especial care and protection, and wiU amply repay all 
labor and expense bestowed on its cultivation. 



TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES. 131 

Black A^h — F Sainbucifolia. — This is another tall, graceful and well-known species of ash. 
The wood is used for making baskets, hoops, etc. ; when thoroughly dry, affords a good article of 
fuel. Deserves to be cultivated in low, rich, swampy situations, where more useful trees will not 
thrive. 

^LACK. Walnut — Juglans Nigra. — This giant of the rich alluvial bottom lands claims 
special attention for its valuable timber. It is among the most durable and beautiful of Ameri- 
can woods ; susceptible of a fine polish ; not liable to shrink and swell by heat and moisture. 
It is extensively employed by the cabinet-makers for every variety of furniture. Walnut forks, 
are frequently found which rival in richness and beauty the far-famed mahogany. This tree, 
in favorable situations, grows rapidly; is highly ornamental, and produces annually an abundant 
crop of nuts. 

Butternut — /. Cinerea. — This species of walnut is not as valuable as the above, yet for its 
beauty, and the durability of its wood, it should claim a small portion of attention. The wood 
is rather soft for most purposes to which it otherwise might be applied. When grown near 
streams, or on moist side-hills, it produces regularly an ample crop of excellent nuts. It grows 
rapidly. 

Shell-Bark Hickory— C(zr)vj Alba. — This, the largest and finest of American hickories, 
grows abundantly throughout the state. Hickory wood possesses probably the greatest strength 
and tenacity of any of our indigenous trees, and is used for a variety of purposes, but, 
unfortunately, it is liable to be eaten by worms, and lacks durability. For fuel, the shell-bark 
hickory stands unrivaled. The tree is ornamental and produces every alternate year an ample 
crop of the best of nuts. 

Shag-Bark Hickory — C. Inclata. — Is a magnificent tree, the wood of which is nearly as 
valuable as the above. The nuts are large, thick-shelled and coarse, not to be compared to the 
C. alba. A rare tree in Wisconsin ; abundant further south. 

Pignut Hickory — C. Glabra. — This species possesses all the bad and but few of the good 
qualities of the shell-bark. The nuts are smaller and not so good. The tree should be pre- 
served and cultivated in common with the shell-bark. Not abundant. 

BiTTERNUT — C. Amara. — Is an abundant tree, valuable for fuel, but lacking the strength and 
elasticity of the preceding species. It is, however, quite as ornamental as any of the hickories. 

Red Beech — Fagus Ferruginea. — This is a common tree, with brilliant, shining light-green 
leaves, and long, flexible branches. It is highly ornamental, and should be cultivated for this 
purpose, as well as for its useful wood, which is tough, close-grained and compact. It is much 
jsed for plane-stocks, tool handles, etc., and as an article of fuel is nearly equal to maple. 

Water Beech — Carpintis Americana. — Is a small tree, called hornbeam by many. The 
wood is exceedingly hard and compact, but the small size of the tree renders it almost 
useless. 

Iron Wood — Ostrya Virginica. — This small tree is found disseminated throughout most of 
our woodlands. It is, to a considerable degree, ornamental, but of remarkably slow growth. The 
wood possesses valuable properties, being heavy and strong, as the name would indicate ; yet. 
from its small size, it is of but little use. 

Balsam Poplar — Populus Candicans. — This tree is of medium size, and is known by sev- 
eral names : Wild balm of Gilead, cotton wood, etc. It grows in moist, sandy soil, on river bot- 
toms. It has broad, heart-shaped leaves, which turn a fine yellow after the autumn frosts. It 
grows more rapidly than any other of our trees ; can be transplanted with entire success when 
eight or nine inches in diameter, and makes a beatiful shade tree — the most ornamental of pop- 
lars. The wood is soft, spongy, and nearly useless. 



132 HISTORY OF AVISCOXSIN- 

QuAKiN'G Aspen — P. Tremuloides. — Is a well-known, small tree. It is rather ornamental,, 
but scarcely worth cultivating. 

Large Aspen — P. Grandidentata. — Is the largest of our poplars. It frequently grows to 
the height of si.xty or seventy feet, with a diameter of two and one-half feet. The wood is sot"t, 
easily split, and used for frame buildings. It is the most durable of our poplars. 

Cotton Wood — P. MonoUfera. — This is the largest of all the poplars ; abundant on the 
Mississippi river. Used largely for fuel on the steamboats. The timber is of but little use in 
the arts. 

.Sycamore or Buttonwood — Platanus Occidentalis. — This, the largest and most majestic 
of our trees, is found growing only on the rich alluvial river bottoms. The tree is readily 
known, even at a considerable distance, by its whitish smootli branches. The foliage is large 
and beautiful, and the tree one of the most ornamental known. The wood speedily decays, and 
when sawed into lumber warps badly; on these accounts it is but little used, although susceptible 
of a fine finish. As an article of fuel it is of inferior merit. 

Canoe Bikch — Betula Papyracea. — Is a rather elegant and interesting tree. It grows abund- 
antly in nearly every part of the state. The wood is of a fine glossy grain, susceptible of a good 
finish, but lacks durability and strength, and, therefore, is but little used in the mechanical arts. 
For fuel it is justly prized. It bears transplanting without difficulty. The Indians manufacture 
their celebrated bark canoes from the bark of this tree. 

Cherry Birch — B.Lenta. — Tiiis is a rather large, handsome tree, growing along streams. 
Leaves and bark fragrant. Wood, fine-grained, rose-colored ; used largely by the cabinet- 
makers. 

Yellow Birch — B. Lutea. — This beautiful tree occasionally attains a large size. It is 
highly ornamental, and is of value for fuel; but is less prized than the preceding species for cab- 
inet work. 

Kentucky Coffee Tree — Gymnodadus Canadensis. — This singularly beautiful tree is only 
found sparingly, and on rich alluvial lands. I met with it growing near the Peccatonica, in 
Green county. The wood is fine-grained, and of a rosy hue ; is exceedingly durable, and well 
worth cultivating. 

June Berry — Amelaiuhier Canadensis. — Is a small tree which adds materially to the beauty 
of our woods in early spring, at which time it is in full bloom. The wood is of no particular 
value, and the tree interesting only when covered with its white blossoms. 

White Pine — Pinus Stro.'^us. — This is the largest and most valuable of our indigenous pines. 
The wood is soft, free from resin, and works easily. It is extensively employed in the mechan- 
ical arts. It is found in great profusion in the northern parts of the state. This species is 
readily known by the leaves being \n Jives. It is highly ornamental, but in common with all 
pines, will hardly bear transplanting. Only small plants should be moved. 

Norway or Red Pine — P. Resinosa, and Yellow Pine — P. Afitis. — These are two large 
trees, but little inferior in size to the white pine. The wood contains more resin, and is conse- 
quently more durable. The leaves of both these species are in twos. Vast quantities of lumber 
are yearly manufactured from these two varieties and the white pine. The extensive pineries 
of the state are rapidly diminishing. 

Shrub Pine — P. Banksiana. — Is a small, low tree; only worthy of notice here for the oma- 
tnental shade it produces. It is found in the northern sections of the state. 

Balsam Fik — Abies Balsamea. — This beautiful evergreen is multiplied to a great extent on 
the shores of Lake Superior, where it grows forty or fifty feet in height. The wood is of but 



'ii?EES, SHRUBS AXn VIXES. 133 

little value The balsam of fir, or Canadian balsam, is obtained from this tree. 

Double Spruce — A. Nigra. — This grows in the same localities with the balsam fir, and 
assumes the same pyramidal form, but is considerably larger. The wood is light and possesses 
considerable strength and elasticity, which renders it one of the best materials for yard's and top- 
masts for shippmg. It is extensively cultivated for ornament. 

Hemlock — A. Canadensis. — The hemlock is the largest of the genus. It is gracefully orna- 
mental, but the wood is of little value. The baik is e.xtensively employed in tanning. 

Tamarack — Larix Americana. — This beautiful tree grows abundantly in swampy situations 
throughout the state. It is not quite an evergreen It drops its leaves in winter, but quickly 
recovers them in early spring. The wood is remarkably durable and valuable for a variety of 
uses. The tree grows rapidly, and can be successfully cultivated in peaty situations, where other 
trees would not thrive. 

Arbor ViTiE — Thuja Occidentalis. — This tree is called the white or flat cedar. It grows 
abundantly in many parts of the state. The wood is durable, furnishing better fence posts than 
any other tree, excepting the red cedar. Shingles and staves of a superior quality are obtained 
from these trees. A beautiful evergreen hedge is made from the young plants, which bear trans- 
planting better than most evergreens. It will grow on most soils if sufficiently damp. 

Red Cy.t>\k— Jiinipcrits Virginiana. — Is a well known tree that furnishes those celebrated 
fence posts that " last forever." The wood is highly fragrant, of a rich red color, and fine 
grained ; hence it is valuable for a variety of uses. It should be extensively cultivated. 

Dwarf Juniper — J. Sabina. — This is a low trailing shrub. Is considc-ably prized foi 
ornament. Especially worthy of cultivation in large grounds. 

Sassafras — Sassafras officinale. — Is a small tree of fine appearance, with fragrant leaves 
bark. Grows in Kenosha county. Should be cultivated. 

Willows. — -There are many species of willows growing in every part of the state, severr.l of 
which are worthy of cultivation near streams and ponds. 

White Willow — Salix alba. — Is a fine tree, often reaching sixty feet in height. The wood 
is soft, and makes the best charcoal for the manufacture of gun-powder. Grows rapidly. 

Bl.\ck Willow — S. A'igra. — This is also a fine tree, but not quite so large as the foregoing. 
It is used for similar purposes. 

There are many shrubs and vines indigenous to the state worthy of note. I shall, however, 
call attention to only a few of the best. 

Dogwoods. — There are several species found in our forests and thickets. All are ornamen- 
tal when covered with a profusion of white blossoms. I would especially recommend : cvrtts 
sericea, C. stolonifera, C. paniculata, and C. alternifolia. All these will repay the labor of trans- 
planting to ornamental grounds. 

VinuRNUMS.— These are very beautiful. WQ\ia.^Q vibitrnitm leniago, V. prti/ii/oliuin, V. nudum, 
V. dcn/atum, V. pubescens, V. aceri/olium, V. paucijlorum, vlwI V. opultis. The last is known as 
the cranberry tree, and is a most beautiful shrub when in bloom, and also when covered with its 
red, acid fruit. The common snow-ball tree is a cultivated variety of the V. opulus. 

Witch Hazel — Hamamelis Virginica. — Is an interesting, tall shrub that flowers late in 
autumn, when the leaves are falling, and matures the fruit the next summer. It deserves more 
attention than it receives. 

Burning Bush — Euonymus atropurpureus. — This fine shrub is called the American straw- 
berry', and is exceedingly beautiful when covered with its load of crimson fruit, which remains 
during winter. 



134 HISTORY f)F WISCONSIN". 

Sumach — Rhus iyphina. — Is a tall shrub, 11 known, but seldom cultivated. When well 
grown it is ornamental and well adapted for planting in clumps. 

Hop Tree — Ptclca trifoliata. — This is a showy shrub with shining leaves, which should be 
cultivated. Common in rich, alluvial ground. 

Bladder Ni't — Staphylea trifolia. — Is a fine, upright, showy shrub, found sparingly all over 
the state. Is ornamental, with greenish striped branches and showy leaves. 

Vines. 

Virginia Creeper — Ampelopsis quinquefolia. — This is a noble vine, climbing extensively by 
disc-bearing tendrils, so well known as to require no eulogy. Especially beautiful in its fall 
colors. 

Bitter Sweet — Celastrus scandens. — Is a stout twining vine, which would be an ornament to 
any grounds. In the fall and early winter it is noticeable for its bright fruit. Common. 

Yellow Honeysuckle — Lonicera flava. — Is a fine native vine, which is found climbing over 
tall shrubs and trees. Ornamental. There are several other species of honeysuckle; none, how- 
ever, worthy of special mention. 

Frost Grape — Vita cordifolia. — This tall-growing vine has deliciously sweet blossoms, 
which perfume the air for a great distance around. For use as a screen, this hardy species will 
be found highly satisfactory. 



FAUNA OF WISCONSIN. 

By p. R. hoy, M.D. 
FISH AND FISH CULTURE. 

Fish are cold blooded aquatic vertebrates, having fins as organs of progression. They have 
a two-chambered heart; their bodies are mostly covered with scales, yet a few are entirely naked, 
like catfish and eels ; others again are covered with curious plates, such as the sturgeon. Fish 
inhabit both salt and fresh water. It is admitted by all authority that fresh-water fish are more 
universally edible than those inhabiting the ocean. Marine fish are said to be more highly 
flavored than those inhabiting fresh waters ; an assertion I am by no means prepared to admit. 
As a rule, fish are better the colder and purer the water in which they are found, and where can 
you find those conditions more favorable than in the cold depths of our great lakes .'' We have 
tasted, under the most favorable conditions, about every one of the celebrated salt-water fish, and 
can say that whoever eats a whitefish just taken from the ])ure, cold water of Lake Michigan will 
have no reason to be envious of the dwellers by the sea. 

Fish are inconceivably prolific; a single female deposits at one spawn from one thousand to 
one million eggs, varying according to species. 

Fish a.Tord a valuable article of food for man, being highly nutritious and easy of digestion ; 
they abound in phosphates, hence are valuable as affording nutrition to the osseous and nervous sys- 
tem, hence they have been termed, not inappropriately, brain food — certainly a very desirable article 
of diet for some people. They are more savory, nutritious and easy of digestion when just taken 
from the water ; in fact, the sooner they are cooked after being caught the better. No fish should 
be more than a few hours from its watery element before being placed upon the table. For con- 
venience, I will group our fish into families as a basis for what I shall offer. Our bony fish, 



FATmA OF WISCONSIN". 135 

having spine rays and covered with comb-like scales, belong to the perch family — a valuable 
family ; all take the hook, are gamey, and spawn in the summer. 

The yellow perch and at least four species of black or striped bass have a wide range, being 
found in all the rivers and lakes in the state. There is a large species of fish known as Wall- 
eyed pike {^Lcucoperca americana) belonging to this family, which is found sparingly in most of our 
rivers and lakes. The pike is an active and most rapacious animal, devouring fish of consider- 
able size. The flesh is firm and of good flavor. It would probably be economical to propagate 
it to a moderate extent. 

The six-spined bass {Fomoxys /lexacanthus, Agas.) is one of the most desirable of the spine- 
rayed fish found in the State. The flesh is fine flavored, and as the fish is hardy and takes the 
hook with avidity, it should be protected during the spawning season and artificially propagated. 
I have examined the stomachs of a large number of these fish and in every instance found small 
crawfish, furnishing an additional evidence in its favor. Prof. J. P. Kirtland, the veteran ichthy- 
ologist of Ohio, says that this so-callea '' grass bass" is the fish for the million. 

The white bass {Roccus ckrysops) is a species rather rare even in the larger bodies of water, 
but ought to be introduced into every small lake in the State, where I am certain they would 
flourish. It is an excellent fish, possessing many of the good qualities and as few of the bad as 
any that belong to the family. There is another branch of this family, the sunfish, Pomotis, 
which numbers at least six species found in Wisconsin. They are beautiful fish, and afford 
abundant sport for the boys ; none of them, however, are worth domesticating (unless it be in the 
aquariuni) as there are so many better. 

The carp family (Cyprinida) are soft finned fish without maxillary teeth. They include by 
far the greater number of fresh-water fish. Some specimens are not more than one inch, while 
others are nearly two feet in length. Our chubs, silversides and suckers are the principal mem- 
bers of this family. Dace are good pan-fish, yet their small size is objectionable; they are the 
children's game fish. The Cyprinidix all spawn in the spring, and might be profitably propa- 
gated as food for the larger and more valuable fish. 

There are six or seven species of suckers found in our lakes and rivers. The red horse, 
found every where, and at least one species of the buffalo, inhabiting the Mississippi and its trib- 
utaries, are the best of the genus Catastomus. Suckers are bony, and apt to taste suspiciously of 
mud ; they are only to be tolerated in the absence of better. The carp {Cypreniiis carpo) has been 
successfully introduced into the Hudsonriver. 

The trout family {Salmonidie) are soft-finned fish with an extra dorsal adipose fin without 
rays. They inhabit northern countries, spawning in the latter part of fall and winter. Their 
flesh is universally esteemed. The trout family embrace by far the most valuable of our fish, 
including, as it does, trout and whitefish. The famous speckled trout {Salmo foiilinalis) is a 
small and beautiful species which is found in nearly every stream in the northern half of the 
State. Wherever there is a spring run or lake, the temperature of which does not rise higher than 
sixty-five or seventy in the summer, there trout can be propagated in abundance. The great 
salmon trout (^Sal. amethysius) of the great lakes is a magnificent fish weighing from ten to sixty 
pounds. The Siscowit salmo siscowit of Lake Superior is about the same size, but not quite so 
good a fish, being too fat and oily. They will, no doubt, flourish in the larger of the inland 
lakes. 

The genus Coregonus includes the true whitefish, or lake shad. In this genus, 3.s now 
restricted, the nose is square and the under jaw short, and when first caught they have the 
fragrance of fresh cucumbers. There are at least three species found in Lake Michigan. In my 



136 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

opinion these fish are more delicately flavored than the celebrated Potomac shad ; but I doubt 
whether they will thrive in the small lakes, owing to the absence of the small Crustacea on which 
they subsist. The closely allied genus Ari^yrosomus includes seven known species inhabiting the 
larger lakes, and one, the A ri^yrosom us sisco, which is found in several of the lesser lakes. The 
larger species are but little inferior to the true whitefish, with which they are commonly 
confounded. The nose is pointed, the under jaw long, and they take the hook at certain seasons 
with activity. They eat small fish as well as insects and crustaceans. 

Of the pickerel family, we have three or four closely allied species of the genus £sox, armed 
with prodigious jaws filled with cruel teeth. They lie motionles eady to dart, swift as an 
arrow, upon their prey. They are the sharks of the fresh water. The pickerel are so rapacious 
that they spare not their own species. Sometimes they attempt to swallow a fish nearly as large 
as themselves, and perish in consequence. Their flesh is moderately good, and as they are game 
to the backbone, it might be desirable to propagate them to a moderate extent under peculiar 
circumstances. 

The catfish {Si/urida) have soft fins, protected by sharp spines, and curious fleshy barbels 
floating from their lips, without scales, covered only with a slimy coat of mucus. The 
genus Pimlodus are scavengers among fish, as vultures among birds. They are filthy in habit 
and food. There is one interesting trait of the catfish — the vigilant and watchful motherly 
care of the young by the male. He defends them with great spirit, and herds them together 
when they straggle. Even the mother is driven far ofi"; for he knows full well that she would 
nol scruple to make a full meal ofi" her little black tadpole-like progeny. There are four species 
known to inhabit this State — one peculiar to the great lakes, and two found in the numerous 
affluents of the Mississippi. One of these, the great yellow catfish, sometimes weighs over one 
hundred jiounds. When in good condition, stuffed and well baked, they are a fair table fish. 
The small bull-head is universally distributed. 

The sturgeons are large sluggish fish, covered with plates instead of scales. There 
are at least three species of the genus Acipenser found in the waters of Wisconsin. Being so 
large and without bones, they afford a sufficiently cheap article of food; unfortunately, however, 
the quality is decidedly bad. Sturgeons deposit an enormous quantity of eggs ; the roe not 
unfrequently weighs one fourth as much as the entire body, and numbers, it is said, many 
millions. The principal commercial value of sturgeons is found in the roe and swimming 
bladder. The much prized caviare is manufactured from the former, and from the latter the best 
of isinglass is obtained. 

The gar-pikes {Lcpidosicus) are represented by at least three species of this singular fish. 
They have long serpentine bodies, with jaws prolonged into a regular bill, which is well i)rovided 
with teeth. The scales are composed of bone covered on the outside with enamel, like teeth. 
The alligator gar, confined to the depths of the Mississippi, is a large fish, and the more common 
species, Lcpitiosteus bison, attains to a considerable size. The Lepidosteous, now only found in 
North America, once had representatives all over the globe. Fossils of the same family of which 
the gar-pike is the type, have been found all over Europe, in the oldest fossiliferous beds, in the 
strata of the age of coal, in the new red sandstone, in oiilitic deposits, and in the chalk and 
tertiary formations — being one of the many living evidences that North America was the first 
country above the water. For all practical purposes, we should not regret to have the gar-pikes 
follow in the footsteps of their aged and illustrious predecessors. They could well be spared. 

There is a fish i^Lota maculose) which belongs to the cod-fish family, called by the fishermen 
the "lawyers," for what reason I am not able to say — at any rate, the fish is worthless. There 
are a great number of small fish, interesting only to the naturalist, which I shall omit to men- 



TAUiS^A OF WISCONSIN. 137 

tion here. 

Fish of the northern countries are the most valuable, for the reason that the water is colder 
and purer. Wisconsin, situated between forty-two thirty, and forty-seven degrees of latitude, 
bounded on the east and north by the largest lakes in the world, on the west by the "Great river," 
traversed by numerous fine and rapid streams, and sprinkled all over with beautiful and pictu- 
resque lakes, has physical conditions certainly the most favorable, perhaps of any State, for an 
abundant and never-failing supply of the best fish. Few persons have any idea of the importance 
of the fisheries of Lake Michigan. It is difficult to collect adequate data to form a correct 
knowledge of the capital invested and the amount of fish taken; enough, however, has been 
ascertained to enable me to state that at Milwaukee alone $100,000 are invested, and not less 
than two hundred and eighty tons of dressed fish taken annually. At Racine, during the entire 
season of nine months, there are, on an average, one thousand pounds of whitefish and trout, 
each, caught and sold daily, amounting to not less than $16,000. It is well known that, since the 
adoption of the gill-net system, the fishermen are enabled to pursue their calling ten months of 
the year. 

When the fish retire to the deep water, they are followed with miles of nets, and the poor 
fish are entangled on every side. There is a marked falling off in the number and size of white- 
fish and trout taken, when compared with early years. When fish were only captured with seines, 
they had abundant chance to escape and multiply so as to keep an even balance in number. 
Only by artificial propagation and well enforced laws protecting them during the spawning 
season, can we hope now to restore the balance. In order to give some idea of the valuable 
labors of the state fish commissioners, I will state briefly that they have purchased for the 
state a piece of property, situated three miles from Madison, known as the Nine Springs, 
including forty acres of land, on which they have erected a dwelling-house, barn and hatchery, 
also constructed several ponds, in which can be seen many valuable fish in the enjoyment of 
perfect health and vigor. As equipped, it is, undoubtedly, one of the best, if not the best, hatchery 
in the states. In this permanent establishment the commission design to hatch and distribute 
to the small lakes and rivers of the interior the most valuable of our indigenous fish, such as 
bass, pike, trout, etc., etc., as well as many valuable foreign varieties. During the past season, 
many fish have been distributed from this state hatchery. At the Milwaukee Water Works, the 
commission have equipped a hatchery on a large scale, using the water as pumped directly from 
the lake. During the past season there was a prodigious multitude of young trout and whitefish 
distributed from this point. The success of Superintendent Welcher in hatching whitefish at 
Milwaukee has been the best yet gained, nearly ninety per cent, of the eggs "laid down" 
being hatched. Pisciculturists will appreciate this wonderful success, as they well know how 
difficult it is to manage the spawn of the whitefish. 

I append the following statistics of the number of fish hatched and distributed from the 
Milwaukee hatchery : 

Total number of fish hatched, 8,000,000 — whitefish, 6,300,000; salmon trout, 1,700,000. 

They were distributed as follows, in the month of May, 1877 ; Whitefish planted in Lake 
Michigan, at Racine, 1,000,000; at Milwaukee, 3,260,000; between Manitowoc and Two Rivers 
1,000,000; in Green bay, 1,000,000; in Elkhart lake, 40,000. 

Salmon trout were turned out as follows: Lake Michigan, near Milwaukee, 600,000; 
Brown's lake, Racine county, 40,000; Delavan lake, Walworth county, 40,000; Troy lake, Wal- 
worth county, 40,000 ; Pleasant lake, Walworth county, 40,000 ; Lansdale lake, Wahvorth 
county, 40,000; Ella lake, Milwaukee county, 16,000; Cedar lake, Washington county, 40,000; 
Elkhart lake, Sheboygan county, 40,000; Clear lake. Rock county, 40,000; Ripley lake, 



138 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Jefferson county, 40,000; Mendota lake, Dane countv, 100,000; Fox lake, Dodge county, 
40,000; Swan and Silver lakes, Columbia county, 40,000; Little Green lake. Green Lake 
county, 40,000; Big Green lake, Green Lake county, 100,000; Bass lake, St. Croix county, 
40,000; Twin lakes, St. Croix county, 40,000; Long lake, (Miippewa county, 40,000; Oconomo- 
woc lake, Waukesha county, 100,000; Pine lake, Waukesha county, 40,000; Pewaukee lake, 
Waukesha county, ico,ooo; North lake, Waukesha county, 40,000 ; Nagawicka lake, Waukesha 
county, 40,000: Okanche lake, Waukesha county, 40,000. 

LARGE ANn[.\LS.— TLME OF THEIR DISAPPEARANCE. 

Fifty years ago, the territory now included in the state of Wisconsin, was nearly in a state 
of nature, all the large wild animals were then abundant. Now, all has changed. The ax and 
plow, gun and dog, railway and telegraph, have metamorphosed the face of nature. Most of 
the large quadrupeds have been either exterminated, or have hid themselves away in the wilder- 
ness. In a short time, all of these will have disappeared from the state. The date and order 
in which animals become extinct within the boundaries of the state, is a subject of great interest. 
There was a time when the antelope, the woodland caribou, the buffalo, and the wild turkey, 
were abundant, but are now no longer to be found. 

The Antelope, Antilocarpa Americana, now confined to the Western plains, did, two hun- 
dred years ago, inhabit Wisconsin as far east as Michigan. In October, 1679, Father Hennepin, 
with La Salle and party, in four canoes, coasted along the Western shore of Lake Afichigan. In 
Hennepin's narrative, he says; " The oldest of them " (the Indians) " came to us the next morn- 
ing with their calumet of peace, and brought some wild goats." This was somewhere north of 
Milwaukee. " Being in sore distress, we saw upon the coast a great many ravens and eagles " 
(turkey vultures), " from whence we conjectured there was some prey, and having landed upon 
that place, we found above the half of a fat wilii goat, which the wolves had strangled. This 
provision was very acceptable to us, and the rudest of our men could not but praise the Divine 
Providence which took so particular care of us." This must have been somewhere near Racine. 
"On the i6th" (October, 1679), " we met with abundance of game. .\ savage we had with us, 
killed several stags (deer) and ti.<ild goats, and our men a great many turkeys, very fat and big." 
This must have been south of Racine. These goats were undoubtedly antelopes. Schoolcraft 
mentions antelopes as occupying the Northwest territory. 

When the last buffalo crossed the Mississippi is not precisely known. It is certain they 
lingered in Wisconsin in 1825. It is said there was a buffalo shot on the St. Croix river as late 
as 1832, so Wisconsin claims the last buffalo. The woodland caribou — Rangifer caribou — were 
never numerous within the limits of the state. .\ few were seen not far from La Pointe in to45. 
The last wild turkey in the eastern portion of the state, was in 1846. On the Mississippi, one 
was killed in 1856. I am told by Dr. Walcott, that turkeys were abundant in Wisconsin previous 
to the hard winter of 1842-3, when snow was yet two feet deep in March, with a stout crust, so 
that the turkeys could not get to the ground. They became so poor and weak, that they could 
not fly, and thus became an easy prey to the wolves, foxes, wild cats, minks, etc., which exter- 
minated almost the entire race. The Doctor says he saw but one single individual the next 
winter. Elk were on Hay river in 1863, and I have little doubt a few yet remain. Moose are 
not numerous, a few yet remain in the northwestern part of the state. I saw moose tracks on 
the Montreal river, near Lake Superior, in the summer of 1845. A few panthers may still 
inhabit the wilderness of Wisconsin. Benjamin Bones, of Racine, shot one on the headwaters of 



FAITXA OK WISCONSIN. 139 

Black river, December, 1863. Badgers are now nearly gone, and in a few years more, the only- 
badgers found within the state, will be two legged ones. Beavers are yet numerous in the 
small lakes in the northern regions. Wolverines are occasionally met with in the northern 
forests. Bears, wolves, and deer, will continue to flourish in the northern and central counties, 
where underbrush, timber, and small lakes abound. 

All large animals will soon be driven by civilization out of Wisconsin. The railroad and 
improved firearms will do the work, and thus we lose the primitive denizens of the forest and 
prairies. 

PECULIARITIES OF THE BIRD FAUNA. 

The facts recorded in this paper, were obtained by personal observations within fifteen 
miles of Racine, Wisconsin, latitude 42° 46' north, longitude 87" 48' west. This city is situated 
on the western shore of Lake Michigan, at the extreme southern point of the heavy lumbered 
district, the base of which rests on Lake Superior. Racine e.vtends six miles further into the 
lake than Milwaukee, and two miles further than Kenosha. At this point the great prairie 
approaches near the lake from the west. The extreme rise of the mercury in summer, is from 
90" to 100° Fahrenheit. The isothermal line comes further north in summer, and retires further 
south in winter than it does east of the great lakes, which physical condition will sufficiently 
explain the remarkable peculiarities of its animal life, the overlapping, as it were, of two distinct 
faunas. More especially is this true of birds, that are enabled to change their locality with the 
greatest facility. Within the past thirty years, I have collected and observed over three hundred 
species of birds, nearly half of all birds found in North America. Many species, considered 
rare in other sections, are found here in the greatest abundance. A striking peculiarity of the 
ornithological fauna of this section, is that southern birds go farther north in summer, while 
northern species go farther south in winter than they do east of the lakes. Of summer birds 
that visit us, I will ennumerate a few of the many that belong to a more southern latitude in the 
Atlantic States. Nearly all nest with us, or, at least, did some years ago. 

Vellow-breasted chat, Icicria virdis : mocking bird, Mimus pollyglottiis ; great Carolina wren, 
Thriothoius luiiovidaniis ; prothonotary warbler, P rotoiiotaria a'treaj summer red bird, Pyrangia 
ce^tiva; wood ibis, Tantalus loculator. 

.\mong Arctic birds that visit us in winter are : 

Snowy owl, Nyctea nivea; great gray owl, Syniium cinerus; hawk owl, Suriiia ulula; Arctic 
three-toed woodpecker, Picoides arcticus; banded three-toed woodpecker, Picoides hirsutus; mag- 
pie. Pica hudsonica; Canada jay, Perisoi'ius canadensis ; evening grosbeak, Hesperiphona vcsper- 
tina; Hudson titmouse, Parus hiidsoniciis ; king eder, Somaieria spectahilis ; black-throated diver, 
Colymbus aniicus; glaucus gull, Launis glanciis. 

These examples are sufficient to indicate the rich avi fauna of Wisconsin. It is doubtful if 
there is another locality where the Canada jay and its associates visit in winter where the mock- 
ing bird nests in summer, or where the hawk owl flies silently over the spot occupied during 
the warmer days by the summer red bird and the yellow-breasted chat. But the ax has already 
leveled much of the great woods, so that there is now a great falling off in numbers of our old 
familiar feathered friends. It is now extremely doubtful if such a collection can ever again be 
mad( within the boundaries of this state, or indeed, of any other. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 

By Prof. EDWARD SE.\RING, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

From the time of the earliest advent of the families of French traders into the region now 
known as Wisconsin, to the year 1818, when that region became part of Michigan territory, 
education was mostly confined to private instruction, or was sought by the children of the 
wealthier in the distant cities of Quebec, Montreal, and Detroit. The early Jesuit missionaries, 
and — subsequently to 1816, when it came under the military control of the United States — 
representatives of various other religious denominations, sought to teach the Indian tribes of 
this section. In 1823, Rev. Eleazar Williams, well known for his subsequent claim to be the 
Dauphin of France, and who was in the employ of the Episcopal Missionary Society, started a 
school of white and half-breed children on the west side of Fox river, opposite " Shanty-Town." 
.\ Catholic mission school for Indians was organized by an Italian priest near Green Bay, in 
1830. A clause of the treaty with the Winnebago Indians, in 1832, bound the United States to 
maintain a school for their children near Prairie du Chien for a period of twenty-seven years. 

The Origin.\l School Code. 

From iSiS to 1836, Wisconsin formed part of Michigan territory. In the year 1S37, Michi- 
gan was admitted into the Union as a state, and Wisconsin, embracing what is now Minnesota, 
Iowa, and a considerable region still further westward, was, by act of congress approved April 
20th of the year previous, established as a separate territory. The act provided that the existing 
laws of the territory of Michigan should be extended over the new territory so far as compatible 
with the provisions of the act, subject to alteration or repeal by the new government created." 
Thus with the other statutes, the school code of Michigan became the original code of Wiscon- 
sin, and it was soon formally adopted, with almost no change, by the first territorial legislature, 
which met at Belmont. Although modified in some of its provisions almost every year, this 
imperfect code continued in force until the adoption of the state constitution in 1848. The 
first material changes in the code were made by the territorial legislature at its second session, 
in 1837, by the passage of a bill " to regulate the sale of school lands, and to provide for organ- 
izing, regulating, and perfecting common schools." It was provided in this act that as soon as 
twenty electors should reside in a surveyed township, they should elect a board of three com- 
missioners, holding office three years, to lay off districts, to apply the proceeds of the leases of 
school lands to the payment of teachers' wages, and to call school meetings. It was also pro- 
vided that each district should elect a board of three directors, holding office one year, to locate 
school-houses, hire teachers for at least three months in the year, and levy taxes for the support 
of schools. It was further provided that a third board of five inspectors should be elected 
annually in each town to examine and license teachers and inspect the schools. Two years 
subsequently (1839) the law was revised and the family, instead of the electors, was made the 
basis of the town organization. Every town with not less than ten families was made a school 
district and required to provide a competent teacher. More populous towns were divided into 
two or more districts. The office of town commissioner was abolished, its duties with certain 
others being transferred to the inspectors. The rate-bill system of taxation, jjreviously in 
•existence, was repealed, and a tax on the whole county for building school-houses and support- 



EDUCATIOXAL HISTORY. 141 

ing schools was provided for. One or two years later the office of town commissioners was 
restored, and the duties of the inspectors were assigned to the same. Other somewhat important 
■amendments were made at the same time. 

In 1S40, a memorial to congress from the legislature represented that the people were 
anxious to establish a common-school system, with suitable resources for its support. From 
lack of sufficient funds many of the schools were poorly organized. The rate-bill tax or private 
subscription was often necessary to supplement the scanty results of county taxation. Until a 
state government should be organized, the fund accruing from the sale of school lands could not 
be available. Congress had made to Wisconsin, as to other new states, for educational purposes, 
a donation of lands. These lands embraced the sixteenth section in every township in the state, 
the 500,000 acres to which the state was entitled by the provisions of an act of congress passed 
in 1841, and any grant of lands from the United States, the purposes of which were not speci- 
fied. To obtain the benefits of this large fund was a leading object in forming the state con- 
stitution. 

Agitation for Free Schools. 

Shortly before the admission of the stale the subject of free schools began to be quite 
widely discussed. In February, 1845, Col. M. Frank, of Kenosha, a member of the territorial 
legislature, introduced a bill, which became a law, authorizing the legal voters of his own town 
to vote taxes on all the assessed property lor the full support of its schools. A provision of the 
act required its submission to the people of the town before it could take effect. It met with 
strenuous opposition, but after many public meetings and lectures held in the interests of public 
enlightenment, the act was ratified by a small majority in the fall of 1845, and thus the first free school 
in the state was legally organized. Subsequently, in the legislature, in the two constitutional con- 
ventions, and in educational assemblies, the question of a free-school system for the new state 
soon to be organized provoked much interest and discussion. In the constitution framed by the 
convention of 1846, was provided the basis of a free-school system similar to that in our present 
constitution. The question of establishing the office of state superintendent, more than any 
other feature of the proposed school system, elicited discussion in that body. The necessity of 
this office, and the advantages of free schools supported by taxation, were ably presented to the 
convention by Hon. Henry Barnard, of Connecticut, in an evening address. He afterward pre- 
pared, by request, a draft of a free-school system, with a state superintendent at its head, which 
was accepted and subsequently embodied in the constitution and the school law. In the second 
constitutional convention, in 1848, the same questions again received careful attention, and the 
article on education previously prepared, was, after a few changes, brought into the shape in 
which we now find it. Immediately after the ratification by the people, of the constitution pre- 
pared by the second convention, three commissioners were appointed to revise the statutes. To 
one of these, Col. Frank, the needed revision of the school laws was assigned. The work was 
acceptably performed, and the new school code of 1849, largely the same as the present one, 
went into operation May first of that year. 

The School System under the State Government. 

In the state constitution was laid the broad foundation of our present school system. The 
four corner stones were: (i) The guaranteed freedom of the schools; {?.) the school fund 
created ; (3) the system of supervision ; (4) a state university for higher instruction. The 
school fund has five distinct sources for its creation indicated in the constitution: (i) Proceeds 
from the sale of lands granted to the state by the United States for educational purposes; (2) 



142 



HISTORY OF ^VISCOKSI]S^. 



all moneys accruing from forfeiture or escheat; (3) all fines collected in the several counties for 
breach of the penal laws ; (4) all moneys paid for exemption from military duty ; (5) five per cent, 
of the sale of government lands within the state. In addition to these constitutional sources of 
the school fund, another and sixth source was open from 1856 to 1870. By an act of the state 
legislature in the former year, three-fourths of the net proceeds of the sales of the swamp and 
overflowed lands, granted to the state by congress, Sept. 28, 1850, were added to the common- 
school fund, the other fourth going into a fund for drainage, under certain circumstances ; but if 
not paid over to any town for that purpose within two years, to become a part of the school 
fund. The following year one of these fourths was converted into the normal-school fund, 
leaving one-half for the common-school fund. In 1858, another fourth was given to the drainage 
fund, thus providing for the latter one-half the income from the sales, and leaving for the school 
fund, until the year 1865, only the remaining one-fourth. In the latter year this was transferred 
to the normal-school fund, with the provision, however, that one-fourth of the income of this 
fund should be transferred to the common-school fund until the annual income of the latter 
fund should reach $200,000. In 1870 this provision was repealed, and the whole income of the 
normal fund left applicable to the support of normal schools and teachers' institutes. 

At the first session of the state legislature in 1848, several acts were passed which carried 
out in some degree the educational provisions of the constitution. A law was enacted to pro- 
vide for the election, and to define the duties, of a state superintendent of public instruction. A 
district board was created, consisting of a moderator, director, and treasurer; the office of town 
superintendent was established, and provision was made for the creation of town libraries, and 
for the distribution of the school fund. The present school code of Wisconsin is substantially 
that passed by the legislature of 1848, and which went into operation May i, 1849. The most 
important change since made was the abolition of the office of town superintendent, and the 
substitution therefor of the county superintendency. This change took effect January i, 1862. 



The School-Fund I.xcome. 

The first annual report of the state superintendent, for the year 1849, gives the income of' 
the school fund for that year as $588, or eight and three-tenth mills per child. Milwaukee 
county received the largest amount, $69.63, and St. Croix county the smallest, twenty-four cents. 
The average in the state was forty-seven cents per district. The following table will show at a 
glance the quinijuennial increase in the income of the fund, the corresponding increase in the 
number of school children, and the apportionment per child, from 1849 to 1875, inclusive; also, 
the last apportionment, that for 1877. The rate for three years past has been 41 cents per 
child : 



Year. 



1849- - 
1850.. 

1855-- 
1860.. 



NO. CHILDREN 
OF SCHOOL-AGE. 



70,457 

92,103 

186,085 

288,984 



INCOME OF 
SCHOOL FUND 



$588 00 

47,716 00 

125,906 02 

184.949 76 



RATE PER 
CHILD. 



$0.0083 
,51s 
.67 
.64 



Year. 



1865. 
1870. 

1S75- 
1877. 



NO. CHILDREN 
OF SCHOOL-AGE. 



335.582 
412,481 
450,304 
470.783 



INCOME OF I 
SCHOOL FUND 



RATE PER 
CHILD. 



151,816 34 I 
159,271 38 
184,624 64 I 
193.021 03 I 



.46 
.40 
.41 
•41 



The amount of productive school fund reported September 30, 1877, was $2,596,361.07.. 
The portion of the fund not invested at that date, was $74,195.22. 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 143 

The State University. 

i 

In his message to the first territorial legislature, in 1836, Governor Dodge recommended 
^asking from congress aid for the establishment of a state educational institution, to be governed 
:by the legislature. This was the first official action looking to the establishment of a state 
^university. The same legislature passed an act to establish and locate the Wisconsin univer- 
sity at Belmont, in the county of Iowa. At its second session, the following year, the legislature 
passed an act, which was approved January 19, 183S, establishing "at or near Madison, the seat 
of government, a university for the purpose of educating youth, the name whereof shall be 'The 
University of the Territory of Wisconsin. " A resolution was passed at the same session, direct- 
ing the territorial delegate in congress to ask of that body an appropriation of $20,000 for the 
erection of the buildings ot said university, and also to appropriate two townships of vacant land 
for its endowment. Congress accordingly appropriated, in 1838, seventy -two sections, or two 
townships, for the support of a " seminary of learning in the territory of Wisconsin," and this 
was afterward confirmed to the state for the use of the university. No effectual provision, how- 
ever, was made for the establishment of the university until ten years later, when the state was 
organized. Congress, as has been said, had made a donation of lands to the territory for the 
support of such an institution, but these lands could not be made available for that purpose until 
the territory should become a state. The state constitution, adopted in 1848, declared that pro- 
vision should be made for the establishment of a siate university, and that the proceeds of all 
lands donated by the United States to the state for the support of a university should remain a 
perpetual fund, the interest of which should be appropriated to its support 

The state legislature, at its first session, passed an act, approved July 26, 1848, establishing 
the University of Wisconsin, defining its location, its government, and its various departments, 
and authorizing the regents to purchase a suitable site for the buildings, and to proceed to the 
erection of the same, after having obtained from the legislature the approval of plans. This act 
repealed the previous act of 1838. The regents were soon after appointed, and their first annual 
report was presented to the legislature, January 30, 1849. This report announced the selection 
of a site, subject to the approval of the legislature, announced the organization of a preparatory 
department, and the election of a chancellor or president. The university was thus organized, 
with John H. Lathrop, president of the University of Missouri, as its first chancellor, and John 
W. Sterling as principal of the preparatory department, which was opened February 5, 1849. 
Chancellor Lathrop was not formally inaugurated until January 16, 1850. 

Owing to the short-sighted policy of the state in locating without due care, and in apprais- 
ing and selling so low the lands of the original grant, the fund produced was entirely inadequate 
to the support of the institution. Congress, therefore, made, in 1854, an additional grant of 
seventy-two sections of land for its use. These, however, were located and sold in the same 
inconsiderate and unfortunate manner, for so low a price as to be a means of inducing immigra- 
tion, indeed, but not of producing a fund adequate for the support of a successful state univer- 
sity. Of the 92,160 acres comprised in the two grants, there had been sold prior to September 
30, 1866, 74,178 acres for the sum of $264,570.13, or at an average jjrice of but little more than 
$3.50 per acre.* Besides this, the state had allowed the university to anticipate its income to the 
extent of over $100,000 for the erection of buildings. By a law of 1862 the sum of $104,339.43 
was taken from its fund (already too small) to pay for these buildings. The resulting embar- 
rassment made necessary the re-organization of 1866, which added to the slender resources of 
the institution the agricultural college fund, arising from the sale of lands donated to the state by 
the congressional act of 1862. 



144 HISTORY OF WISroXSIX. 

The first university building erected was the north dormitory, which was completed in 1851, 
This is no feet in length by 40 in breadth, and four stories in height. The south dormitory, of 
the same size, was completed in 1855. The main central edifice, known as University Hall, was 
finished in 1859. The Ladies' College was completed in 1872. This latter was built with aa 
appropriation of $50,000, made by the legislature in 1870 — the first actual donation the univer- 
sity had ever received from the state. The legislature of 1875 appropriated $80,000 for the 
erection of Science Hall, a building to be devoted to instruction in the physical sciences. This 
was completed and ready for occupancy at the opening of the fall term of 1877. 

The growth of this institution during the past fourteen years, and especially since its re- 
organization in 1866, has been rapid and substantial. Its productive fund on the 30th day of 
September, 1S77, aside from the agricultural college fund, was $223,240 32. The combined uni- 
versity and agricultural funds amounted, at the same date, to $464,032 22. An act of the legis- 

*Compare the price obtained for the lands of the University of Michigan. The first sale of those lands averaged 
$22.85 per acre, and brought in a single year (1837) $150,447.90. Sales were made in succeeding years at $15, $17- 
and $19 per acre. 

lature in 1867 appropriated to the university income for that year, and annually for the next ten 
years, the sum of $7,303.76, being the interest upon the sum taken from the university fund by 
the law of 1862 for the erection of buildings, as before mentioned. Chapter 100 of the general 
laws of 1872 also provided for an annual state ta.\ of $10,000 to increase the income of the uni- 
versity. Chapter 119 of the laws of 1S76 provides for an annual state ta.\ of one-tenth of one 
mill on the taxable property of the state for the increase of the university fund income, this tax 
to be "/« lieu of all other appropriations before provided for the benefit of said fund income," 
and to be " deemed a full compensation for all deficiencies in said income arising from the dis- 
position of the lands donated to the state by congress, in trust, for the benefit of said income." 
The entire income of the university from all sources, including this tax (which was $42,359.62 i, 
was, for the year ending September 30, 1S77, $89,879.89. The university has a faculty of over 
thirty professors and instructors, and during the past year — 1876-7 — it had in its various depart- 
ments 316 students. The law department, organized in 1S6S, has since been in successful oper- 
atiorx. Ladies are admitted into all the departments and classes of the university. 

Agricultural College. 

The agricultural college fund, granted to the state by the congressional act of 1862, was 
by a subsequent legislative enactment (1866) ajiplied to the support, not of a separate agricultural 
college, but of a department of agriculture in the existing university, thus rendering it unneces- 
sary for the state to erect separate buildings elsewhere. Under the provisions of chapter 114^ 
laws of 1866, the county of Dane issued to the state, for tiie purpose of purchasing an experi- 
mental farm, bonds to the amount of $40,000. A farm of about 200 acres, adjoining the univer- 
sity grounds, was purchased, and a four years' course of study provided, designed to be thorough 
and extensive in the branches that relate to agriculture, in connection with its practical application 
upon the experimental farm. 

The productive agricultural college fund has increased from $8,061.85, in 1866, to $340,791.90, 
in 1877. 

Norm. \ I. Schools. 

The propriety of making some special provision for the instruction of teachers was 
acknowledged in the very organization of the state, a provision for normal schools having been 
embodied in the constitution itself, which ordains that after the support and naintenance of the 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 145 

' common schools is insured, the residue of the school fund shall be appropriated to academies and 
normal schools. The state legislature, in its first session in 1848, in the act establishing the Uni- 
versity of Wisconsin, declared that one of the four departments thereof should be a department 
of the theory and practice of elementary instruction. The first institution ever chartered in 
' the state as a normal school was incorporated by the legislature at its second session — 1849 — - 
' under the title of the " Jefferson County Normal School." This, however, was never organized. 
The regents, when organizing the university, at their meeting in 1849, ordained the estab- 
lishment of a normal professorship, and declared that in organizing the normal department it 
was their fi.xed intention " to make the University of Wisconsin subsidiary to the great cause of 
popular education, by making it, through i s normal department, the nursery of the educators of 
the popular mind, and the central point of union and harmony to the educational interests of the 
commonwealth." They declared that instruction in the normal department should be free to all 
suitable candidates. Little was accomplished, however, in this direction during the next ten 
years. In 1857 an act was passed by the legislature appropriating twenty-five per cent, of the 
income of the swamp-land fund " to normal institutes and academies under the supervision and 
direction of a board of regents of normal schools," who were to be appointed in accordance 
with the provisions of the act. Distribution of this income was made to such colleges, acade- 
mies, and high schools as maintained a normal class, in proportion to the number of pupils pass- 
ing a successful examination conducted by an agent of the board. In 1S59, Dr. Henry Barnard, 
who had become chancellor of the university, was made agent of the normal regents. He 
inaugurated a system of teachers' institutes, and gave fresh vigor to the normal work throughout 
the state. Resigning, however, on account of ill-health, within two years. Professor Chas. H. 
Allen, who had been conducting institutes under his direction, succeeded him as agent of the 
normal regents, and was elected principal of the normal department of the university, entering 
upon his work as the latter in March, 1864. He managed the department with signal ability and 
success, but at the end of one or two years resigned. Meantime the educational sentiment of 
the state had manifested itself for the establishment of separate normal schools. 

In 1865, the legislature passed an act repealing that of two years before, and providing 
instead that one-half of the swamp-land fund should be set apart as a normal-school fund, the 
income of which should be applied to establishing and supporting normal schools under the 
direction and management of the board of normal regents, with a proviso, however, that one- 
fourth of such income should be annually transferred to the common-school fund income, until 
the latter should amount annually to $200,000. This proviso was repealed by the legislature of 
1870, and the entire income of one-half the swamp-land fund has since been devoted to normal- 
school purposes. During the same year proposals were invited for aid in the establishment of a 
normal school, in money, land, or buildings, and propositions from various places were received 
and considered. In 1S66, the board of regents was incorporated by the legislature. In the 
same year Platteville was conditionally selected as the site of a school, and as there was already 
a productive fund of about $600,000, with an income of over $30,000, and a prospect of a steady 
increase as the lands were sold, the board decided upon the policy of establishing several schools, 
located in different parts of the state. In pursuance of this policy, there have already been 
completed, and are now in very successful operation, the Platteville Normal School, opened 
October 9, 1866; the Whitewater Normal School, opened April 21, 1868 ; the Oshkosh Normal 
School, opened September 19, 1871, and the River Falls Normal School, opened September 
2, 1875. Each assembly district in the state is entitled to eight representatives in the 
normal schools. These are nominated by county and city superintendents. Tuition is 
free to all normal students. There are in the normal schools two courses of study — an 



146 HISTORY OF ^VI8C0NSIK 

tlementary course of two j'ears, and an advanced course of four years. The student completing 
the former, receives a certificate ; the one completing the latter, a diploma. The certificate, when 
the holder has successfully taught one year after graduation, may be countersigned by the sup- 
erintendent of public instruction, when it becomes equivalent to a five-years' state certificate. ||| 
The diploma, when thus countersigned, after a like interval, is equivalent to a jiermanent state 
certificate. 

It is believed that the normal-school system of Wisconsin rests upon a broader and more 
secure basis than the corresponding system of any other state. That basis is an independent 
and permanent fund, which has already reached a million dollars. The precise amount of this 
securely invested and productive fund, September 30, 1877, was $985,681.84, and the sum of 
$45,056.84 remained uninvested. 

Teachers' Institutes. 

In addition to the work of the normal schools, the board of regents is authorized to expend 
$5,000 annually to defray the expenses of teachers' institutes. A law of 1871, amended in 1876, 
provides for normal institutes, which shall be held for not less than two consecutive weeks, and 
appropriates from the state treasury a sum not exceeding $2,000 per annum for their support. 
There were held in the state, in 1876, sixty-five institutes, varying in length from one to four 
weeks. The total number of persons enrolled as attendants was 4,660 

Graded Schools. 

Including those in the cities, the graded schools of the state number about four nundred. 
The annual report of the state superintendent for 1876 gives the number with two departments 
as one hundred and eighty-three, and the number with three or more as one hundred and 
eighty-nine. 

A law of March, 1872, provided that "all graduates of any graded school of the state, who 
shall have passed an examination at such graded school satisfactory to the faculty of the univer- 
sity for admission into the sub-freshman class and college classes of the university, shall be at 
once and at all times entitled to free tuition in all the colleges of the university." A consider- 
able number of graduates of graded schools entered the university under this law during the 
next four years, but it being deemed an unwise discrimination in favor of this class of students, 
in 1876, in the same act which provided for the tax of one tenth of one mill, the legislature pro- 
vided that from and after the 4th of July of that year no student, except students in law and 
those taking extra studies, should be required to pay any fees for tuition. Few graded schools 
of the state are able as yet to fully prepare students for entrance into the regular classes of the 
classical department of the university. The larger number prepared by them still enter the 
scientific department or the sub-freshman class. 

The Township Syste.m. 

In 1869 the legislature passed a law authorizing towns to adopt by vote the " township sys- 
tem of school government." Under this system each town becomes one school district, and the 
several school districts already existing become sub-districts. Each sub-district elects a clerk, 
and these clerks constitute a body corporate under the name of the " board of school directors," and 
are invested with the title and custody of all school houses, school-house sites, and other prop- 
erty belonging to the sub-districts, ivith power to control them for the best interests of the 
schools of the town. The law provides for an executive committee to execute the orders of the 



EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 147 

board, employ teachers, etc., and for a secretary to record proceedings of the board, have imme- 
diate charge and supervision of the schools, and perform other specified duties. But few towns 
have as yet made trial of this system, although it is in successful operation in Pensylvania, Mas- 
sachusetts, and some other states, and where fully and fairly tried in our own, has proved entirely 
satisfactory. It is the general belief of our enlightened educational men that the plan has such 
merits as ought to secure its voluntary adoption by the people of the state. 

Free High ScHooLb. 

In 1875 the legislature enacted that any town, incorporated village, or city, may establish 
and maintain not more than two free high schools, and provided for an annual appropriation of 
not to exceed $25,000, to refund one-half of the actual cost of instruction in such schools, but 
no school to draw in any one year more than $500. At the session of 1877 the benefits of the 
•act were extended to such high schools already established as shall show by a proper report that 
they have conformed to the requirements of the law. If towns decline to establish such a 
school, one or more adjoining districts in the same have the privilege of doing so. The law has 
met with much favor. For the school year ending August 31, 1876 (the first year in which it was 
in operation), twenty such schools reported, and to these the sum of $7,466.50 was paid, being 
an average of $373.32 per school. It is expected that twice this number will report for the 
second year. The high school law was primarily designed to bring to rural neighborhoods the 
two-fold advantages of (i) a higher instruction than the common district schools afford, and (2) 
a better class of teachers for these schools. It was anticipated, however, from the first that the 
imnediaie results of the law would be chiefly the improvement of existing graded schools in the 
larger villages and in cities. Experience may be said to have already confirmed both antici- 
pations. 

School Officers. 

The school officers of Wisconsin are, a state superintendent of public instruction, sixty-four 
county superintendents, twenty-eight city superintendents, and a school board in each district, 
consisting of a director, treasurer, and clerk. The state and county superintendents hold office 
two years, the district officers three years. In each independent city there is a board of educa- 
tion, and the larger cities have each a city superintendent, who in some cases is also principal of 
the high school. He is appointed for one year. The county board of supervisors determine, 
within certain limits, the amount of money to be raised annually in each town and ward of their 
county for school purposes, levy an additional amount for the salary of the county superintend- 
ents, may authorize a special school tax, and may under certain circumstances determine that 
there shall be two superintendents for their county. The town board of supervisors have authority 
to form and alter school districts, to issue notice for first meeting, to form union districts for high 
school purposes, and appoint first boards for the same, to locate and establish school-house sites 
under certain circumstances, to extinguish districts that have neglected to maintain school for 
two years, and to dispose of the property of the same. The district clerks report annually to the 
town clerks, the town clerks to the county superintendents, and the county and city superintend- 
ents to the state superintendent, who in turn makes an annual report to the governor. 

State Teachers' Certificates. 

The state superintendent is authorized by law "to issue state certificates of high grade to 
teachers of eminent qualifications.'' Two grades of these are given, one unlimited, and the 
other good for five years. The examination is conducted by a board of three examiners, 
appointed annually by the state superintendent, and acting under rules and regulations prescribed 
'>v him. 



148 HISTORY OF WIsrOXSIN. 

Teachers' Associations. 

Besides the Wisconsin State Teachers' Association, holding its annual session in the summer 

and a semi-annual or " executive " session in the winter, there are, in several jiarts of the state, 

county or district associations, holding stated meetings. The number of such associations is 

annually increasing. 

Libraries. 

The utility of public libraries as a part of the means of popular enlightenment, was early 
recognized in this state. The constitution, as set forth in 1S48, required that a portion of the 
income of the school fund should be applied to the " purchase of suitable libraries and appa- 
ratus " for the common schools. The same year the legislature of the state, at its first session, 
enacted that as soon as this income should amount to $60,000 a year (afterwards changed to 
$30,000), each town superintendent might devote one tenth of the portion of this income received 
by his town annually, to town library purposes, the libraries thus formed to be distributed among 
the districts, in sections, and in rotation, once in three months. Districts were also empowered 
to raise money for library books. The operation of this discretionary and voluntary system was 
not successful. In ten years (1858) only about one third of the districts (1,121) had libraries, 
embracing in all but 38,755 volumes, and the state superintendent, Hon. Lyman C. Draper, urged 
upon the legislature a better system, of " town libraries," and a state ta.\ for their creation and 
maintenance. In 1857, the legislature enacted that ten per cent, of the yearly income of the 
school fund should be applied to the purchase of town school libraries, and that an annual tax of 
one tenth of one mill should be levied for the same purpose. The law was left incomplete, how- 
ever, and in 1862, before the system had been perfected, the exigencies of the civil war led to 
the repeal of the law, and the library fund which had accumulated from the ten per cent, of the 
school fund income, and from the library tax, amounting in all to $88,784.78, was transferred to 
the general fund. This may be considered a debt to the educational interests of the slate that 
should be repaid. Meanwhile the single district library system languishes and yearly grows 
weaker. The re-enacting of a town library system, in which local effort and expenditure shall 
be stimulated and supplemented by state aid, has been urged upon the legislature by the present 
state superintendent, and will, it is hoped, be secured, at no distant day, as a part of a complete 
town system of schools and of public education. 

List of State Superintendents. 

The act creating the office was passed at the first session of the state legislature, in 1848, 
The incumbents up to the present time have been as follows : 

NAME OF INCUMBENT. DURATION OF INCUMBENCY. 

Hon. E. Root - Three years — 1849-50-51. 

Hon. A. P. Ladd Two years — 1852-53. 

Hon. H. A. Wright* One year and five months — 1S54-55. 

Hon. A. C. Barry Two years and seven months — 1855-56-57. 

Hon. L. C. Draper Two years — 1858-59. 

Hon. J. L. Piekardf Three years and nine months — 1860-61-62-63. 

Hon. J. G. McMynn. Four years and three months — 1S63-64-65-66-67. 

Hon. A. J. Craigt Two years and six months— 1868-69-70. 

Hon. Samuel Fallows ..Three years and six months — 1870-71-72-73. 

Hon. Edward Searing. Four years — 1874-75-76-77. 



EDl'CATTOXAL HISTOHY. 149 

Sketches of Collegf.s in Wisconsin. 

Beloit College was founded in iS47,at Beloit, under the auspices of the Congregatienal and 
Presbyterian churches of Wisconsin and northern Illinois. In 1848, Rev. Joseph Emerson and 
Rev. J. J. Bushnell were appointed professors, and in 1849, Rev. A. L. Chapin was appointed 
president, and has continued such until the present time. The institution has had a steady 
growth, has maintained a high standard of scholarship and done excellent work, both in its pre- 
paratory and college departments. Two hundred and thirty-si.x young men have graduated. 
Its lands and buildings are valued at $78,000, and its endowments and funds amount to about 
$122,000. 

Lawrence University, at Appleton, under the patronage of the Methodist church, was 
organized as a college in 1850, having been an " institute " or academy for three years previous, 
under the Rev. W. H. Sampson. The first president was Rev. Edward Cook ; the second, R. 
Z. Mason ; the present one is the Rev. George M. Steele, D. D. It is open to both s€xes, and 
has graduated 130 young men, and 68 young women. It still maintains a preparatory depart- 
ment. It has been an institution of great benefit in a new region of country, in the northeastern 
part of the state. Receiving a liberal donation at the outset from the Hon. .Amos A. Lawrence, 
of Boston, it has land and buildings valued at $47,000, at Appleton, and funds and endowments 
amounting to $60,000. 

Milton College, an institution under the care of the Seventh Day Baptists, was opened as a 
college in 1867, having been conducted as an academy since 1844. Rev. W. C. Whitford, the 
president, was for many years the principal of the academy The institution has done much 
valuable work, particularly in preparing teachers for our public schools. The college has gradu- 
ated 38 young men and women, having previously graduated 93 academic students. It has lands, 
buildings and endowments to the amount of about $50,000. 

Ripon College, which was known till 1S64 as Brockway College, was organized in 1853, at 
Ripen, and is supported by the Congregational church. Since its re-organization, in 1863, it has 
graduated 77 students (of both sexes) in the college courses, and has always maintained a large 
and flourishing preparatory department. Under its present efficient head, the Rev. E, H, Mer- 
rell, A. M., it is meeting with continued success. Its property amounts to about $125,000. 

Racine College was founded by the Episcopal Church, at Racine, in 1852, under the Rev- 
Roswell Park, D. D., as its first President. It was for a long time under the efficient administra- 
tion of Rev. James De Koven, D. D., now deceased, who was succeeded by Rev. D. Stevens 
Parker. It maintains a large boys' school also, and a preparatory department. It was designed, 
in part, to train young men for the Nashotah Theological Seminary. It has property, including 
five buildings, to the amount of about giSo,ooo, and has graduated ninety-nine young nieru Its 
principal work, in which it has had great success, is that of a boys' school, modeled somewhat 
after the English schools. 

The Seminary of St. Francis of Sales, an ecclesiastical school, w^is established at St. Fran- 
cis Station, near Milwaukee, chiefly by the combined efforts of two learned and zealous priests., 
the Rev. Michael Heiss, now bishop of La Crosse, and the Rev. Joseph Salzmann. It was 
opened in January, 1856, with Rev. M. Heiss as rector, and with 25 students. Rev, Joseph 
'alzmann was rector from September, 1868, to the time of his death, January ry, 1S74, since 
which time Rev. C. Wapelhorst has held the rectorship. The latter is now assisted by t»yelvf 
professors, and the students number 267, of whom 105 are theologians, 31 students of philosophy^ 
and the rest classical students. 

Pio Nono College is a Roman Catholic institution, at St. Francis Station, in the imm-edlate 
neighborhood of the Seminary of St. Francist It was founded in 187 1, by Rev. Joseph Salzmatuo, 

* Dieil, M.iy 29, 1S4;. f Resigncil, Octohcr I, 1S63. t Did. J-i'y 3. 1S70. 



150 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

who was the first rector. He was succeeded in 1S74 by the present rector, Rev. Thomas Brue- 
ner, who is assisted by a corps of seven professors. Besides the collej^e proper, there is a nor- 
mal department, in which, in addition to the education that qualifies for teaching in common apd 
higher schools, particular attention is given to church music. There is also, under the same 
management, but in an adjoining building, an institution for the instruction of the deaf and dumb. 
The pupils in the latter, both boys and girls, numbering about 30, are taught to speak by sounds, 
and it is said with tht best success. 

An institution was organized in 1865, at Prairie du Chien. under the name of Prairie du 
Chien College, and under the care of J. T. Lovewell, as principal. In the course of two or three 
years it passed into the hands of the Roman Catholic church, and is now known as St. John's 
■College. It has so far performed principally preparatory work. 

Sinsinawa Mound College, a Roman Catholic institution, was founded in 1848, through the 
labors of Father Mazzuchelli. but after doing a successful work, was closed in 1863, and in 1S67 
the St. Clara academy was opened in the same buildings. 

The Northwestern University, which is under the Lutheran church, was organized in 1865, 
at Watertown, under Rev. August F. Ernst, as president. It has graduated 21 young men, and 
lias a preparatory department. Its property is valued at $50,000. 

Galesville University was organized in 1859, under the patronage of the Methodist church 
at Galesville, in the northwest part of the state. The first president was the Rev. Samuel Fal- 
lows, since state superintendent. It has graduated ten young men and eight young women, its 
work hitherto having been mostly preparatory. It is now under the patronage of the Presby- 
terian denomination, with J. W. McLaury, A. M., as president. It has proj)erty valued at 
$30,000, and an endowment of about $50,000. 

Carroll College was established at Waukesha, by the Presbyterian dhurch, in 1846. Prof. J. 
W. Sterling, now of ihe state university, taught its primary classes that year. Under President 
John A. Savage, D.D., with an able corps of professors, it took a high rank and graduated 
■classes ; but for several years past it has confined its work principally to academic studies. 
Under W. L. Rankin, A. M.,the present principal, the school is doing good service. 

Wayland University was established as a college, by the Baptists, at Beaver Dam, in 1854, 
but never performed much college work. For three years past, it has been working under a new 
charter as an academy and preparatory school, and is now known as Wayland Institute. 

In 1841, the Protestant Episcopal church established a mission in the wilds of Waukeslia 
county, and, at an early day, steps were taken to establish in connection therewith an institution 
of learning. This was incorporated in 1847, by the name of Nashotah House. In 1852 the 
classical school was located at Racine, and Nashotah House became distinctively a theological 
seminary. It has an endowment of one professorship, the faculty and students being otherwise 
■sustained by voluntary contributions. It has a faculty of five protessors, with Rev. A. D. 
Cole, D.D., as president, buildings pleasantly situated, and has graduated 185 theological students. 

Female Colleges. 

Two institutions have been known under this designation. The Milwaukee Female College 
■was founded in 1852, and ably conducted for several years, under the principalship of Miss Mary 
Mortimer, now deceased. It furnished an advanced grade of secondary instruction. The Wis- 
consin Female College, located at Fox Lake, was first incorporated in 1855, and re-organized in 
1S63. It has never reached a collegiate course, is now known as Fo.\ Lake Seminary, and 
admits both sexes. Rev. A. O. Wright, A. M., is the present principal. 



AGRICL'LTUKE. 151 



Academies and Seminaries. 

The following institutions of academic grade, are now in operation: Albion Academy; 
Benton Academy; Big Foot Academy ; Elroy Seminary ; Fox Lake Seminary ; two German and 
English academies in Milwaukee ; Janesville Academy; Kemper Hall, Kenosha ; Lake Geneva 
Seminary, Geneva; Lakeside Seminary, Oconomowoc; Marshall Academy, Marshall; Merrill 
Institute, Fond du Lac; Milwaukee Academy; Racine Academy; River Falls Institute; 
Rochester Seminary; St. Catherine's Academy, Racine; St. Clara Academy; Sinsinawa 
Mound; St. Mary's Institute, Milwaukee; Sharon Academy; and Wayland Institute, Beaver 
Dam. Similar institutions formerly in operation but suspended or merged in other institu- ^ 
tions, were : Allen's Grove Academy ; Appleton Collegiate Institute ; Baraboo Collegiate Insti- 
tute; Beloit Female Seminary; Beloit Seminary; Brunson Institute, Mount Hope; Evansville Sem- 
inary ; Janesville Academy (merged in the high school) ; Kilbourn Institute ; Lancaster Institute; 
Milton .\cademy ; Platteville Academy ; Southport Academy (Kenosha); Waterloo Academy ; 
Waukesha Seminary; Wesleyan Seminary, Eau Claire; and Patch Grove Academy. The 
most important of these were the Milton and Platteville Academies, the former merged in Mil- 
ton College, the latter in the Platteville Normal School. Of the others, several were superseded 
by the establishment of public high schools in the same localities. 

Commercial Schools. 

Schools of this character, aiming to furnish what is called a business education, exist in Mil- 
waukee, Janesville, Madison, LaCrosse, Green Bay, Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. The oldest and 
largest is in Milwaukee, under the care of Prof. R. C. Spencer, and enrolls from two to three 
hundred students annually. 



AGRICULTURE. 

By W. W. DANIELLS, M.S., Prof, of Chemistry and Agriculture at the University 

OF Wisconsin. 

The trend of the earliest industries of a country, is the result of the circumstances under 
which those industries are developed. The attention of pioneers is confined to supplying the 
immediate wants of food, shelter, and clothing. Hence, the firs tsettlers of a country are farm- 
ers, miners, trappers, or fishermen, according as they can most readily secure the means of pres- 
ent sustenance for themselves and their families. In the early history of Wisconsin this law is 
well exemplified. The southern part of the state, consisting of alternations of prairie and tim- 
ber, was first settled by farmers. As the country has developed, wealth accumulated, and means 
of transportation have been furnished, farming has ceased to be the sole interest. Manufactories 
have been built along the rivers, and the mining industry of the southwestern part of the state has 
grown to one of considerable importance. The shore of Lake Michigan was first mainly settled 
tied by fishermen, but the later growth of agriculture and manufactures has nearly overshadowed 
the fishing interest ; as has the production of lumber, in the north half of the state, eclipsed the 
trapi)ing and fur interests of the first settlers. That the most important industry of Wisconsin 
is farming, may be seen from the following statistics of the occupation of the people as given by 
the United States census. Out of each one hundred inhabitants, of all occupations, 68 were 



152 



HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 



farmers, in 1840; 52 in 1S50; 54 in 1S60; 55 in 1870. The rapid growth of the agriculture of 
the state is ilhistrated by the increase in the number of acres of improved land in farms, and in 
the value of farms and of farm implements and machinery, as shown by the following table, com- 
piled from the United States census : 





ACRES IMPROVED LAND 
IN FARMS. 


VALUE OF FARMS. 
INCLUDING IMPROV- 
ED AND UNIMPROV- 
ED LANDS. 


VALUE OF FARM 
IMPLEMENTS 




TOTAL. 


TO EACH 
INHAB. 


AND 
MACHINERV, 


IS50 
1S60 
IS70 


1.045.499 
3.746.167 

5.899.343 


3.4 
4.8 
5.6 


$ 28,528,563 
131,117.164 
300,414.064 


$ 1,641,568 

5.75S.S47 

14.239.364 



Farming, at the present time, is almost entirely confined to the south half of the state, the 
northern half being still largely covered by forests. A notable exception to this statement is 
found in the counties on the western border, which are well settled by farmers much farther north. 
The surface of the agricultural ])ortion of the state is for the most part gently undulating, afford- 
ing ready drainage, without being so abruptly broken as to render cultivation difficult. The soil 
is varied in character, and mostly very fertile. The southern portion of the state consists of 
undulating prairies of variable size — the largest being Rock prairie — alternating with oak openings. 
The prairies have the rich alluvial soil so characteristic of the western prairies, and are easily 
worked. The soil of the "openings " land is usually a sandy loam, readily tilled, fertile, but not 
as "strong ''as soils having more clay. The proportion of timber to prairie increases passing north 
from the southern boundary of the state, and forests of maple, basswood and elm, replace, to 
some extent, the oak lands. In these localities, the soil is more clayey, is strong and fertile, not 
as easily tilled, and not as quickly exhausted as are the more sandy soils of the oak lands. In 
that portion of the state known geologically as the " driftless " region, the soil is invariably good 
where the surface rock is limestone. In some of the valleys, however, where the lime-rock has 
heen remov-ed by erosion, leaving the underlying sandstone as tlie surface rock, the soil is sandy 
and unproductive, except in those localities where a large amount of alluvial matter has been 
deposited by the streams. The soils of the pine lands of the north of the state, are generally 
sandy and but slightly fertile. However, where pine is replaced by maple, oak, birch, elm and 
basswood, the soil is "heavier " and very fertile, even to the shores of Lake Superior. 

The same natural conditions that make Wisconsin an agricultural state, determined that 
during its earlier years the main interest should be grain-growing. The fertile prairies covering 
large portions of the southern part of the state had but to be plowed and sowed with grain to 
produce an abundant yield. From the raising 01 cereals the pioneer farmer could get the 
quickest returns for his labor. Hence in 1850, two years after its admission to the Union, Wis- 
consin was the ninth state in order in the production of wheat, while in i860 this rank was raised 
to third, Illinois and Indiana only raising more. The true rank of the state is not shown by 
these figures. Were the number of inhabitants and the number of acres of land in actual culti- 
vation taken into account in the comparison, the state would stand still higher in rank than is 
here indicated. There is the same struggle for existence, and the same desire for gain the world 
over, and hence the various phases of development of the same industry in different civilized 
countries is mainly the result of the widely varying economical conditions imposed upon that 
industry. Land is thoroughly cultivated in Europe, not because the Europeans have any 
inherent love for good cultivation, but because there land is scarce and costly, while labor is 
superabundant and cheap. In America, on the other hand, and especially in the newer statesj 



AGRICULTI'RE. 153 

land is abundant and cheap, while labor is scarce and costly. In its productive industries each 
country is alike economical in the use of the costly element in production, and more lavish in 
the use of that which is cheaper. Each is alike economically wise in following such a course 
when it is not carried to too great extremes. With each the end sought is the greatest return for 
the expenditure of a given amount of capital. In accordance with this law of economy, the 
early agriculture of Wisconsin was mere land-skimming. Good cultivation of the soil was never 
thought of The same land was planted successively to one crop, as long as it yielded enough 
to pay for cultivation. The economical principle above stated was carried to an extreme. Farm- 
ing as then practiced was a quick method of land exhaustion. It was always taking out of the 
purse, and never putting in. No attention was paid to sustaining the soil's fertility. The only 
aim was to secure the largest crop for the smallest outlay of capital, without regard to the future. 
Manures were never used, and such as unavoidably accumulated was regarded as a great nuis- 
ance, often rendering necessary the removal of stables and outbuildings. Straw-stacks were 
invariably burned as the most convenient means of disposing of them. Wheat, the principal 
product, brought a low, price, often not more than fifty cents a bushel, and had to be marketed 
by teams at some point from which it could be carried by water, as this was, at an early day, the 
only means of transportation. On account of the sparse settlement of the country, roads were 
poor, and the farmer, after raising and threshing his wheat, had to spend, with a team, from two 
to five days, marketing the few bushels that a team could draw. So that the farmer had every 
obstacle to contend with except cheap and very fertile land, that with the poorest of cultivation 
gave a comparatively abundant yield of grain. Better tillage, accompanied with the use of 
manures and other fertilizers, would not, upon the virgin soils, have added sufficiently to the 
yield to pay the cost of applying them. Hence, to the first farmers of the iXaXt, poor farming was 
the only profitable farming, and consequently the only good farming, an agriculturo-economical 
paradox from which there was no escape. Notwithstanding the fact that farmers could economi- 
cally follow no other system than that of land-exhaustion, as described, such a course was none 
the less injurious to the state, as it was undermining its foundation of future wealth, by destroy- 
ing the fertility of the soil, that upon which the permanent wealth and prosperity of every agri- 
cultural community is first dependent. Besides this evil, and together with it, came the habit of 
loose and slovenly farming acquired by pioneers, which continued after the conditions making 
that method a necessity had passed away. With tlie rapid growth of the northwest came better 
home markets and increased facilities for transportation to foreign markets, bringing with them 
higher prices for all products of the farm. As a consequence of these better conditions, land in 
farms in the state increased rapidly in value, from $9.58 per acre in 1850, to $16.61 in i860, an 
increase of 62 per cent., while the total number of acres in farms increased during the 
same time from 2,976,658 acres to 7,893,587 acres, or 265 per cent. With this increase in the 
value of land, and the higher prices paid for grain, should have come an improved system of hus- 
bandry which would prevent the soil from deteriorating in fertility. This could have been 
accomplished either by returning to the soil, in manures and fertilizers, those ingredients of which 
it was being rapidly drained by continued grain-growing, or by the adoption of a system of mixed 
husbandry, which should include the raising of stock and a judicious rotation of crops. Such a 
system is sure to come. Indeed, it is now slowly coming. Great progress upon the earlier 
methods of farming have already been made. But so radical and thorough a change in the 
habits of any class of people as that from the farming of pioneers to a rational method that will 
preserve the soil's fertility and pay for the labor it demands, requires many years for its full 
accomplishment. It will not even keep pace with changes in those economical conditions wliich 



154 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



favor it. In the rapid settlement of the northwestern states this change has come most rapidly 
with the replacement of the pioneer farmers by immigrants accustomed to better methods of 
culture. In such cases the pioneers usually '' go west '' again, to begin anew their frontier farming 
upon virgin soil, as their peculiar method of cultivation fails to give them a livelihood. In Wis- 
consin as rapid progress is being made in the system of agriculture as, all things considered,, 
could reasonably be expected. This change for the better has been quite rapid for the past ten 
years, and is gaining in velocity and momentum each year. It is partly the result of increased 
intelligence relating to farming, and partly the result of necessity caused by the unprofitableness 
of the old method. 

The estimated value of all agricultural products of the state, including that of orchards^ 
market gardens, and betterments, was, in 1870, as given in the census of that year, $79,072,967, 
which places Wisconsin twelfth in rank among the agricultural states of the Union. In 1875^ 
according to the " Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture," the value of the principal farm 
crops in this state was $58,957,050. According to this estimation the state ranks ninth in agri- 
cultuf-al importance. -\s has been before stated, Wisconsin is essentially a grain-growing state. 
This interest has been the principal one, not because the soil is better adapted to grain-growing 
than to general, stock, or dairy farming, but rather because this course, which was at an early 
day most immediately profitable, has been since persistently followed from force of habit, even 
after it had failed to be remunerative. 

The following table shows the bushels of the different grains raised in the state for the years 
indicated : 



Year. 


WHEAT. 


RYE. 


CORN. 


OATS. 


BARLEY. 


BUCK- 
WHEAT. 


1850---. 

i860 

1870 ... 
1875*--- 


4,286,131 
15.657.458 
25,606,344 
25,200,000 


81.253 

888,544 
1.325.294 
1,340,000 


1.988,979 

7.517.300 

15,033,988 

15,200,000 


3.414.672 
11,059,260 
20,180,016 
26,600,000 


209,672 

707.307 
1,645,019 
2,200,000 


79,878 

3S.9S7 
408,897 
275,000 



From these statistics it will be seen that the increase in the production of grain was very 
rapid up to 1870, while since that time it has been very slight. This rapid increase in grain 
raising is first attributable to the ease with which this branch of farming was carried on upon the 
new and very rich soils of the state, while in the older states this branch of husbandry has been 
growing more difficult and expensive, and also to the fact that the war in our own country so 
increased the demand for grain from 1861 to 1866 as to make this course the most immediately 
profitable. But with the close of the war came a diminished demand. Farmers were slow to 
recognize this fact, and change the character of their productions to accord with the wants of 
the market, but rather continued to produce the cereals in excess of the demand. The chinch 
bug and an occasional poor season seriously injured the crops, leaving those who relied princi- 
pally upon the production of grain little or nothing for their support. Hard times resulted from 
these poor crops. More wheat and corn was the farmer's usual remedy for hard times. So that 
more wheat and corn were planted. More crop failures with low prices brought harder times, 
until gradually the farmers of the state have opened their eyes to the truth that they can succeed 
in other branches of agriculture than grain growing, and to the necessity of catering to the 

♦Estimated in report of commissioner of agriculture. 



AGRICULTURE. 155 

demands of the market. The value in 1S69 of all farm products and betterments of the state 
was $79,072,967. There were raised of wheat the same year 25,606,344 bushels, which at $1.03 
per bushel, the mean price reported by the Milwaukee board of trade, for No. 2 wheat (the lead- 
ing grade), for the year ending July 31, 1870, amounts to $26,374,524, or one third the value of 
all agricultural products and betterments. The average production per acre, as estimated by the 
commissioner of agriculture, was 14 bushels. Hence there were 1,829,024 acres of land devoted to 
this one crop, nearly one third of all the improved land in the state. Of the wheat crop of 1S69 
24,375,435 bushels were spring wheat, and 1,230,909 bushels were winter wheat, which is 19.8 
bushels of spring to i bushel of winter wheat. The latter is scarcely sown at all on the prairies, 
or upon light opening soils. In some of the timbered regions hardy varieties do well, but it is 
not a certain crop, as it is not able to withstand the winters, unless covered by snow or litter. It 
is not injured as seriously by the hard freezing, as by the alternate freezing and thawing of Feb- 
ruary and March. 

The continued cropping of land with grain is a certain means of exhausting the soil of the 
phosphates, and of those nitrogenous compounds that are essential to the production of grain, and 
yet are present even in the most fertile soils in but small quantities. To the diminished yield, 
partly attributable to the overcropping of the land, and partially to poor seasons and chinch bugs, 
and to the decline in prices soon after the war, owing to an over production of wheat, may largely 
be attributed the hard times experienced by the grain growing farmers of Wisconsin from 1872 to 
1877. The continued raising of wheat upon the same land, alternated, if any alternation 
occurred, with barley, oats, or corn, has produced its sure results. The lesson has cost the 
farmers of the state dearly, but it has not been altogether lost. A better condition of affairs has 
already begun. Wheat is gradually losing its prestige as the farmers' sole dependence, while 
stock, dairy, and mixed farming are rapidly increasing. The number of bushels of wheat 
raised to each inhabitant in the state was in 1850 fourteen, in i860 twenty-three and eight tenths, 
in 1870 twenty-four, and in 1875 twenty and four tenths. These figures do not indicate a dimin- 
ished productiveness of the state, but show, with the greatly increased production in other 
branches of husbandry, that farmers are changing their system to one more diversified and 
rational. Straw stacks are no longer burned, and manure heaps are not looked upon as altogether 
useless. Much more attention is now paid to the use of fertilizers. Clover with plaster is looked 
upon with constantly increasing favor, and there is a greater seeking for light upon the more 
difficult problems of a profitable agriculture 

Corn is raised to a large extent, although Wisconsin has never ranked as high in corn, as in 
wheat growing. Sixteen states raised more corn in 1870 than this state, and in 1875, seventeen 
states raised more. Corn requires a rich, moist soil, with a long extended season of warm sun- 
shine. While this crop can be raised with great ease in the larger portion of the state, it will 
always succeed better farther south, both on account of the longer summers and the greater 
amount of rainfall. According to the statistics of the commissioner of agriculture, the averai^e 
yield per acre for a period of ten years, is about 30 bushels. Corn is an important crop in the 
economy of the farmer, as from it he obtains much food for his stock, and it is his principal 
dependence for fattening pork. On these accounts it will, without doubt, retain its place in the 
husbandry of the state, even when stock and dairy farming arc followed to a much greater extent 
than at present. Barley is cultivated largely throughout the state, but five states produced more 
in 1870, than Wisconsin. The great quantity of beer brewed here, furnishes a good home market 
for this grain. Barley succeeds best in a rather moist climate, having a long growing season. 
The dry, short summers of Wisconsin, are not well adapted to its growth. Hence the average 



156 HISTORY OF "VVISCOXSIX. 

yield is but a medium one, and the quality of the grain is onl}- fair. According to the returns 
furnished the commissioner of agriculture, the average yield for a period of ten years, is 22 
bushels per acre. 

Next to wheat, more bushels of oats are raised than of any other grain. Wisconsin was, in 
i860, fifth in rank among the oat-growing states; in 1870, sixth. The rich soils of the state 
raise an abundant crop of oats with but little labor, and hence their growth in large quantities is 
hot necessarily an indication of good husbandry. They will bear poor cultivation better than 
corn, and are frequently grown upon land too weedy to produce that grain. It is a favorite 
"rain for feeding, especially to horses. With the best farmers, oats are looked upon with less 
favor than corn, because it is apt to leave land well seeded with weeds whicli are difficult to 
exterminate. In the production of rye, Wisconsin ranked seventh in i860, and fourth in 1870. 
It is a much surer crop in this state than winter wheat, as it is less easily winter- killed when not 
protected by snow, than is that grain. Besides, it ripens so early as not to be seriously injured 
by drouth in summer, and succeeds well even upon the poorer soils. The average yield per acre 
is about 16 bushels. 

But few hops were grown in Wisconsin, up to i860, when owing to an increased demand by 
the breweries 1 f the state, there was a gradual but healthful increase in hop culture. A few 
years later the advent of the hop louse, and other causes of failure at the east, so raised the price 
of hops as to make them a very profitable crop to grow. Many acres were planted in this state 
from 1863 to 1865, when the total product was valued at nearly $350,000. The success of those 
em'ao-ed in this new branch of farming, encouraged others to adopt it. The profits were large. 
Wheat growing had not for several years been remunerative, and in 1867 and 1868, the " hop 
fever " became an epidemic, almost a plague. The crop of Sauk county alone was estimated at 
over 4,000,000 pounds, worth over $2,000,000. The quality of the crop was excellent, the yield 
laro-e, and the price unusually high. The secretary of the State .Agricultural society says, in his 
report for that year, " Cases are numerous in which the first crop has paid for the land and all 
the improvements." To many farmers hop raising appeared to offer a sure and speedy course to 
wealth. But a change came quickly. The hop louse ruined the crop, and low prices caused by 
over production, aided in bringing ruin to many farmers. In 1867, the price of hops was from 
40 to 55 cents per pound, while in 1869 it was from 10 to 15 cents, some of poor ipiality selling 
as low as 3 cents. Many hop yards were plowed up during 1S69 and 1870. The area under 
cultivation to this crop in 1875, was, according to the " Report of the Secretary of State," 10,932 

acres. 

The production of tobacco has greatly increased since i860, when there were raised in the 
state 87,340 pounds. In 1870, the product was 960,813 pounds. As is well known, the quality 
of tobacco grown in the northern states is greatly inferior for chewing and smoking, to that grown 
in the south, althijugh varieties having a large, tough leaf, suitable for cigar wrappers, do well 
here. The variety principally grown is the Connecticut seed leaf. Tobacco can only be grown 
successfully on rich, fertile soils, and it is very exhausting to the land. Of the amount produced 
in 1870, there were raised in Rock county 645,408 pounds, and in Dane county, 229,568 pounds; 
the entire remaining portion of the state raised but 85,737 pounds. According to the report of 
the secretary of state, the whole number of acres planted to tobacco in 1875, was 3,296. Of this 
amount Rock county planted 1,676 acres, and Dane county, 1,454 acres, leaving for the remain- 
der of the state but 166 acres. While the crop has been fairly productive and profitable, these 
statistics show that up to the present time tobacco-raising has been a merely local interest. 

The production of flax is another merely local industry, it being confined principally to the 



AGRICULTI'RE. 157 

•counties of Kenosha, Grant, Iowa and LaFayette. Of flax fibre, Kenosha county raised in 1869, 
nearly four fifths of the entire amount grown in the state, the total being 497,398 pounds. With 
the high price of labor and the low price of cotton now ruling, it is scarcely possible to make the 
raising of flax fibre profitable. Flax seed is raised to a small extent in the other counties men- 
tioned. The present price of oil makes this A. fairly profitable crop. If farmers fully appreciated 
that in addition to the oil, the oil cake is of great value as a food for cattle and sheep, and also 
that the manure made by the animals eating it, is of three times the value of that made by ani- 
mals fed upon corn, doubtless much more flax seed would be raised than is at present. Ameri- 
can oil-cake finds a ready market in England, at prices which pay well for its exportation. If 
English farmers can afford to carry food for their stock so far, American farmers may well strive 
to ascertain if ihey can afford to allow the exportation of so valuable food. When greater atten- 
tion is paid in our own country to the quality of the manure made by our stock, more oil-cake 
will be fed at home, and a much smaller proportion of that made here will be exported. 

The amount of maple sugar produced diminishes as the settlement of the state increases, 
and is now scarcely sufficient in amount to be an item in the state's productions. The increase 
in the price of sugar from 1S61 to 1868 caused many farmers to try sorghum raising. But the 
present low prices of this staple has caused an abandonment of the enterprise. Two attempts 
have been made in Wisconsin to manufacture beet-root sugar, the first at Fond du Lac in 1867 
the second at Black Hawk, Sauk county, in 1870. The Fond du Lac company removed their 
works to California in 1869, not having been successful in their efforts. The Black Hawk coni- 
])any made, in 1871, more than 134,000 pounds of sugar, but have since abandoned the business. 
Both these failures may be attributed to several causes, first of which was the want of sufficient 
capital to build and carry on a factory sufficiently large to enable the work to be done economi- 
cally ; secondly, the difficulty of sufficiently interesting farmers in the business to induce them 
to raise beets on so large a scale as to warrant the building of such a factory; and, thirdly, the high 
price of labor and the low price of sugar. The quality of beets raised was good, the polarization 
test showing in many instances as high as sixteen per cent, of sugar. The larger proDortion of 
hay made in the state is from the natural meadows, the low lands or marshes, where wild grasses 
grow in abundance, and hay only costs the cutting and curing. Cultivated grasses do well 
throughout the state, and " tame hay " can be made as easily here as elsewhere The limestone 
soils, where timber originally grew, are of the uplands, most natural to grass, and, consequently, 
furnish the richest meadows, and yield the best pasturage. Ye e only soils where grasses do 
not readily grow, are those which are so sandy and dry as to be nearly barrens. Clover grows 
throughout the state in the greatest lu.xuriance. There is occasionally a season so dry as to make 
"seeding down " a failure, and upon light soils clover, when not covered with snow, is apt to win- 
ter-kill. Yet it is gaining in favor with farmers, both on account of the valuable pasturage and 
hay it affords, and on account of its value as a soil renovator. In wheat-growing regions, clover 
is now recognized to be of the greatest value in a " rotation," on account of its ameliorating 
influence upon the soil. Throughout the stock and dairy regions, clover is depended upon to a 
large extent for pasturage, and to a less extent for hay. 

There has been a growing interest in stock raising for the past ten years, although the 
increase has not been a rapid one. Many of the herds of pure-blood cattle in the state rank 
high for their great excellence. The improvement of horses has been less rapid than that of cattle, 
sheep, and swine ; yet this important branch of stock farming is improving each year. The most 
attention is given to the improvement of draught and farm horses, while roadsters and fast horses 
are not altogether neglected. There are now owned in the state a large number of horses of the 
heavier English and French breeds, which are imparting to their progeny their own characteristics 



158 



HISTORY OF "\VISC0XSI:N". 



of excellence, the effects of which are already visible in many of the older regions of the state. 
Of the different breeds of cattle, the Short-horns, the Ayrshires, the Devons, and the Jerseys are 
well represented. The Short-horns have met with most favor with the general farmer, the grades 
of this breed being large, and possessing in a high degree the quiet habits and readiness to fat- 
ten, so characteristic of the full-bloods. Without doubt, the grade Short-horns will continue in 
the high favor in which they are now held, as stock-raising becomes a more important branch of 
the husbandry of the state. Of pure blood Short-homs there are many herds, some of which 
are of the very highest excellence. At the public sales of herds from this state, the prices 
have ranked high universally, and in a few cases have reached the highest of " fancy " prices, 
showing the estimate placed by professional breeders upon the herds of Wisconsin. The Ayr- 
shires are increasing in numbers, and are held in high esteem by many dairymen. They are not 
yet, however, as generally disseminated over the state, as their great merit as a milking breed 
would warrant. The rapid growth of the dairy interest will doubtless increase their numbers 
greatly, at least as grades, in the dairying region. Of pure bred Devons and Jerseys, there are 
fewer than of the former breeds. The latter are principally kept in towns and cities to furnish 
milk for a single family. The following table shows the relative importance of stock raising in 
the state for the years mentioned. The figures are an additional proof to those already given, 
that the grain industry has held sway in Wisconsin to the detriment of other branches of farming, 
as well as to the state's greatest increase in wealth. 



YEAR. 


WHOLE NUM- 
BER OF NEAT 
CATTLE. 


NO. TO EACH 

100 ACRES OF 

IMPROVED 

LAND. 


WHOLE NUM- 
BER OF SHEEP. 


NIMBER TO 
EACH 100 
ACRES OF 
IMPROVED 
LAND. 


POUNDS OF 
WOOL PRO- 
DUCED. 


POUNDS 

OF WOOL 

PER 

HEAD. 


1850 

i860 

1870 

1875* 


183,433 
521,860 
693,294 
922,900 


17 
14 

II 


124,896 

332.954 
1,069,282 
1,162,800 


12 

9 

iS 

14 


253,963 
1.011,933 
4,090,670 
(?) 


2.03 
3.04 

3.82 
(?) 



* Estimated in report of commissioner of agriculture. 

The growth and present condition of sheep husbandry, compare much more favorably with- 
the general development of the state than does that of cattle raising. In a large degree this 
may be accounted for by the impetus given to wool raising during our civil war by the scarcity 
of cotton, and the necessary substitution to a great extent, of woolen for cotton goods. This 
great demand for wool for manufacturing purposes produced a rapid rise in the price of this 
staple, making its production a very profitable branch of farming. With the close of the war 
came a lessened demand, and consequently lower prices. Yet at no time has the price of wool 
fallen below that at which it could be profitably produced. This is the more notably true when 
the value of sheep in keeping up the fertility and productiveness of land, is taken into account. 
The foregoing table shows the improvement in this branch of husbandry since 1850 

Although many more sheep might profitably be kept in the state, the above figures show that 
the wool interest is fairly developed,, ind the average weight of fleece is an assurance of more 
than ordinarily good stock. The fine-wooled sheep and their grades predominate, although 
there are in the state some excellent stock of long-wools — mostly Cotswold — and of South- 
downs. 

Of all the agricultural interests of the state, no other has made as rapid growth during the 
last ten years, as has that of dairying. With the failure of hop-growing, began the growth of 
the factory system of butter and cheese making, and the downfall of the one was scarcely more 
rapid than has been the upbuilding of the other. The following statistics of the production of 
butter and cheese illustrate this rapid progress. It will be remembered that for the years 1850, 



AGRICULTL'RE. 



159 



3860, and 1S70 the statistics are from the U. S. census, and hence include all the butter and 
cheese made in the state, while for the remaining years, only that made by factories and pro- 
fessional dairymen as reported to the secretary of the State Dairymen's Association, is included. 
It has been found impossible to obtain the statistics of butter, except for the census years. 



YEAR. 


BUTTER. 


CHEESE. 


1850..-- 

i860 


lbs. 

3.633.750 
13,611,328 
22,473036 


lbs. 

400,283 

1,104.300 

1,591,798 

13,000 000 


1870 

1874--- 

1871; 




15,000,000 


1876 -.- 


17,000,000 









The quality of Wisconsin dairy products is excellent, as may be judged by the fact that, at 
the Centennial Exhibition, Wisconsin cheese received twenty awards, a larger number than was 
given to any other state except New York, and for butter Wisconsin received five awards. No 
■state received more, and only New York and Illinois received as many. Wisconsin received one 
award for each fourteen cheeses on exhibition No other state received so large a proportion. 
New York received the largest number of awards, viz., twenty-one, but only secured one award 
for each thirty cheeses on exhibition. The number of cheese and butter factories is increasing 
each year, and there is being made in the better grazing regions of the state, as rapid a transition 
from grain to dairy-farming as is consistent with a healthful growth. This interest, which is now 
an important one in the state's industrial economy, has before it a promising future, both in its 
own development, and in its indirect influence upon the improvement of the agriculture of the 
state. 

The history of the earlier attempts in fruii raising in Wisconsin would be little more than a 
record of failures. The pioneers planted apple, peach, plum, and cherry trees, but they gathered 
little or no fruit. As was natural, they planted those varieties that were known to do well in the 
older states of the same latitude. Little was known of the climate, and there was no apparent 
reason why those varieties should not do well here. 'Die first orchards died The same varie- 
ties were replanted, and again the orchards died. Gradually, through the costly school of 
experience, it was learned that the climate was different from that of the eastern states, and that 
to succeed here varieties of fruit must be such as were adapted to the peculiar climate of this 
state. These peculiarities are hot, and for the most part, dry summers, cold and dry winters. 
The dryness of the climate has been the greatest obstacle to success, as this is indirectly the cause 
of the great extremes of temperature experienced here. The summers are often so dry that the 
growth of the trees is not completed, and the wood sufficiently well ripened to enable it to with- 
stand the rigors of winter. And the clear, dry atmosphere of winter allows the sun's rays to 
pass through it so unobstructedly as to warm the body of the tree upon the sunny side, above 
the freezing point, even though the temperature of the air is much lower. The alternate thawing 
and freezing ruptures the tender cells connecting the bark and wood, producing a complete sepa- 
ration of these parts, and often besides bursts the bark. The separation of bark and wood 
destroys the circulation of the sap upon that side of the tree, thus enfeebling the entire 
plant. The tree is not able to form new bark over the ruptured part, and a diseased spot 
results. Such a plant makes but a feeble growth of poorly ripened wood, and soon dies 



160 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

altogether. Besides the above cause, the extreme cold weather occasionally experienced will kill 
healthy trees of all varieties not extremely hardy. Xotwithstanding these natural obstacles, a 
good degree of success has been attained in the raising of apples and grapes. This success has 
been the result of persevering effort upon the part of the horticulturists of the state, who have 
sought the causes of failure in order that they might be removed or avoided. It is thus by intel- 
ligent observation that the fruit growers have gained the experience which brings with it a 
creditable success. The first requisite to success is the planting of varieties sufficiently hardy 
to withstand our severe winters. This has been accomplished by selecting the hardiest of the 
old varieties, and by raising seedlings, having besides hardiness, qualities sufficiently valuable to. 
make them worthy of cultivation. The second requisite to success is in the selection of a situa- 
tion having suitable soil and exposure, and thirdly, proper care after planting. Among tho 
hardy varieties of apples regarded with greatest favor are Tetofski, Red Astrachan, and Duchess 
of Oldenberg, all Russian varieties, and Fameuse from Canada. Besides these there are a few 
.\merican varieties so hardy as to prove reliable in the south half of the state. Among these 
are a few seedlings that have originated in Wisconsin. Apple trees are less apt to be injured by 
the winter upon a site sloping to the northeast or north, where they are less directly exposed to 
the rays of the winter's sun. High ground is much better than low, and a good, strong, not too 
rich soil is best. Apples do better upon soils where timber originally grew than on the prairies, 
and they are grown more easily along the border of Lake Michigan than in the interior of the 
state. Pears are raised to but a slight extent, as only a few of the hardiest varieties will succeed 
at all, and these only in favorable situations. Grapes are grown in great abundance, and in 
great perfection, although not of the more tender varieties. The Concord, on account of its 
hardiness and excellent bearing qualities, is cultivated most generally. Next to this comes the 
Delaware, while many other varieties, both excellent and prolific, are raised with great ease. The 
season is seldom too short to ripen the fruit well, and the only precaution necessary to protect 
the vines during the winter is a covering of earth or litter. Cranberries grow spontaneously 
upon many marshes in the interior of the state. Within a' few years considerable attention has 
been given to improving these marshes, and to the cultivation of this most excellent fruit. 
Doubtless within a few years the cranberry crop will be an important one among the fruit pro- 
ductions of the state. All of the small fruits adapted to this latitude are cultivated in abundance, 
and very successfully, the yield being often times exceedingly large, .\ltogether, the horticul- 
tural interests of the state are improving, and there is a bright prospect that in the near future 
fruit growing will not be looked upon with the disfavor with which it has been regarded here- 
tofore. 

Of the associations for advancing the agricultural interests of the state, the first organizeti 
was the " State Agricultural Society." The earliest efforts to establish such an organization were 
made at Madison in December, 1S46, during the session of the first constitutional convention of 
the territory. \ constitution was adopted, but nothing further was done. In February, 1849, 
another meeting was held in Madison, at which it was " Resolved, That in view of the grea^ 
importance of agriculture in the west, it is expedient to form a state agricultural society in 
Wisconsin." .\nother constitution was adopted, and officers were elected, but no effectual 
organization resulted from this second attempt. The " Wisconsin State Agricultural Society" — 
the present organization — had its inception in a meeting held at Madison, March 8, 1851, at 
which a committee was appointed to report a constitution and by-laws, and to nominate persons 
to fill the various offices of said society. .\t its organization, the society was composed of annual 
members, who paid one dollar dues each year, and of life members, who, upon the payment of 
ten dollars, were exempt from the annual contribution. The annual membership was afterward 



AGRICULXniE 161 

abolished, and in 1869 the fee constituting one a life member was raised to twenty dollars. The 
first annual fair of the society was held in Janesville, in October, 1851 Fairs have been held 
annually since, except during the years 1S61, 1862 and 1863. In 1851 premiums were paid to 
the amount of only $140, while at the present time they amount to nearly $10,000. In 1851 
there were five life members. At the present time there are over seven hundred, representing all 
the various industries of the state. The fairs held under the auspices of this society have been 
of e.xcellent character, and have been fruitful of good to all the industries of the state, but more 
especially to the farmers. The state has been generous in aid of this society, having furnished 
commodious rooms for its use in the capitol building, prmted the annual report of the secretary, 
a volume of about 500 pages, and donated annually, (or many years, $2,000 toward its support, 
Besides its annual fairs, for the past five years there has been held an annual convention, under 
the auspices of this society, for the reading and discussing of papers upon topics of interest to 
farmers, and for a general interchange of ideas relating to farming. These conventions are held 
in high esteem by the better class of farmers, and have added greatly to the usefulness of the 
society. The " Wisconsin State Horticultural Society" was originally the "Wisconsin State 
Fruit Growers' Association," which was organized in December, 1853, at Whitewater. Its 
avowed object was "the collecting, arranging, and disseminating facts interesting to those engaged 
in the culture of fruits, and to embody for their use the results ol' the practice and experiments, 
of fruit growers in all parts of the state.'" Exhibitions and conventions of the association were 
held annually up to i860, after which the society was disorganized, owing to the breaking out of 
the war of the rebellion A volume of " Transactions " was published by the association in 
1855. In 1859 its transactions were published with those of the state agricultural society. From 
i860 to 1865 no state horticultural association was in existence. In September of the latter 
year the " Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association " was reorganized as the " Wisconsin State Hor- 
ticultural Society.'' The legislature had previously provided for the publication of the proceedings 
of such a society, in connection with those of the State Agricultural Society. The new society has 
held annual exhibitions, usually in connection with those of the State Agricultural Society, and 
annual conventions for the reading of papers upon, and the discussion of, horticultural subjects. In 
1S71 an act was passed by the legislature incorporating the society, and providing for the separate 
printing of 2,000 copies annually of its transactions, of which there are now seven volumes. The 
most active, intelligent, and persevering of the horticulturists of the state are members of this 
association, and to their careful observation, to their enthusiasm and determined persistence in 
seeking means to overcome great natural difficulties, the state is largely indebted for the success 
already attained in horticulture. Besides these state associations, there are many local agricul- 
tural and horticultural societies, all of which have been useful in aiding the cause for which they 
were organized. Farmers' clubs and granges of the "Patrons of Husbandry" have also, 
done much, both directly and indirectly, to promote the industrial interests of the state. By thei 
frequent meetings, at which discussions are held, views compared, and experiences related, much 
valuable intelligence is gained, thought is stimulated, and the profession of farming advanced. 
.\s agriculture, like all kindred professions, depends upon intelligence to direct its advancemen;, 
all means intended to stimulate thought among farmers will, if wisely directed, aid in advancing 
this most complex of all industries. To those above named, and to other like associations, 
is in a large degree to be attributed the present favorable condition of the agriculture of 
the state. 

Wisconsin has been but tliirty years a state. It was mainly settled by men who nad little monied 
capital. Markets were distant, and means of transportation poor. The early settlers had con- 
sequently to struggle for a livelihood in the face of the greatest difficulties. When these opposing 



162 HISTORY or WISCOXSIX. 

circumstances are taken into account, and the improvement in methods of culture, and changes 
from grain to stock and dairy-farming that are now being made, are given their due w<r;ight, it 
must be acknowledged that the present condition of the agriculture of the state is excellen', and 
that the future of this most important industry is rich in promise of a steady, healthful grcwt'i, 
toward a completer development of all the agricultural resources of the state. 



MINERAL RESOURCES. 

By ROLAXD D. IRVING, Professor of Geology, etc., at the University of 

Wisconsin. 

The useful mineral materials that occur within the limits of the state of Wisconsin, come 
under both of the two grand classes of such substances : the metallic ores, from which the 
metals ordinarily used in the arts are extracted ; and the non-metallic substances, which are used in 
the arts for the most part without any preliminary treatment, or at least undergo only a very 
partial alteration before being utilized. Of the first class are found in Wisconsin the ores of 
lecul, zinc, iron and copper, besides minute traces of the precious metals ; of the second class, the 
principal substances found are brick-clay, kaolin, cement-rock, limestone for burning into quick-lime, 
limestone for flux, glass sarul, peat and building stone. 

LEAD AND ZINC. 

These metals are considered together because they are found occurring together in the same 
region and under exactly the same circumstances, being even obtained from the same openings. 
Lead has for many years been the most important metallic production of Wisconsin, and, together 
with zinc, whose ores have been utilized only since i860, still holds this prominent i)osition, 
although the production is not so great as formerly. Small quantities of lead and zinc ores have 
been found in the crystalline (.A.rch?ean) rocks of the northern part of the state and in the copper- 
bearing rocks of the Lake Superior country, but there are no indications at present that these 
regions will ever produce in quantity. All of the lead and zinc obtained in Wisconsin comes 
then from that portion of the southwestern part of the state which lies west of Sugar river and 
south of the nearly east and west ridge that forms the southern side of the valley of the Wis- 
consin, from the head of Sugar river westward. This district is commonly known in Wisconsin 
as the " Lead Region," and forms the larger part of the " Lead Region of the Upper Missis- 
sip|)i," which includes also smaller portions of Iowa and Illinois. 

What European first became acquainted with the deposits of lead in the upper portion of 
valley of the Mississippi isamatter of some doubt. Charlevoix (Histoire de la Nouvelle France, 
III, 397, 398.) attributes the discovery to Nicolas Perrot, about 1692 ; and states that in r72i 
the deposits still bore Perrot's name. Perrot himself, however, in the only one of his writings 
that remains, makes no mention of the matter. The itinerary of Le Sueur's voyage up the 
Mississippi, 1700-1701, given in La Harpe's History of Louisiana, which was written early in 
the 1 8th century, shows tliat the former found lead on the banks of the Mississippi, not far from 



MINERAL RE.SOUECES. 



163 



the present southern boundary of Wisconsin, August 25, 1700. Captain Johatlian Carver, 
1766, found lead in abundance at the Blue Mounds, and found the Indians in all the country 
around in possession of masses of galena, which they had obtained as " float mineral," and 
which they were incapable of putting to any use. There is no evidence of any one mining 
before Julien Dubuque, who, 1788 to 1809, mined in the vicinity of the flourishing city which 
nowbears his name. After his death in 1809 nothing more was done until 1821, when the 
attention of American citizens was first drawn to the rich lead deposits of this region. By 1827, 
the mining had become quite general and has continued to the present time, the maximum 
production having been reached, however, between the years 1845 and 1847. 

The following table, prepared by the late Moses Strong, shows the mineral production of 
southwestern Wisconsin for the years i860 to 1873 in pounds: 



YE.A.RS. 


■ 

GALENA. 


SMITHSONITE. 


YEAR. 


GALENA. 


SMITHSONITE. 


BLENDE. 


i860 




320,000 
266,000 

1,120,000 

3.173.333 
4,198,200 

7.373.333 


1S67 
186S 
1869 
1870 

^87I 
1872 

T873 


13 820.784 
13.869.619 
13,426,721 

13.754.159 

13,484,210 

11,622,668 

9.9'9.734 


5.181,445 
4.302,383 
4.547.971 
4.429.585 
16,618.160 
27.02i.3S3 
18,528.906 


841.310 

3.078,435 
6.252,420 
7.414.022 
9.303.625 
16.256.970 
15,074.664 


IS61 




1862 

18'>3 
1864 
1865 
1866 


17.037.912 

15.105.577 
13 014.210 

14.337.895 
14,029,192 



Until within the last decade the lead mines of the Mississippi valley, including now both 
the " Ujiper" and the " Lower " regions — the latter one of which lies wholly within the limits of 
the state of Missouri — have far eclipsed the rest of the United States in the production of lead, 
the district being in fact one of the most important of the lead districts in the world. Of late 
years, however, these mines are far surpassed in production by the " silver-lead " mines of Utah 
and other Rocky Mountain regions, which, though worked especially for their silver, produce 
incidentally a very large amount of lead. Nevertheless, the mines of the Mississippi valley will 
long continue to be a very important source of this metal. The lead ore of the Wisconsin lead 
region is of one kind only, the sulphide known && galena, ox galeniie. This ore, when free from 
mechanically mingled impurities, contains 86.6 per cent, of lead, the balance being sulphur. 
Sm.ill quantities of other lead ores are occasionally found in the uppermost portions of the deposits, 
having been produced by the oxidizing influence of the atmosphere. The chief one of these 
oxidation products is the earthy carbonate known as ccrussite. Galena almost always contains 
some silver, commonly enough to pay for its extraction. The Wisconsin galenas, however, are 
Unusually free from silver, of which they contain only tlie merest trace. 

The zinc ores are of two kinds, the most abundant being the ferruginous sulphide, or the 
"black-jack " of the miners. The pure sulphide, sphalerite, contains 67 per cent, of zinc, but the 
iron-bearing variety, known minerallogically as tnarmatite, generally contains 10 per cent, or 
more of iron. A ferruginous variety of the carbonate, .f;/«'//«ci«//(', also occurs in abundance, and 
is known to the miners as "dry-bone," the name being suggested by the peculiar structure of the 
ore. 

Both lead and zinc ores occur in limited deposits in a series of limestone beds belonging to 
the Lower Silurian series. The lead region is underlaid by a nearly horizontal series of strata, 
with an aggregate thickness of 2,000 feet, which lie upon an irregular surface of ancient crystal- 
line rocks (gneiss, granite, etc.). The names and order of succession of the several strata are 
indicated in the following scheme, the last named being the lowest in the series : 



164 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 



Formatioi, Thicituss. 

Niagara dolomitic limestone 3CX5 — - 300 feet. 

Cincinnati shales .__ „ 60 — 100 " 

; Galena dolomitic limestone 250 — 275 " 

4ead Horizon • Blue limestone 50 — 75 " 

' ISufl' dolomitic limestone 15 — 20 " 

Lower Magnesian (dolomitic) limestone 250 " 

Potsdam sandstone series 800 — 1000 " 

The first two of these layers, in the Wisconsin part of the lead region, are met with only in a 
few isolated peaks and ridges. The prevailing surface rock is the Galena limestone, through 
which, however, the numerous streams cut in deep and narrow valleys which not unfrequently 
are carved all the way into the Lower Magnesian. 

The lead and zinc ores are entirely confined to the Galena, Blue and Buff limestones, an 
aggregate vertical thickness of some 350 to 375 feet. The upper and lower strata of the series 
are entirely barren. Zinc and lead ores are found in the same kind of deposits, and often 
together; by far the larger part of the zinc ores, however, come from the Blue and Buff limestones, 
and the lowest layers of the Galena, whilst the lead ores, though obtained throughout the whole 
thickness of the mining ground, are especially abundant in the iijiddle and upper layers of the 
Galena beds. 

The ore deposits are of two general kinds, which may be distinguished as vertical crevicesi 
and flat crevices, the former being much the most common. The simplest form of the vertical 
crevice is a narrow crack in the rock, having a width of a few inches, an extension laterally from 
a few yards to several hundred feet, and a vertical height of 20 to 40 feet, thinning out to noth- 
ing in all directions, and filled from side to side with highly crystalline, brilliant, large-surfaced 
galena, which has no accompanying metallic mineral, or gangue matter. Occasionally the vertical 
extension exceeds a hundred feet, and soinetimes a number of these sheets are close together 
and can be mined as one. Much more commonly the vertical crevice shows irregular expan- 
sions, which are sometimes large caves, or openings in certain layers, the crevice between retain- 
ing its normal character, while in other cases the expansion affects the whole crevice, occasion- 
ally widening it throughout into one large opening. These openings are rarely entirely filled, 
and commonly contain a loose, disintegrated rock, in which the galena lies loose in large masses, 
though often adhering to the sides of the cavity in large stalactites, or in cubical crystals. The 
vertical crevices show a very distinct arrangement parallel with one another, there being two 
systems, which roughly trend east and west, and north and south. The east and west crevices are 
far the most abundant and most productive of ore. The vertical crevices are confined nearly 
altogether to the upper and middle portions of the Galena, and are not productive of zinc ores. 
They ar» evidently merely the parallel joint cracks which affect every great rock formation, filled 
by chemical action with the lead ore. The crevices with openings have evidently been enlarged 
by the solvent power of atmospheric water carrying carbonic acid, and from the way in which the 
ore occurs loose in the cavities, it is evident that this solving action has often been subsequent 
to the first deposition of lead ore in the crevice. 

The " flat crevices," " flat sheets," and "flat openings," are analogous to the deposits just 
described, but have, as indicated by the names, a horizontal position, being characteristic of 
certain layers, which have evidently been more susceptible to chemical action than others, the 
dissolving waters having, moreover, been directed along them by less pervious layers above and 
below. The flat openings differ from the vertical crevices also, in having associated with the 



MINERAL UESOT'RCES. • 165 

galena much of either the black-jack or dry-bone zinc ores, or both, the galena not unfrcquently 
being entirely wanting. Cleavable calcite also accompanies the ores in these openings in large 
quantities, and the same is true of the sulphide of iron, which is the variety known as marcasite. 
These materials have sometimes a symmetrical arrangement on the bottom and top of the open- 
ing, the central portion being empty. The flat openings characterize the Blue and Duff and 
lower Galena beds, and from them nearly all the zinc ore is obtained. 

It is not possible, in the limits of tins short papei, even to mention the various mining 
districts. It may merely be said that the amount of galena raised from single crevices has often 
been several hundred thousand, or even over a million pounds, and that one of the principal 
mining districts is in the vicinity of Mineral Point, where there are two furnaces constantly" 
engaged in smelting. Between the years 1862 and 1873, these two establishments have produced' 
23,903,260 pounds of metallic lead, or an average of 1,991,938 pounds, the maximum being, in. 
1S69, 2,532,710 pounds, the minimum, in 1873, 1,518,888 pounds. 

The zinc ores were formerly rejected as useless, and have only been utilized since i860. Ak 
attempt to smelt them at Mineral Point was not successful, because the amount needed of fuel 
and clay, both of which have to come from a distance, exceeding even the amount of ore used,, 
caused a very heavy expense for transportation. The ores are therefore now taken altogether to 
LaSalle, Illinois, where they meet the fuel and clay, and the industry at tliat place has become 
a flourisliing one. The amount of zinc ore in the Wisconsin lead region is, beyond doubt, very 
great, and will be a source of wealth for a long time to come. 

Since the ores of zinc and lead in this region are confined to such a small thickness of strata, 
greatly eroded by the atmospheric waters, the entire thickness having frequently been removed,, 
it becomes a matter of great importance to know how much of the mining ground remains at 
every point throughout the district. The very excellent topographico-geological maps of the 
region, made by Mr. Moses Strong, and just published by the state in the Report of the Geologi- 
cal Survey, make this knowledge accessible to all. 

IRON. 

Iron mining in Wisconsin is yet in its infancy, although some important deposits are 
producing a considerable quantity of ore. A number of blast furnaces have sprung up in the- 
eastern part of the state, but these smelt Michigan ores almost entirely. Much remains yet \<y 
be done in the way of exploration, for the most promising iron fields are in the heavily timbered 
and unsettled regions of the north part of the state, and are as yet imperfectly known. It 
appears probable, however, that iron ores will, m the near future, be the most important mineral 
production of Wisconsin. The several ores will be noted in the order of their preient im- 
portance. 

Red He.matites. 

The iron in these ores exists as an anhydrous sesquioxide, which is, however, in an earthy 
:ondition, and entirely without the brilliant metallic luster that characterizes the specular hema- 
tites. Pure hematite contains seventy per cent, of metallic iron, but the red hematites, as mined,, 
ire always so largely mingled with mechanical impurities that they rarely contain more than fifty 
per cent. The most important red hematite mined in Wisconsin is that known as the Clititon iron 
ore, the name coming from the formation in which the ore occurs. This formation is a member 
Df the Upper Silurian series, and is named from a locality in Oneida county, New York, where it 
was first recognized. Associated with its rocks, which are limestones and shales, is corv- 
stantly found a peculiar red hematite, which is so persistent in its characters, both physical and 



16G IIISTOHY or AVISCOXSIX. 

and chemical, that one familiar with it from any one locality can hardly fail to recognize it when 
coming from others. The iron produced from it 15 always "cold-short," on account of the large 
content of phosphorus; but, mingled with siliceous ores free from pliosphorus, it yields always 
a most excellent foundry iron. It is mined at numerous points from New York to Tennessee, 
and at some jjoints reaches a very great total thickness. In Wisconsin the Clinton rocks merge 
into the great Niagara limestone series of the eastern part of the state, but at the bottom of the 
series, in a few places, the Clinton ore is found immediately overlying the Cincinnati shales. The 
most important locality is that known as Iron Ridge, on sections twelve and thirteen in the town 
of Hubbard, in Dodge county. Here a north-and-south ledge of Niagara limestone overlooks lower 
land to the west. Underneath, at the foot of the ridge, is the ore bed, fifteen to eighteen feet in 
thickness, consisting of horizontally bedded ore, in layers three to fourteen inches thick. The 
ore has a concretionary structure, being composed of lenticular grains, one twenty-fifth of an inch 
in diameter, but the top layer is without this structure, having a dark purplish color, and in places 
a slight metallic appearance. Much of the lower ore is somewhat hydrated. Three quarters of 
a mile north of Iron Ridge, at Mayville, there is a total thickness of as much as forty feet. 
According to Mr. E. T. Sweet, the percentages of the several constituents of the Iron Ridge ore 
are as follows: iron pero.xide, 66.38; carbonate of lime, 10.42; carbonate of magnesia, 2.79; 
silica, 4.72; alumina, 5.54; manganese oxide, 0.44; sulphur, 0.23; phosphoric acid, 0.73; water, 
8.75 = 100: metallic iron, 46.66. 

Two small charcoal furnaces at Mayville and Iron Ridge smelt a considerable quantity of 
these ores alone, producing an iron very rich in phosphorus. An analysis of the Mayville pig 
iron, also by Mr. Sweet, shows the following composition: iron, 95.784 per cent; phosphorus, 
1.675: carbon, 0.849; silicon, 0.108 = 100.286. The average furnace yield of the ore is forty- 
five per cent. By far the larger part of the ore, however, is sent away to mingle with other ores. 
It goes to Chicago. Joliet and Springfield, 111., St. Louis, Mo., Wyandotte and Jackson, Mich., 
and Appleton, Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wis. In 1872, the Iron Ridge mines yielded 8.:, 371 
to;is. The Clinton ore is found at other places farther north along the outcrop of the base of 
the Niagara formation in Wisconsin, but no one of these appears to promise any great quantity 
of good ore. Red hematite is found at numerous places in Wisconsin, highly charging certain 
layers of the Potsdam sandstone series, the lowest one of the horizontal Wisconsin formations. 
In the eastern part of the town of Westfield, Sauk county, the iron ore excludes the sandstone, 
forming an excellent ore. No developments have been made in this district, so that the size of 
the deposit is not definitely known. 

Brown Hem.\tites. 

These ores contain their iron as the hydrated, or brown, sesquioxide, which, when pure, 
has about sixty per cent, of the metal; the ordinary brown hematites, however, seldom 
contain over forty per cent. Bog iron ore, a porous brown hematite that forms by deposi- 
tion from the water of bogs, occurs somewhat widely scattered underneath the large marshes of 
Portage, Wood and Juneau counties. Very excellent bog ore, containing nearly 50 per cent, of 
iron, is found near Necedah, Juneau county, and near Grand Rapids, Wood county, but the 
amount obtainable is not definitely known. The Necedah ore contains: silica, 8.52 ; alumina, 
377; iron peroxide, 71.40; manganese oxide, 0.27; lime, 0.5S; magnesia, trace; phosphoric 
acid, 0.21; sulphur, 0.02; organic matter, 1.62; water, 13.46=99.85, metallic iron, 49.98 — 
according to Mr. E. T. Sweet's analysis. An ore from section 34, twp. 23, range 6 east. Wood 
county, yielded, to Mr. Oliver Matthews, silica, 4.81 ; alumina, 1.00; iron peroxide, 73.23 ; lime, 
o.ti, magnesia. 0.25; sulphuric acid, 0.07 ; phosphoric acid, o. 10 ; organic matter, 5.88; water, 



:mixkuai, Ki:s()rRCEs. 167 

[4.24; =99.69: metallic iron, 51.26. 

Brown hematite, mingled with more or less red ore,' occurs also in some quantity filling cracks 
md irregular cavities in certain portions of the Potsdam series in northwestern Sauk county and 
he adjoining portion of Richland. A small charcoal furnace has been in operation on this ore 
It Ironton, Sauk county, for a number of years, and recently another one has been erected at 
"azenovia in the same district. 

Magnetic Ores and Specular Hematites. 

These are taken together here, because their geological occurrence is the same, the two ores 
)ccurring not only in the same group of rocks, but even intimately mingled with one another. 
Phase ores are not now produced in Wisconsin ; but it is quite probable that they may before 
nany years become its principal mineral production. In magnetic iron ore, the iron is in the 
hape of the mineral magnetite, an oxide of iron containing 72 4 per cent of iron when pure, and 
his is the highest percentage of iron that any ore can ever have. Specular hematite is the same 
IS red hematite, but is crystalline, has a bright, metallic luster, and a considerable hardness. As 
nined the richest magnetic and specular ores rarely run over 65 per cent., while in most regions 
vhere they are mined they commonly do not reach 50 per cent. The amount of rich ores of this 
:ind in the northern peninsula of Michigan is so great, however, that an ore with less than 50 per 
ent. finds no sale; and the same must be true in the adjoining states. So largely does this mat- 
er of richness affect the value of an ore, that an owner of a mine of 41; per cent. " hard " ore in Wis- 
:onsin would find it cheaper to import and smelt Michigan 65 per cent, ore, than to smelt his own, 
:ven if his furnace and mine were side by side. 

The specular and magnetic ores of Wisconsin occur in two districts — the Penokee iron dis- 
rict, ten to twenty miles south of Lake Superior, in Bayfield, Ashland and Lincoln counties, and 
he Menomonee iron district, near the head waters of the Menomonee river, in township 40, 
■anges 17 and 18 east, Oconto county. Specular iron in veins and nests is found in small quan- 
ities with the quartz rocks of the Baraboo valley, Sauk county, and Necedah, Juneau county; 
.nd very large quantities of a peculiar quartz-schist, charged with more or less of the magnetic 
.nd specular iron oxides, occur in the vicinity of Black River Falls, Jackson county ; but in none 
if these places is there any promise of the existence of valuable ore. 

In the Penokee and Menomonee regions, the iron ores occur in a series of slaty and 
[uartzose rocks known to geologists as the Haronian series. The rocks of these districts are 
eally the extensions westward of a great rock series, which in the northern Michigan peninsula 
:ontains the rich iron ores that have made that region so famous. In position, this rock series 
nay be likened to a great elongated parabola, the head of which is in the Marquette iron district 
nd the two"ends in the Penokee and Menomonee regions of Wisconsin. In all of its extent, this 
ock series holds great beds of lean magnetic and specular ores. These contain large quantities 
if quartz, which, from its great hardness, renders them very resistant to the action of atmospheric 
rosion. As a result, these lean ores are found forming high and bold ridges. Such ridges of 
san ores have deceived many explorers, and not a few geologists. In the same rock series, for 
he most part occupying portions of a higher layer, are found, however, ores of extraordinary 
ichness and purity, which, from their comparative softness, very rarely outcrop. The existence 
n quantity of these very rich ores in the Menomonee region has been definitely proven. One 
leposit, laid open during the Summer of 1S77, shows a width of over 150 feet of first class 
pecular ore ; and exceeding in size the greatest of the famous deposits of Michigan. In the 
'enokee region, however, though the indications are favorable, the existence of the richer 
ires is as yet an inference only. The Penokee range itself is a wonderful development of 



lt>8 IIISTORYOF AVisCOXSIX. 

lem ore, which fovms a continuous belt several hundred feet in width and over thirty miles in 
length. Occasionally portions of this belt are richer than the rest, and become almost merchant- 
:able ores. The probability is, however, that the rich ores of this region will be found in the 
lower country immediately north of the Penokee range, where the rocks are buried beneath 
heavv accumulations of drift material. 

Copper. 

The only copper ore at present raised in Wisconsin is obtained near Mineral Point, in the 
lead region of the southwestern part of the state, where small quantities of chalcopyrite,\.\\z yellow 
sulphide of copper and iron, are obtained from pockets and limited crevices in the Galena lime- 
•stone. Copper pyrites is known to occur in this way throughout the lead region, but it does not 
appear that the quantity at any point is sufficient to warrant exploration. 

Copper occurs also in the northernmost portions of Wisconsin, where it is found under alto- 
gether different circumstances. The great copper-bearing series of rocks of Keweenaw point and 
Isle Royale stretch southwestward into and entirely across the state of Wisconsin, in two parallel 
belts. One of these belts enters Wisconsin at the mouth of the Montreal river, and immediately 
leaving the shore of Lake Superior, crosses Ashland and Bayfield counties, and then widening 
greatly, occupies a large area in Douglas, St. Croix, Barron and Chippewa counties. The other 
Ijelt forms the backbone of the Bayfield peninsula, and crosses the northern part of Douglas 
county, forming a bold ridge, to the Minnesota line. The rocks of this great series appear to 
be for the most part of igneous origin, but they are distinctly bedded, and even interstratified 
with sandstone, shales, and coarse boulder-conglomerate, the whole series having generally a 
tilted position. In veins crossing the rock-beds, and scattered also promiscuously through the 
layers of both conglomerates and igneous rocks, pure metallic copper in fine flakes is often 
found. Mining on a small scale has been attempted at numbers of points where the rivers 
flowing northward into Lake Superior make gorges across the rock series, but at none of them 
Jias sufficient work been done to prove or disprove the existence of copper in paying quantity. 

Gold and Silver. 

Small traces of gold have been detected by tiie writer in (juartz from the crystalline rocks 
«f Clark county, but there is no probability that any quantity of this metal will ever be found in 
the state. Traces of silver have also been found in certain layers of the copper series in Ash- 
land county. Judging from the occurrence of silver in the same series not far to the east in 
Michigan, it seems not improbable that this metal may be found also in Wisconsin. 

Brick Cl.avs. 

These consti':ute a very important resource in Wisconsin. Extending inland for many miles 
fiom the shores of Lakes Michigan and Superior are stratified beds of clay of lacustrine origin, 
having been deposited by the lakes w^hen greatly expanded beyond their present sizes. All of 
these clays are characterized by the presence of a large amount of carbonate of lime. Along 
T^ike Superior they have not yet been utilized, but all through the belt of country bordering 
Lake Michigan they are dug and burned, fully 50,000,000 bricks being made annually in this 
region. A large proportion of these bricks are white or cream-colored, and these are widely 
"known under the name of "' Milwaukee brick," though by no means altogether made at Mil- 
ivaukee. Others arc ordinary red brick. The difference between the light-colored and red 
jijricks is ordinarily attributed to the greater amount of iron in the clay from which the latter are 



MIKERAL KESOURCES. 



169 



burned, but it has been shown by Mr. E. T Stveet that the white bricks are burned from clay 
which often contains more iron than that from which the red bricks are made, but wliich also 
contains a very large amont of carbonate of lime. The following analyses show (i) tlie compo- 
sition of the clay from which cream-colored brick are burned at Milwaukee, (2) the composition 
of a red-brick clay from near Madison, and (3) the composition of the unutilized clay from 
Ashland, Lake Superior. Nos. i and 2 are by Mr. E. T. Sweet, No. 3 by Professor W. W. 
Daniells : 





(I) 


(2) 


(3) 




(i.l 


(2) 


<3) 




3S.22 

975 

2.S4 

1. 16 

16.23 

7-54 
18.50 


75.S0 
11.07 

3-53 
0.31 / 
1.84 - 
.08) 
1.09 


5S.08 

25.38 

4-44 

S.30 


Potash _. 


2.16 
0.65 


1-74 
o..in 




Alumina 


Soda 




Iron peroxide 

£ron protoxide.-- 


Water . . 


Qt; ' TCI 


[ 4-09 


Moisture 

Totals 


1.85 


2.16 
99.56 


Magnesia. 


99.85 


100.19 









At Milwaukee 24,000,000 cream-colored brick are made annually ; at Racine, 3,500,000 ; at 
x\ppIeton and Menasha, 1,800,000 each; at Neenah, 1,600,000; at Clifton, 1,700,000; at Wat- 
erloo, 1,600,000; and in smaller quantities at Jefferson, Ft. Atkinson, Edgerton, Whitewater, 
Geneva, Ozaukee, Sheboygan Falls, Manitowoc, Kewaunee, and other places. In most cases the 
cream-colored bricks are made from a bright-red clay, although occasionally the clay is light- 
colored. At Whitewater and other places tile and pottery are also made from this clay. 

Although these lacustrine clays are much the most important in Wisconsin, e.xcellent brisk 
clays are also found in the interior of the state. In numbers of places along the Yahara valley, 
in Dane county, an excellent stratified clay occurs. At Madison this is burned to a red brick ; at 
Stoughton and Oregon to a fine cream-colored brick. At Platteville, Lancaster, and other points 
in the southwestern part of the state, red bricks are made from clays found in the vicinity. 



Kaolin (Porcelain -Clay — Fire - Clay). 

The word "kaolin." is applied by geologists to a clay-like material which is used in making 
chinaware in this country and in Europe. The word is of Chinese origin, and is applied by the 
Chinese to the substance from which the famous porcelain of China is made. Its application to 
the European porcelain-ir/ar was made under the mistaken idea — one which has prevailed among 
scientists until very recently — that the Chinese material is the same as the European. This we 
now know to be an error, the Chinese and Japanese wares being both made altogether from a 
solid rock. 

True kaolin, using the word in its European sense, is unlike other ordinary clays, in being 
the result of the disintegration of felspathic crystalline rocks " in place,"' that is without being 
removed from the place of its first formation. The base of kaolin is a mineral known as kaoHnite, a 
compound of silica, alumina and water, which results from a change or decay of the felspar of 
felspar-bearing rocks. Felspar contains silica, alumina, and soda or potash, or both. By perco- 
lation through the rocks of surface water carrying carbonic acid, the potash and soda are 
removed and kaolinite results. Mingled with the kaolinite are, however, always the other ingre- 
dients of the rock, quartz, mica, etc., and also always some undecomposed, or only partly decom- 
posed felspar. These foreign ingredients can all, however, be more or less perfectly removed by 
•a system of levigation, when a pure white clay results, composed almost wholly of the scales of 



170 



HISTORY (»F AVISCOXSIX. 



the mineral kaolinite. Prepared in this way the kaolin has a high value as a refractory materia. ;, 
and for forming the base of fine porcelain wares. 

The crystalline rocks, which, by decomposition, would produce a kaolin, are widely spread 
over the northern part of Wisconsin ; but over the most of the region occupied by them there is no 
sign of the existence of kaolin, the softened rock having apparently been removed by glacial 
action. In a belt of country, however, which extends from Grand Rapids on the Wisconsin, 
westward to Black river, in Jackson county, the drift is insignificant or entirely absent; the glacial 
forces have not acted, and the crystalline rocks are, or once were, overlaid by sandstone, along 
whose line of junction with the underlying formation numerous water-courses have existed, the 
result being an unusual amount of disintegration. Here we find, in the beds of the Wisconsin, 
Yellow, and Black rivers, large exposures of crystalline rocks, which between the rivers 
are overlaid by sandstone. The crystalline rocks are in distinct layers, tilted at high angles, 
and in numerous places decomposed into a soft white kaolin. Inasmuch as these layers 
strike across the countr)- m long, straight lines, patches of kaolin are found ranging 
themselves into similar lines. The kaolin patches are most abundant on the Wisconsin 
in the vicinity of the city of Grand Rapids, in Wood county. They vary greatly in size, 
one deposit even varying from a fraction of an inch to a number of feet in thickness. 
The kaolin varies, also, greatly in character, some being quite impure and easily fusible 
from a large content of iron oxide or from partial decomposition only, while much of it is very 
pure and refractory. There is no doubt, however, that a large amount of kaolin exists in this 
region, and that by selection and levigation an excellent material may be obtained, which, by 
mingling with powdered quartz, may be made to yield a fire-brick of unusual refractoriness, and 
which may even be employed in making fine porcelain ware. 

The following table gives the composition of the raw clay, the fine clay obtained from it by 
levigation, and the coarse residue from the same operation, the sample having been taken from 
the opening on tlie land of Mr. C. B. Garrison, section 5, town 22, range 6 east, Wood county; 





RAW CLAY. 


LEVIGATION PRODUCTS. | 




RAW CLAY. 


LEVIGATION PROPICTS 




FINE CLAY. 


COARSE 
RESIDUE. 


FINE CLAY. 


COARSE 
RESIDIK. 




7S.83 
1343 
0.74 
0.64 
0.07 

0.37 


4994 

3680 
0.72 

trace 
0.51 


02.86 
20S 

0.74 1 
0.96 ' 
0.10 
0.2S 


Soda - . 

Carbonic Acid 

Water 


O.CW7 
001 

5-45 


0.08 
11.62 


0.05 


\luniina _-_--. 


Iron peroxide 

Lime .- 

Magnesia 

Potash 


2-53 


Totals 


99.60 


99.67 


99.60 



Cement - Rock. 



Certain layers of the Lower Magnesian limestone, as at Ripon, and other points in the east- 
ern part of the state, are known to produce a lime which has in some degree the hydraulic 
property, and the same is true of certain layers of the Blue limestone of the Trenton group, in 
the southwestern part of the state ; the most valuable material of this kind, however, that is as yet 
known to exist in Wisconsin, is found near Milwaukee, and has become very recently somewhat 
widely known as the " Milwaukee " cement-rock. This rock belongs to the Hamilton formation, 
and is found near the Washington street bridge, at Brown Deer, on the lake shore at Whitefish 



MINERAL RESOURCES. 



171 



bay, and at otlier points in the immediate vicinity of Milwaukee. The quantity attainable is 
large, and a very elaborate series of tests by D. J. Whittemore, chief engineer of the Milwau- 
kee and St. Paul railroad, shows that the cement made from it exceeds all native and foreign 
cements in strength, except the famous English " Portland " cement. The following are 
three analyses of the rock from different points, and they show that it has a very constant 
composition : 





I. 


2. 


3- 




45-54 

32-46 

17.56 

1.41 

3-03 

1 00.00 


48.29 

29-19 

17.36 

1.40 

2.24 


41-34 

34-88 

16.99 

5.00 


Carbonate of M agnesia 

Silica _ 






1.79 






Totals 


98.68 


100.00 



Limestone for Making Quick - lime. 

Quick-lime is made from all of the great limestone formations of Wisconsin, but more is 
burnt from the Lower Magnesian and Niagara formations, than from the others. The Lower 
Magnesian yields a very strong mortar, but the lime burned from it is not very white. It is burned 
largely in the region about Madison, one of the largest quarries being on the south line of section 
^;^ of that town, where some 20,000 bushels are produced annually, in two kilns. The lime from 
this place has a considerable local reputation under the name of " Madison lime." The Trenton 
limestone is burned at a few points, but yields an inferior lime. The Galena is not very generally 
burned, but yields a better lime than the Trenton. In the region about Watertown and White- 
water, some 40,000 to 50,000 barrels are made annually from this formation. 

The Niagara, however, is the great lime furnisher of the northwest. From its purity it is 
adapted to the making of a most adrnirable lime. It is burned on a large scale at numbers of 
points in the eastern part of the state, among which may be mentioned, Pellon's kilns, Pewau- 
kee, where 12,000 barrels are made weekly and shipped to Chicago, Grand Haven, Des Moines, 
etc.; and Holick &: Son's kilns, Racine, which yield 60,000 to 75,000 barrels annually. A total 
ot about 400,000 barrels is annually made from the Niagara formation in eastern Wisconsin. 



Limestone for Flt'x in Iron Smelting. 

The limestones of Wisconsin are rarely used as a flux, because of their prevalent magnesian 
character. The stone from Schoonmaker's quarry, near Milwaukee, is used at the Bay View 
iron works, and is one of the few cases. There are certain layers, however, in the Trenton lime- 
stone, widely spread over the southern part of the state, which are non-magnesian, and frequently 
sufficiently free from earthy impurities to be used as a flux. These layers deserve the attention 
of the iron masters of the state. 

Glass Sand. 

Much of the St. Peter's sandstone is a purely siliceous, loose, white sand, well adapted to 
the making of glass. It is now being put to this use at points in the eastern part of the state. 



172 HISTORY OF "VVISCOXSIX. 



Peat. 

Peat exists in large quantities and of good ijuality underneath the numerous marshes of the 
eastern and central parts of the state. Whether it can be utilized in the future as a fuel, will 
depend altogether upon the cost of its preparation, which will have to be very low in order that 
it may compete with superior fuels. As a fertilizer, peat has always a great value, and requires 
no 'ireliminary treatment. 

Building Stones. 

All the rocky formations of Wisconsin are used in building, and even the briefest synopsis 
of the subject of the building stones of the state, would exceed the limits of this paper. A few 
of the more prominent kinds only are mentioned. 

Granite occurs in protruding masses, and also grading into gneiss, in the northern portions 
of the state, at numerous points. In many places on the Wisconsin, Yellow, and Black rivers, 
and especially at Big Bull Falls, Yellow river, red granites of extraordinary beauty and value 
occur. These are not yet utilized, but will in the future have a high value. 

The handsomest and most valuable sandstone found in Wisconsin, is that which extends 
along the shore of Lake Superior, from the Michigan to the Minnesota line, and which forms the 
basement rock of the Apostle islands. On one of these islands a verj' large quarry is opened, 
from which are taken masses of almost any size, of a very closcrgrained, uniform, dark brown 
stone, which has been shipped largely to Chicago and Milwaukee. At the latter place, the well 
known court house is built of this stone. An equally good stone can be obtained from the neigh- 
boring islands, and from points on the mainland. A very good white to brown, indurated sand- 
stone is obtained from the middle portions of the Potsdam series, at Stevens Point, Portage 
county; near,Grand Rapids, Wood county; at Black River Falls, Jackson county; at Packwau- 
kee, Marquette county; near Wautoma, Waushara county ; and at several points in the Baraboo 
valley, Sauk county. A good buff-colored, calcareous sandstone is quarried and used largely in 
the vicinity of Madison, from the uppermost layers of the Potsdam series. 

All of the limestone formations of the state are quarried for building stone. A layer known 
locally as the "Mendota" limestone, included in the upper layers of the Potsdam series, yields a 
very evenly bedded, yellow, fine-grained rock, which is largely quarried along the valley of the 
lower Wisconsin, and also in the country- about Madison. In the town of Westport, Dane 
county, a handsome, fine-grained, cream-colored limestone is obtained from the Lower Magne- 
sian. The Trenton limestone yields an evenly bedded, thin stone, which is frequently used for 
laying in wall. The Galena and Niagara are also utilized, and the latter is capable, in much of 
the eastern part of the state, of furnishing a durable, easily dressed, compact, white stone. 

In preparing this paper, I have made use of Professor Whitney's " Metallic Wealth of the 
United States," and " Report on the Geology of the Lead Region;" of the advance sheets of 
Volume II of the Reports of the State Geological Survey, including Professor T. C. Chamberlin's 
Report on the Geology of Eastern Wisconsin, my own Report on the Geologj' of Central Wisconsin, 
and Mr. Strong's Report on the Geology of the Lead Region ; Mr. E. T. Sweet's account of the 
tnineral exhibit of the state at the Centennial Exposition ; and of my unpublished reports on the 
geology of the counties bordering Lake Superior. 



WISCONSIN railroads; 

By Hon. H. H. GILES. 

The territory of Wisconsin offered great advantages to emigrants. Explorers had published 
accounts of the wonderful fertility of its soil, the wealth of its broad prairies and forest openings, 
and the beauty of its lakes and rivers. Being reached from the older states by way of the lakes 
and easily accessible by a long line of lake coast, the hardships incident to weeks of land travel 
were avoided. Previous to 1836 but few settlements had been made in that part of the 
then territory of Michigan, that year organized into the territory of Wisconsin, except 
as mining camps in the southwestern part, and scattered settlers in the vicinity of the 
"trading posts and military stations. From that time on, with the hope of improving their condi- 
tion, thousands of the enterprising yeomanry of New England, New York and Ohio started for 
the land of promise. Germans, Scandinavians and other nationalities, attracted by the glowing 
accounts sent abroad, crossed the ocean on their way to the new world; steamers and sail-craft 
laden with families and their household goods left Buffalo and other lake ports, all bound for 
the new Eldorado. It may be doubted if in the history of the world any country was ever peo- 
pled with the rapidity of southern and eastern Wisconsin. Its population in 1S40 was 30,749; 
in 1850,304,756; in i860, 773,693; in 1870, 1,051,351; in 1875, 1,236,729. With the develop- 
ment of the agricultural resources of the new territory, grain raising became the most prominent 
interest, and as the settlements extended back from the lake shore the difficulties of transporta- 
tion of the products of the soil were seriously felt. The expense incurred in moving a load of 
produce seventy or eighty miles to a market town on the lake shore frequently exceeded the gross 
sum obtained for the same. All goods, wares and merchandise, and most of the lumber used 
must also be hauled by teams from Lake Michigan. Many of our early settlers still retain 
vivid recollections of trying experiences in the Milwaukee woods and other sections bordering 
on the lake shore, from the south line of the state to Manitowoc and Sheboygan. To meet the 
great want — better facilities for transportation — a valuable land grant was obtained from 
congress, in 1838, to aid in building a canal from Milwaukee to Rock river The company which 
was organized to construct it, built a dam across Milwaukee river and a short section of the canal ; 
then the work stopped and the plan was finally abandoned. It was early seen that to satisfy the 
requirements of the people, railroads, as the most feasable means of commuoicatiou within 
their reach, were an indispensable necessity. 

CHrcAGO. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. 

Between the years 183S and 1841, the territorial legislature of Wisconsin chartered several 
railroad companies, but with the exception of the "Milwaukee & Waukesha Railroad Company,'' 
incorporated in 1847, none of the corporations thus created took any particular shape. The 
commissioners named in its charter met November 23, 1847, and elected a president. Dr. L. W. 
Weeks, and a secretary, A. W. Randall (afterward governor of Wisconsin). On the first Monday 
of February, 1848, they opened books of subscription. The charter of the company ijrovided 



174 HISTORY OF AVISCOXSIK. 

that $100,000 should be subscribed and five percent, thereof paid in before the company should 
fully organize as a corporation. The country was new. There were plenty of active, energetic 
men, but money to build railroads was scarce, and not until April 5, 1849, was the necessary 
subscription raised and percentage paid. .\ board of directors was elected on the loth day of 
May, and Byron Kilbourn chosen president. The charter had been previously amended, in 1848, 
authorizing the company to build a road to the Mississippi river, in Grant county, and in 1850, 
its name was changed to the " Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company." After the company 
was fully organized, active measures were taken to push the enterprise forward to completion. 
The city of Milwaukee loaned its credit, and in 1S51 the pioneer Wisconsin railroad reached 
Waukesha, twenty miles out from Milwaukee. In the spring of 1852, Edward H. Broadhead, a 
prominent engineer, from from the state of New York, was put in charge of the work as chief 
engineer and superintendent. Under his able and energetic administration the road was pushed 
forward in 1852 to Milton, in 1853 to Stoughton, in 1854 to Madison, and in 1856 to the Mis- 
sissippi river, at Prairie du Chien. In 1851 John Catlin of Madison, was elected president 
in place of Kilbourn. 

The proposed length of this article will not admit of any detailed statement of the trials,, 
struggles and triumphs of the men who projected, and finally carried across the state, from the 
lake to the river, this first Wisconsin railroad. Mitchell, Kilbourn, Holton, Tweedy, Catlin, 
Walker, Broadhead, Crocker and many others, deserve to be remembered by our people as bene- 
factors of the state. In 1859 and i860, the company defaulted in the payment of the interest on 
its bonds. .\ foreclosure was made and a new company, called the " Milwaukee & Prairie du 
Chien," took its place, succeeding to all its rights and propertyi 

The "Southern Wisconsin Railway Company'" was chartered in 1852, and authorized to build 
a road from Milton to the Mississippi river. When the Milwaukee and Mississippi road reached 
Milton in 1852, it was not authorized by its charter to go to Janesville, but, under the charter of 
the Southern Wisconsin, a company was organized that built the eight miles to Janesville in 1853, 
Under a subsequent amendment to the charter, the Milwaukee and Mississippi company was 
authorized to build from Milton to the Mississippi river. The Janesville branch was then 
purchased and extended to Monroe, a distance of about thirty-four miles, or forty-two miles west 
of Milton. Surveys were made and a line located west of Monroe to the river. The people of 
La Fayette and Grant counties have often been encouraged to e.xpect a direct railroad communi- 
cation with the city of Milwaukee. Other and more important interests, at least so considered 
by the railroad company, have delayed the execution of the original plan, and the road through 
the counties mentioned still remains unbuilt. 

The " LaCrosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company " was chartered in 1852, to construct a road 
from LaCrosse to Milwaukee. During the year in which the charter was obtained, the company 
was organized, and the first meeting of the commissioners held at LaCrosse. .\mong its pro- 
jectors were Byron Kilbourn and Moses M. Strong. Kilbourn was elected its first president. 
No work was done upon this line until after its consolidation with the " Milwaukee, Fonddu Lac 
& Green Bay Railroad Company" in 1854. The latter company was chartered in 1853, to build a 
road from Milwaukee Ti'a West Bend to Fond du Lac and Green Bay. It organized in the spring of 
1853, and at once commenced active operations under the supervision of James Kneeland, its 
first president. The city of Milwaukee loaned its credit for $200,000, and gave city bonds. The 
company secured depot grounds in Milwaukee, and did considerable grading for the first twenty* 
five miles out. Becoming embarrassed in January, 1854, the Milwaukee, Fond du Lac & Green 
Bay consolidated with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee company. Work was at once resumed on 
the partially graded line. In 1855 the road was completed to Horicon, fifty miles. 



WISCOXSIN RAILROADS. 175 

The Milwaukee & AVatertown company was chartered in 1S51, to build from Milwaukee to 
Watertown. It soon organized, and began the construction of its line from Brookfield, fourteen 
miles west of Milwaukee, and a point on the Milwaukee & Mississippi road leading through 
Oconomowoc to Watertown. The charter contained a provision that the company might extend 
its road by way of Portage to La Crosse. It reached Watertown in 1856, and was consolidated 
with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee road in the autumn of the same year. 

In the spring of 1856 congress made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin, to aid in the 
building of a railroad from Madison, or Columbus, via Portage City, to the St. Croi.x river or 
lake, between townships 25 and 31. and from thence to the west end of Lake Superior, and to 
Bayfield. An adjourned session of the Wisconsin legislature met on September 3 of that year, 
to dispose of the grant. The disposal of this grant had been generally discussed by the press, 
and the public sentiment of the state seemed to tend toward its bestowal upon a new company. 
There is little doubt but that this was also the sentiment of a large majority of the members of 
both houses when the session commenced. When a new company was proposed a joint com- 
mittee of twenty from the senate and assembly was appointed to prepare a bill, conferring the 
grant upon a. company to be created by the bill itself. The work of the committee proceeded 
harmoniously until the question of who should be corporators was to be acted upon, when a 
difference of opinion was found to exist, and one that proved difficult to harmonize. In the mean- 
lime the LaCrosse and Watertown companies had consolidated, and a sufficient number of the 
members of both houses were "propitiated" by " pecuniary compliments" to induce them to 
pass the bill, conferring the so called St. Croix grant upon the LaCrosse & Milwaukee railroad 
company. The vote in the assembly in the passage of the bill was, ayes 62, noes 7. In the senate 
it stood, ayes 17, noes 7. 

At the session of the legislature of 1858 a committee was raised to investigate the matter, 
and their report demonstrated that bonds were set apart for all who voted for the LaCrosse bill; 
to members of assembly $5,000 each, and members of senate 310,000 each. A few months 
after the close of the legislative sesssion of 1856 the land grant bonds of the LaCrosse road 
became worthless. Neither the LaCrosse company nor its successors ever received any portion 
of the lands granted to the state. During the year 1857 the LaCrosse company completed its 
line of road through Portage City to LaCrosse, and its Watertown line to Columbus. 

The "Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad Company" was chartered in 1852. Between the 
years 1855 and 1857 it built through Waupun and Ripon to Berlin, a distance of forty-two miles. 
It was, in effect, controlled by the LaCrosse & Milwaukee company, although built as a separate 
branch. This line was subsequently merged in the LaCrosse company, and is now a part of the 
northern division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway. 

The '■ Madison, Fond du Lac & Lake Michigan Railroad Company" was chartered in 1855, 
to build a road fro!ii Madison via Fond du Lac to Lake Michigan. In 1857 it bought of the 
LaCrosse company that portion of its road acquired by consolidation with the Milwaukee & 
Watertown company. Its name was then changed to '" Milwaukee & Western Railroad Com- 
pany." It owned a line of road from Brookfield to Watertown, and branches from the latter 
jjlace to Columbus and Sun Prairie, in all about eighty miles in length. 

In 1858 and 1859 the La Crosse & Milwaukee and the Milwaukee & Horicon companies 
defaulted in the payment of the interest on their bonded debts. In the same years the bond- 
holders of the two companies instituted foreclosure proceedings on the different trust deeds given to 
secure their bonds. Other suits to enforce the payment of their floating debts were also com- 
menced. Protracted litigation in both the state and federal courts resulted in a final settlement 
in 1868, by a decision of the supreme court of the United States. In the meantime, in 1862 and 



17G HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

1863, both roads were sold, and purchased by an association of the bondholders, who organized 
the " Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company." The new company succeeded to all the rights 
of both the La Crosse and Horicon companies, and soon afterward, in 1863, purchased the 
'property of the Milwaukee & Western company, thus getting control of the roads from Mil- 
waukee to La Crosse, from Horicon to Berlin, from Brookfield to Watertown, and the branches 
to Columbus and Sun Prairie. In 1864 it built from Columbus to Portage, from Brookfield to 
Milwaukee, and subsequently extended the Sun Prairie branch to Madison, in 1869. It also 
purchased the Ripon & Wolf River road, which had been built fifteen miles in length, from 
Ripon to Omro, on the Fox river, and extended it to Winneconne on the Wolf river, five miles 
farther, and twenty miles from Ripon. In 1867 the Milwaukee oc St. Paul railway company 
obtained control of the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien railroad. The legislature of 1857 had 
passed an act, authorizing all stock-holders in all incorporated companies to vote on shares of 
stock owned by them. The directors of the Milwaukee & St. Paul company had secured a 
majority of the common stock, and, at the election of 1867, elected themselves a board of 
directors for the Prairie du Chien company. All the rights, property and interests of the 
latter company came under the ownership and control of the former. 

In 1865, Alexander Mitchell, of Milwaukee, was elected president, and S. S. Merrill general 
manager of the Milwaukee & St. Paul railway company. They were retained in their respective 
positions by the new organization, and still continue to hold these offices, a fact largely owing to 
the able and efficient manner that has characterized their management of the company's affairs. 
The company operates six hundred and eighty-six miles of road in Wisconsin, and in all one 
thousand four hundred miles. Its lines extend to St. Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota, and 
to Algona in Iowa, and over the Western Union to Savannah and Rock I^and in the state of 
Illinois. 

The"Oshkosh & Mississippi Railroad Company " was chartered in 1866 to ouild a road 
from the city of Oshkosh to the Mississippi river. Its construction to Ripon in 1872 was a 
move on the part of citizens of Oshkosh to connect their town with the Milwaukee & St. Paul 
road. It is twenty miles in length and leased to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company. 

In 1871 and 1872 the "Wisconsin Union Railroad Company," of which John W. Cary was 
president, built a road from Milwaukee to the state line between Wisconsin and Illinois, to 
connect with a road built from Chicago to the state line of Illinois. This new line between 
Milwaukee and Chicago was built in the interest of, and in fact by, the Milwaukee & St. Paul 
company to afford a connection between its Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota system of roads, 
and the eastern trunk lines centering in Chicago. It runs parallel with the shore of Lake- 
Michigan and from three to six miles from it, and is eighty-five miles in length. 

The Chicago cSi Northwestern Railway. 

The territorial legislature of iS^S chartered the " Madison & Beloit Railroad Cojnpany " 
with authority to build a railroad from Beloit to Madison only. In 1850, by an act of the 
legislature, the company was authorized to extend the road to the Wisconsin river and La Crosse, 
and to a point on the Mississippi river near St. Paul, and also from Janesville to Fond du Lac. 
Its name was changed, under legislative authority, to the " Rock River Valley Union Railroad 
Company." In 1851, the line from Janesville north not being pushed as the i)eople expected, 
the legislature of Illinois chartered the " Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad Company " with authority 
to consolidate with any road in Wisconsin. In 1855, an act of the Wisconsin legislature consoli- 
dated the Illinois and Wisconsin companies with the " Rock River Valley Union Railroad Com- 
panv," and the new organization took the name of the "Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Rail- 



WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 177 

road Company." In 1854, and previous to the consolidation, the company had failed and 
passed into the hands of the bondholders, who foreclosed and took stock for their bonds. The 
old management of A. Hyatt Smith and John B. Macy was superseded, and \Vm. B. Ogden was 
made president. Chicago was all along deeply interested in reaching the rich grain fields of the 
Rock river valley, as well as the inexhaustible timber and mineral wealth of the northern part 
of Wisconsin and that part of Michigan bordering on Lake Superior, called the Peninsula. It 
also sought a connection with the upper Mississippi region, then being rapidly peopled, by a line 
of railroad to run through Madison to St. Paul, in Minnesota. Its favorite road was started from 
Chicago on the wide (si.x feet) gauge, and so constructed seventy miles to Sharon on the Wis- 
consin state line. This was changed to the usual (four feet, eight and one-half inches) width, 
and the work was vigorously pushed, reaching Janesville in 1855 and Fond du Lac in 1858. The 
Rock River Valley Union railroad company had, however, built about thirty miles from Fond 
du Lac south toward Minnesota Junction before the consolidation took place. The partially 
graded line on a direct route between Janesville and Madison was abandoned. In 1852 a new 
charter had been obtained, and the " Beloit & Madison Railroad Company " had been organized 
to build a road from Beloit via Janesville to Madison. A subsequent amendment to this charter 
had left out Janesville as a point, and the Beloit branch was pushed through to Madison, reach- 
ing that city in 1864. 

The "Galena and Chicago Union Railroad Company" had built a branch of the Galena 
line from Belvedere to Beloit previous to 1854. In that year, it leased the Beloit & Madison 
road, and from 1856 operated it in connection with the Milwaukee & Mississippi, reaching Janes- 
ville by way of Hanover Junction, a station on its Southern Wisconsin branch, eight miles west 
of Janesville. The consolidation of the Galena & Chicago Union and the Chicago, St. Paul & 
Fond du Lac companies was effected and approved by legislative enactment in 1855, and a new 
organization called the "Chicago cSj Northwestern Railwav Company" took their place. 

The "Green Bay, Milwaukee & Chicago Railroad Company " was chartered in 1851 to build 
a road from Milwaukee to the state .line of Illinois to connect with a road from Chicago, called 
the Chicago & Milwaukee railroad. Both roads were completed in 1855, and run in connection 
until 1S63, when they were consolidated under the name of the "Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad 
Company." To prevent its falling into the hands of the Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago & 
Northwestern secured it by perpetual lease, May 2, 1866, and it is now operated as its Chicago 
division. 

The " Kenosha & Beloit Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1853 to build a road from 
Kenosha to Beloit, and was organized soon after its chartenwas obtained. Its name was after- 
ward changed to the " Kenosha, Rockford & Rock Island Railroad Company," and its route 
changed to run to Rockford instead of Beloit. The line starts at Kenosha, and runs through the 
county of Kenosha and crosses the state line near the village of Genoa in the county of Wal- 
worth, a distance of thirty miles in the state of Wisconsin, and there connects with a road in 
Illinois running to Rockford, and with which it consolidated. Kenosha and its citizens were the 
principal subscribers to its capital stock. The company issued its bonds, secured by the usual 
mortgage on its franchises and property. Failing to pay its interest, the mortgage was foreclosed, 
and the road was sold to the Chicago & Northwestern company in 1863, and is now operated by 
it as the Kenosha division. The line was constructed from Kenosha to Genoa in 1862. 

The "Northwestern Union Railway Company " was organized in 1872, under the general rail- 
road law of the state, to build a line of road from Milwaukee to Fond du Lac, with a branch to 
Lodi. The road was constructed during the years 1872 and 1873 from Milwaukee to Fond du 
I-ar. The Chicago & Northwestern company were principally interested in its being built, to 



178 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIN. 

shorten its line between Chicago and Green Bay, and now uses it as its main through line between 
the two points. 

The " Barahoo Air-Line Railroad Company" was incorporated in 1870, to build a road from 
Madison, Columbus, or Waterloo via Baraboo, to La Crosse, or any point on the Mississippi 
river. It organized in the interest of the Chicago & Northwestern, with which company it con- 
solidated, and the work of building a connecting line between JNLidison and Winona Junction 
was vigorously pushed forward. Lodi was reached in 1870, Baraboo in 187 1, and Winona Junc^ 
tion in 1874. The ridges between Elroy and Sparta were tunneled at great expense and with 
much difficulty. In 1874 the company reported an expenditure for its three tunnels of 
$476,743.32, and for the 129 i-io miles between Madison and Winona Junction of $5,342,169.96, 
and a large expenditure yet required to be made on it. In 1867 the Chicago & Northwestern 
company bought of D. N. Barney & Co. their interest in the Winona & St. Peters railway, a line 
being built westerly from Winona in Minnesota, and of which one hundred and five miles had 
been built. It also bought of the same parties their interest in the La Crosse, Trempealeau & 
Prescott railway, a line being built from Winona Junction, three miles east of La Crosse, to 
Winona, Minn. The latter line was put in operation in 1870, and is twenty-nine miles long. 
With the completion of its Madison branch to Winona junction, in 1873, it had in operation a 
line from Chicago, 'I'ia Madison and Winona, to Lake Kampeska, Minn., a distance of six hundred 
and twenty-three miles. 

In the year 1856 a valuable grant of land was made by congress to the state of Wisconsin 
to aid in the construction of railroads. The Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac company claimed 
that the grant was obtained through its efforts, and that of right it should have the northeastern 
grant, so-called. At the adjourned session of the legislature of 1856, a contest over the dispo- 
sition of the grant resulted in conferring it upon the " Wisconsin & Superior Railroad Company," 
a corporation chartered for the express purpose of giving it this grant. It was generally believed 
at the time that the new company was organized in the interest of the Chicago, St. Paul & 
Fond du Lac company, and at the subsequent session, in the following year, it was authorized to 
consolidate with the new company, which it did in the spring of that year, and thus obtained the 
grant of 3,840 acres per mile along its entire line, from Fond du Lac northerly to the state line 
between Wisconsin and Michigan. It extended its road to Oshkosh in 1859, to Appleton in 
i86i,and in 18O2 to Fort Howard, forming a line two hundred and forty-two miles long. The 
line from Fort Howard to Escanaba, one hundred and fourteen miles long, was opened in Decem- 
ber, 1872, and made a connection with the peninsular railroad of Michigan. It now became a part 
of the Chicago & Northwestern, extending from Escanaba to the iron mines, and thence to 
Lake Superior at Marquette. Albert Keep, of Chicago, is president, and Marvin Hughitt, a 
gentleman of great railroad experience, is general superintendent. The company operates five 
hundred and fifty-six miles of road in Wisconsin, and in all one thousand five hundred miles. 
Its lines extend into five different states. Over these lines its equipment is run in common, or 
transferred from place to place, as the changes in li-siness may temporarily require. 

Wisconsin Central R.mlroad. 

The " Milwaukee & Northern Railway Company" was incorporated in 1870, to build a road 
from Milwaukee to some point on the Fox river below Winnebago lake, and thence to Lake 
Superior, with branches. It completed its road to Menasha, one hundred and two miles from 
Milwaukee, with a branch from Hilbert to Green Bay, twenty-seven miles, in 1873, and in that 
vear leased its line to the " Wisconsin Central Railroad Company," which is still operating it. In 



WISCONSIN HAILROADS. 179 

1864 congress made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin to aid in the construction of a rail- 
road from Berlin, Doty's Island, Fond du Lac, or Portage, by way of Stevens Point, to Bayfield 
or Superior, granting the odd sections within ten miles on each side of the line, with an indem- 
nity limit of twenty miles on each side. The legislature of 1865 failed to dispose of this grant, 
but that of 1866 provided for the organization of two companies, one to build from Portage City 
by way of Berlin to Stevens Point, and the other from Menasha to the same point, and then 
jointly to Bayfield and Lake Superior. The former was called the "Winnebago and Lake Superior 
Railroad Company," and the latter the " Portage & Superior Railroad Company." In 1869 an act 
was passed consolidating the two companies, which was done under the name of the " Portage, 
Winnebago & Superior Railroad Company." In 1871 the name of the company was changed to 
the " Wisconsin Central Railroad Company." The Winnebago & Lake Superior company was 
organized under Hon. George Reed as president, and at once commenced the construction of its 
line of road between Menasha and Stevens Point. In 1871 the Wisconsin Central consolidated 
with the " Manitowoc & Mississippi Railroad Company." The articles of consolidation provided 
that Gardner Colby, a director of the latter company, should be president, and that George Reed, 
a director of the former, should be vice president of the new organization; with a further provision 
that Gardner Colby, George Reed, and Elijah B. Phillips should be and remain its executive 
committee. 

In 187 I, an act was passed incorporating the " Phillips and Colby Construction Company," 
which created E. B. Phillips, C. L. Colby, Henry Pratt, and such others as they might associate 
with them, a body corporate, with authority to build railroads and do all manner of things relat- 
ing to railroad construction and operation. Under this act the construction company contracted 
with the Wisconsin Central railroad company, to build its line of road from Menasha to Lake 
Superior. In November, 1873, the Wisconsin Central leased of the Milwaukee & Northern com- 
pany its line of road extending from Schwartzburg to Menasha, and the branch to Green Bay, for 
the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, and also acquired the rights of the latter com- 
pany to use the track of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company between Schwartzburg and 
Milwaukee, and to depot facilities in Milwaukee. The construction of the land grant portion 
of this important line of road was commenced in 187 1, and it was completed to Stevens Point in 
November of that year. It was built from Stevens Point north one hundred miles to Worcester 
in 1872. During 1872 and 1873, it was built from Ashland south to the Penoka iron ridge, a dis- 
tance of thirty miles. The straight line between Portage City and Stevens Point, authorized by 
an act of the legislature of 1875, was constructed between October i, 1875, and October, 1876, 
seven 'y-one miles in length. The gap of forty-two miles between Worcester and Penoka iron 
ridge was closed in June, 1877. E. B. Phillips, of Milwaukee, is president and general manager. 
This line of road passes through a section of our state hitherto unsettled. It has been pushed 
through with energy, and opened up for settlement an immense region of heavily timbered land, 
and thus contributed to the growth and prosperity of the state. 

The Western Union R.\ilroad. 

The " Racine, Janesville & Mississippi Railroad Company "' was chartered in 1852,10 build 
a road from Racine to Beloit, and was organized the same year. The city of Racine issued its 
bonds for $300,000 in payment for that amount of stock. The towns of Racine, Elkhorn, Dele- 
van and Beloit gave $190,000, and issued their bonds, and farmers along the line made liberal 
subscriptions and secured the same by mortgages on their farms. The road was built to Burling- 
ton in 1855, to Delavan early in 1856, and to Beloit, sixty-eight miles from Racine, during the 
same year. Failing to meet the interest on its bonds and its floating indebtedness, it was sur- 



180 HISTORY OF WISCONSIX. 

rendered by the company to the bond-holders in 1859, who completed it to Freeport during that 
year, and afterward built to the Mississippi river at Savannah, and thence to Rock Island. The 
bond-holders purchased and sold the road in 1866, and a new organization was had as the " West- 
ern Union Railroad Company," and it has sinee been operated under that name. In 1869, if 
built a line from Elkhorn to Eagle, seventeen miles, and thus made a connection with Milwau- 
kee over the Chicago, Milwaukee & .St. Paul line. The latter company owns a controlling 
interest it its line. Alexander Mitchell is the president of the company, and D. .A. Olin, 
general superintendent. 

West Wisconsin Railroad. 

The lands granted by congress in 1856 to aid in the construction of a railroad in Wisconsin, 
from Tomah to Superior and Bayfield, were disposed of as mentioned under the history of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company. The La Crosse company, as we have seen, prevailed in 
the legislature of 1856, and secured legislation favorable to its interests; but it failed to build the 
line of road provided for, and forfeited its right to lands granted. In 1863, the " Tomah & Lake 
St. Croix Railroad Company " was incorporated, with authority to construct a railroad from some 
point in the town of Tomah in Monroe county, to such point on Lake St. Croix, between town- 
ships 25 and 31 as the directors might determine. To the company, by the act creating it, was 
granted all the interest and estate of this state, to so much of the lands granted by the United 
States to the state of Wisconsin, known as the St. Croix grant, as lay between Tomah and Lake 
St. Croix. A few months after its organization, the company passed substantially into the hands 
of D. A. Baldwin and Jacob Humbird, who afterward built a line of road from Tomah, via Black 
River Falls, and Eau Claire to Hudson, on Lake St. Croix, one hundred and seventy-eight miles. 
Its name was afterward changed to the "West Wisconsin Railroad Company." In 1873, it built 
its road from Warren's Mills via Camp Douglass, on the St. Paul road to Elroy, and took up its 
track from the first-named place, twelve miles, to Tomah. A law-suit resulted, which went against 
the railroad company, and the matter was finally compromised by the payment of a sum of money 
by the company to the town of Tomah. The road was built through a new and sparsely settled 
country, and its earnings have not been sufficient to enrich its stock-holders. It connects at 
Camp Douglass with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, and at Elroy with the Chicago & 
Northwestern railway company's line, which gives the latter a through line to St. Paul. It is 
operated in connection with the Chicago & Northwestern railway, and managed in its interest. 
It is now in the hands of Wm. H. Ferry, of Chicago, as receiver ; H. H. Potter, of Chicago, as 
president'; and E. W. Winter, of Hudson, superintendent. 

The Milwaukee. Lake Shore & Western Railway. 

In 1870, the "Milwaukee, Manitowoc & Green Bay Railroad Company " was chartered to 
build a road from Milwaukee to Green Bay by way of Manitowoc. It built its line from Mil- 
waukee to Manitowoc in 1873, when its name was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & West- 
ern Railroad Company." Under a decree of foreclosure, it was sold Dec. 10, 1875, and its name 
was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway Company," by which name it is 
still known. 

In 1866, the " Appleton & New London Railroad Company " was incorporated to build a 
road from Appleton to New London, and thence to Lake Superior. A subsequent amendment 
to its charter authorized it to extend its road to Manitowoc. It built most of the line from 
Appleton to that city, and then, under legislative authority, sold this extension to the Milwau-. 



WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 181 

kee, Lake Shore & Western railroad company. The last-named company extended it to New 
London, on the Wolf river, twenty-one miles, in 1876, where it connects with the Green Bay & 
Minnesota road. It now operates one hundred and forty-six miles of road, extending from Mil- 
waukee to New London, passing through Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Appleton, which includes 
a branch line six miles in length from Manitowoc to Two Rivers. F. W. Rhinelander, of New 
York, is its president, and H. G. H. Reed, of Milwaukee, superintendent. 

The Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad. 

The line of road operated by this company extends from Fort Howard to the Mississippi 
river, opposite Winona, Minnesota. It is two hundred and sixteen miles in length, and was 
built through a sparsely settled and heavily timbered section of the state. It began under most 
discouraging circumstances, yet was pushed through by the energy of a few men at Green Bay 
and along its line. It was originally chartered in 1866 as the "Green Bay & Lake Pepin Rail- 
road Company " to build a road from the mouth of the Fox river near Green Bay to the Missis- 
sip])i river opposite Winona. But little was done except the making of preliminary surveys in 
1870. During 1870 and 1871, forty miles were constructed and put in operation. In 1872, one 
hundred and fourteen miles were graded, the track laid, and the river reached, sixty-two miles 
farther, in 1873. In 1876, it acquired the right to use the "Winona cut-off " between Winona 
and Onalaska, and built a line from the latter point to La Crosse, seven miles, thus connecting its 
road with the chief city of Wisconsin on the Mississippi river. The city of La Crosse aided this 
extension by subscribing $75,000 and giving its corporation bonds for that amount. Henry 
Ketchum, of New London, is president of the company, and D. M. Kelly, of Green Bay, gen- 
eral manager. 

Wisconsin Valley Road. 

The "Wisconsin Valley Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1871 to build a road from 
a point on or near the line of the Milwaukee & La Crosse railroad, between Kilbourn City and 
the tunnel in said road to the village of Wausau, in the county of Marathon, and the road to pass 
not more than one mile west of the village of Grand Rapids, in the county of Wood. The road 
was commenced at Tomah, and graded to Centralia in 1872, and opened to that village in 1873, 
and during 1874 it was completed to Wausau, ninety miles in its whole length. Boston capitalists 
furnished the money, and it is controlled in the interest of the Dubuque & Minnesota railroad, 
through which the equipment was procured. The lumber regions of the Wisconsin river find an 
outlet over it, and its junction with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road at Tomah enables 
a connection with the railroads of Iowa and Minnesota. It gives the people of Marathon county 
an outlet long needed for a large lumber traffic, and also enables them to receive their goods and 
supplies of various kinds for the lumbering region tributary to Wausau. James F. Joy, of 
Detroit, is president, and F. O. Wyatt, superintendent. 

Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad. 

The " Sheboygan & Mississippi Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1852, to build a 
road from Sheboygan to the Mississippi river. It was completed from Sheboygan to Plymouth 
in 1858, to Glenbeulah in i860, to Fond du Lac in 1868, and to Princeton in 1872. The extension 
from Fond du Lac to Princeton was built under authority of an act passed in 1871. 

Under a foreclosure in 1861 the line from Sheboygan to Fonddu Lac was sold, and the name 
of the company changed to "Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad Company." Tlje length of 



182 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

the line is seventy-eight miles, and it passes through a fertile agricultural country. The city of 
Sheboygan, county, city and town of Fond du Lac, and the towns of Riverdale, Ripon, Brooklyn, 
Princeton, and St. Marie, aided in its building to an amount exceeding $250,000. D. L. A\'ells 
is president, and Geo. P. Lee, superindendent. 

The Minf.ral Point Railroad. 

The "Mineral Point Railroad Company " was chartered in 1852,10 build a road from Mineral 
Point, in the county of Iowa, to the state line, in township number one, in either the county of 
Green or La Fayette. It was completed to Warren, in the state of Illinois, thirty-two miles, in 

1855, making a connection at that point with the Illinois Central, running from Chicago to Galena. 
Iowa county loaned its credit and issued its bonds to aid in its construction. It was sold under 
foreclosure in 1856. Suits were brought against Iowa county to collect the amount of its bonds, 
and judgment obtained in the federal courts. Much litigation has been had, and ill feeling 
engendered, the supervisors of the county having been arrested for contempt of the decree of 
the court. Geo. W. Cobb, of Mineral Point, is the general manager. 

The Dubuque, Platteville & Milwaukee railroad was completed in July, 1870, and extends 
from Calamine, a point on the Mineral Point railroad, to the village of Platteville, eighteen miles, 
and is operated by the Mineral Point railroad company 

Madison & Portage Railroad. 

The legislature of 1855 chartered the " Sugar River Valley Railroad Company " to build a road 
from a point on the north side of the line of the Southern Wisconsin road, within the limits of 
Green county, to Dayton, on the Sugar river. In 1857 it was authorized to build south to the state 
line, and make its northern terminus at Madison. In 1S61 it was authorized to build from Madi- 
son to Portage City, and from Columbus to Portage City, and so much of the land grant act of 

1856, as related to the building of the road from Madison, and from Columbus to Portage City, 
was annulled and repealed, and the rights and privileges that were conferred upon the LaCrossc 
company were given to the Sugar River Valley railroad company, and the j)ortion of the land 
grant, applicable to the lines mentioned, was conferred upon the last named company. Under 
this legislation about twenty miles of the line between Madison and Portage were graded, and 
the right of way secured for about thirty of the thirty-nine miles. The La Crosse comjiany had 
done considerable grading before its right was annulled. In 1866 the company was relieved 
from constructing the road from Columbus to Portage City. In 1870 the purchasers of that part 
of the Sugar River Valley railroad lying between Madison and Portage City were incorporated 
as the " Madison & Portage Railroad Company," and to share all the rights, grants, etc., that 
were conferred upon the Sugar River railroad company by its charter, and amendments thereto, 
so far as related to that portion of the line. 

Previous to this time, in 1864 and 1865, judgments had been obtained against the Sugar 
River Valley company ; and its right of way, grading and depot grounds sold for a small sum. 
James Campbell, who had been a contractor with the Sugar River Valley company, with other>. 
became the purchasers, and organized under the act of 1870, and, during the year 187 1, com- 
pleted it between Madison and Portage City, and in March, 1871, leased it to the Milwaukee & 
St. Paul company, and it is still operated by that corporation. In 1871 the Madison & Portage 
company was authorized to extend its road south to the Illinois state line, and north from 
Portage City to Lake Winnebago. The same year it was consolidated with the " Rockford Central 



WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 183 

Railroad Company," of Illinois, and its name changed to the "Chicago &: Superior Railroad 

Company," but still retains its own organization. The Madison & Portage railroad company 

claims a share in the lands granted by acts of congress in 1856, and have commenced proceed- 
ings to assert its claim, which case is still pending in the federal courts. 

North Wtsconsin Railroad. 

The "North Wisconsin Railroad Company" was incorporated in 1869, to build a road from 
I^ake St. Croix, or river, to Bayfield on Lake Superior. The grant of land by congress in 1856, to 
aid in building a road from Lake St. Croix to Bayfield on Lake Superior, under the decision of 
the federal court, was yet at the disposal of the state. This company, in 187 1, built a short 
section of its line of road, with the expectation of receiving the grant. In 1873, the grant was 
conferred upon the Milwaukee & St. Paul company, but under the terms and restrictions con- 
tained in the act, it declined to accept it. The legislature of 1874 gave it to the North Wiscon- 
sin company, and it has built forty miles of its road, and received the lands pertaining thereto. 
Since 1876, it has not completed any part of its line, but is trying to construct twenty miles 
during the present year. The company is authorized to construct a road both to Superior and 
to Bayfield, but the act granting the lands confers that portion from Superior to the intersection 
of the line to Bayfield upon the Chicago & North Pacific air-line railroad. This last-named 
company have projected a line from Chicago to the west end of Lake Superior, and are the 
owners of an old grade made through Walworth and Jefferson counties, by a company chartered 
in 1853 as the " Wisconsin Central," to build a road from Portage City to Geneva, in the county 
of Walworth. The latter company had also graded its line between Geneva and the state line 
of Illinois. This grade was afterward appropriated by the Chicago & Northwestern, and over it 
they now operate their line from C^lhicago to Geneva. 

Prairie du Chien & McGregor Railroad. 

This is a line two miles in length, connecting Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin, with McGregor 
in Iowa. It is owned and operated by John Lawler, of the latter-named place. It extends across 
both channels of the Mississippi river, and an intervening island. The railroad bridge consists 
of substantia! piling, except a pontoon draw across each navigable channel. Each pontoon is four 
hundred feet long and thirty feet wide, provided vvith suitable machinery and operated by steam 
power. Mr. Lawler has secured a patent on his invention of the pontoon draw for railroad 
bridges. His line was put in operation in April, 1874. 

The Chippewa Falls & Western Railroad. 

This road was built in 1874, by a company organized under the general law of the state. It 
is eleven miles in length, and connects the " Falls " with the West Wisconsin line at Eau Claire. 
It was constructed by the energetic business men and capitalists of Chippewa Falls, to afford an 
outlet for the great lumber and other interests of that thriving and prosperous city. The road 
is substantially built, and the track laid with steel rails. 

Narrow Gauge Railroads. 

The " Galena & Southern Wisconsin Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1857. Under 
its charter, a number of capitalists of the city of Galena, in the state of Illinois, commenced 



184 HISTORY OF WISCONSIX. 

the construction of a narrow (three feet) gauge road, running from that city to Platteville, thirty- 
one miles in length, twenty miles in Wisconsin. It runs through a part of La Fayette county to 
Platteville, in Grant county, and was completed to the latter point in 1875. Surveys are being 
made for an extension to Wingville, in Grant county. 

The "Fond da Lac, Aniboy & Peoria Railway Company " was organized under the general 
law of the state, in 1S74, to build a narrow gauge road from the city of Fond du Lac to the south 
line of the state in the county of Walworth or Rock, and it declared its intention to consolidate 
with a company in Illinois that had projected a line of railroad from Peoria, in Illinois, to the south 
line of the state of Wisconsin. The road is constructed and in operation from Fond du Lac to 
Iron Ridge, a jxjint on the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, twenty-nine miles from Fond 
du Lac. 

The "Pine River & Steven's Point Railroad Company" was organized by the enterprising 
citizens of Richland Center, and has built a narrow gauge road from Lone Rock, a point on the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, in Richland county, to Richland Center, sixteen miles in 
length. Its track is laid with wooden rails, and it is operated successfully. 

The " Chicago & Tomah Railroad Company '' organized under the general railroad law of 
the state, in 1872,10 construct a narrow gauge road from Chicago, in Illinois, to the city of 
Tomah, in Wisconsin. Its president and active manager is D. R. Williams, of Clermont, Iowa, 
and its secretary is L. M. Culver, of Wauzeka. It has graded about forty-five miles, extending 
from Wauzeka up the valley of the Kickapoo river, in Crawford county, Wisconsin. It expects 
to have fifty-four miles in operation, to Bloomingdale, in Vernon county, the present year (1877). 
The rolling stock is guaranteed, and the president is negotiating for the purchase of the iron. 
South of Wauzeka the line is located to Belmont, in Iowa county. At Wauzeka it will connect 
with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line. 

The publij-spirited citizens of Necedah, in Juneau county, have organized under the general 
law of the state, and graded a road-bed from their village to New Lisbon, on the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul company's line. The latter company furnish and lay the iron, and will 
operate the road. It is thirteen miles in length. 

Conclusion. 

The railroads of Wisconsin have grown up under the requirements of the several localities 
that have planned and commenced their construction, and without regard to any general 
system. Frequently the work of construction was begun before adequate means were provided, 
and bankruptcy overtook the roads in their early stages. The consolidation of the various 
companies, as in the cases of ths Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago & Northwestern, 
and others, has been effected to give through lines and the public greater facilities, as well as to 
introduce economy in management. At times the people have become apprehensive, and by legisla- 
tive action prohibited railroads from consolidating, and have sought to control and break down 
the power of these corporations and to harmonize the interests of the companies and the 
public. The act of 1874, called the "Potter law," was the assertion, by the legislative power of 
the state, of its right to control corporations created by itself, and limit the rates at which freight 
and passengers should be carried. After a long and expensive contest, carried through the state 
and federal courts, this right has been established, being finally settled by the decision of the 
supreme court of the United States. 

Quite all the railroads of Wisconsin have been built with foreign capital. The plan pursued 
after an organization was effected, wa? to obtain stock subscriptions from those immediately 



LI'MBER MANUFACTURE. 185 

interested in the enterprise, procure the aid of counties and municipalities, and then allure the 
farmers, with the prospect of joint ownership in railroads, to subscribe for stock and mortgage 
their farms to secure the payment of their subscriptions. Then the whole line was bonded and 
a mortgage executed. The bonds and mortgages thus obtained, were taken to the money 
centers of New York. London, Amsterdam and other places, and sold, or hypothecated to 
obtain the money with which to prosecute the work. The bonds and mortgages were made to 
draw a high rate of interast, and the earnings of these new roads, through unsettled localities, 
were insufficient to pay more than running and incidental expenses, and frequently fell short of 
that. Default occurring in the payment of interest, the mortgages were foreclosed and the 
property passed into the hands and under the control of foreign capitalists. Such has b«en the 
history of most of the railroads of our state. The total number of farm mortgages given has 
been 3,785, amounting to $4,079,433 ; town, county and municipal bonds, amounting to 
§6,910,652. The total cost of all the railroads in the state, as given by the railroad commissioner 
in his report for 1876. lias been $98,343,453.67. This vast sum is, no doubt, greatly in excess of 
what the cost should have been, but the roads have proved of immense benefit in the develop- 
ment of the material resources of the state. 

Other lines are needed through sections not yet traversed by the iron steed, and present 
lines should be extended by branch roads. The questions upoa which great issues were raised 
between the railway corporations and the people, are now happily settled by securing to the latter 
their rights; and the former, under the wise and conciliatory policy pursued by their managers, 
are assured of the sa-fety of their investments. An era of good feeling has succeeded one of 
distrust and antagonism. The people must use the railroads, and the railroads depend upon the 
people for sustenance and protection. This mutuality of interest, when fully recognized on both 
sides, will result in giving to capital a fair return and to labor its just reward. 



LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 

Bv W. B. JUDSON. 

Foremost among the industries of Wisconsin is that of manufacturing lumber. Very much 
of the importance to which the state has attained is due to the development of its forest wealth. 
In America, agriculture always has been, and always will be, the primary and most important 
interest; but no nation can subsist upon agriculture alone. While the broad prairies of Illinois 
and Iowa are rich with a fertile and productive soil, the hills and valleys of northern Wisconsin 
are clothed with a wealth of timber that has given birth to a great manufacturing interest, which 
employs millions of capital and thousands of men, and has peopled the northern wilds with 
energetic, prosperous communities, built up enterprising cities, and crossed the state with a net- 
work of railways which furnish outlets for its productions and inlets for the new populations 
which are ever seeking for homes and employment nearer to the setting sun. 

If a line be drawn upon the state map, from Green Bay westward through Stevens Point, 
to where it would naturally strike the Mississippi river, it will be below the southern boundary of 
the pine timber regions, with the single exception of the district drained by the Yellow river, a 
tributary of the Wisconsin, drawing its timber chiefly from Wood and Juneau counties. The 
territory north of this imaginary line covers an area a little greater than one half of the state. 
The pine timbered land is found in belts or ridges, interspersed with prairie openings, patches 
r>f hardwood and hemlock, and drained by numerous water-courses. No less than seven large 



186 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

rivers traverse this northern section, and, with their numerous tributaries. ]ienetrate every county, 
affording facilities for floating the logs to the mills, and, in many instances, the power to cut them 
into lumber. This does not include the St. Croix, which forms the greater portion of the 
boundary line between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and, by means of its tributaries, draws the most 
and best of its pine from the former state. These streams divide the territory, as far as lumbering 
is concerned, into six separate arid distinct districts : The Green bay shore, which includes the 
Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, the Peshtigo and Oconto rivers, with a number of creeks 
which flow into the bay between the mouths of the Oconto and Fox rivers; the Wolf river 
district; the ^Visconsin river, including the Yellow, as before mentioned ; the Black river; the 
Chippewa and Red Cedar ; and the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix. 

Beginning with the oldest of these, the Green bay shore, a brief description of each will be 
attempted. The first saw-mill built in the state, of which there is now any knowledge, was put in 
operation in 1809, in Brown county, two or three miles east from Depere, on a little stream which 
was known as East river. It was built by Jacob Franks, but probably was a very small affair. 
Of its machinery or capacity for sawing, no history has been recorded, and it is not within the 
memory of any inhabitant of to-day. In 1829, John P. Arndt, of Green Bay, built a water- 
power mill on the Pensaukee river at a point where the town of Big Suamico now stands. In 
1834, a mill was built on the Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, and, two years later, one at 
Peshtigo. Lumber was first shipped to market from this district in 1834, which must be termed 
the beginning of lumbering operations on the bay shore. The lands drained by the streams 
which flow into Green bay are located in Shawano and Oconto counties, the latter being the 
largest in the state. In 1847, Willard Lamb, of Green Bay, made the first sawed pine shingles in 
that district ; they were sold to the Galena railroad company for use on depot buildings, and 
were the first of the kind sold in Chicago. Subsequently Green Bay became one of the greatest 
points for the manufacture of such shingles in the world. The shores of the bay are low, and 
gradually change from marsh to swamp, then to level dry land, and finally become broken and 
mountainous to the northward. The pine is in dense groves that crowd closely upon the swamps 
skirting the bay, and reach far back among the hills of the interior. The Peshtigo flows into the 
bay about ten miles south of the Menomonee, and takes its rise far back in Oconto county, near 
to the latter's southern tributaries. It is counted a good logging stream, its annual product 
being from 40,000,000 to 60,000,000 feet. The timber is of a rather coarse quality, running but 
a small percentage to what the lumbermen term "uppers." .\bout ten per cent, is what is 
known as Norway pine. Of the whole amount of timber tributary to the Peshtigo, probably 
about one third has been cut off to this date. The remainder will not average of as good quality, 
and only a limited portion of the land is of any value for agricultural purposes after being cleared 
of the pine. There are only two mills on this stream, both being owned by one company. The 
Oconto is one of the most important streams in the district. The first saw-mill was built 
OP its banks about the year 1840, though the first lumbering operations of any account were 
begun in 1845 by David Jones. The business was conducted quite moderately until 1856, 
in which year several mills were built, and from that date Oconto has been known as quite 
an extensive lumber manufacturing i)oint. The timber tributary to this stream has been of 
the best quality found in the state. Lumber cut from it has been known to yield the 
extraordinarily high average of fifty and sixty per cent, uppers. The timber now being cut 
will not average more than half that. The proportion of Norway is about five per cent. It is 
estimated that from three fourths to four fifths of the timber tributary to the Oconto has been 
cut away, but it will require a much longer time to convert the balance into lumber than was 
necessary to cut its equivalent in amount, owing to its remote location. The annual production 



LUMBEK MAXIFACTURE. 18T 

cif pine lumber at Oconto is from 50,000,000 to 65,000,000 feet. 'Ihe whole production of the 
district, exclusive of the timber which is put into the Menomonee from Wisconsin, is about 
140,000,000 feet annually. 

The Wolf river and its tributaries constitute the next district, proceeding westward. The 
first saw logs cut on this stream for commercial purposes were floated to the government mill at 
Neenah in 1835. In 1842, Samuel Farnsworth erected the first saw-mill on the upper Wolf 
near the location of the present village of Shawano, and in the following spring he sent the first 
raft of lumber down the Wolf to Oshkosh. This river also rises in Oconto county, but flows in 
a southerly direction, and enters Winnebago lake at Oshkosh. Its pineries have been very exten- 
sive, but the drain upon them within the past decade has told with greater effect than upon any 
other district in the state. The quality of the timber is very fine, and the land is considered good 
for agricultural purposes, and is being occupied upon the lines of the different railways which 
cross it. The upper waters of the Wolf are rapid, and have a comparatively steady flow, which 
renders it a very good stream for driving logs. Upon the upper river, the land is quite rolling, 
and about the head-waters is almost mountainous. The pine timber that remains in this dis^ 
trict is high up on the main river and branches, and will last but a few years longer. A few years 
ago the annual product amounted to upward of 250,000,000 feet; in 1876 it was 138,000,000. 
The principal manufacturing points are Oshkosh and Fond du Lac ; the former has 21 mills, and 
tlie latter 10. 

Next comes the Wisconsin, the longest and most crooked river in the state. It rises in the 
extreme northern sections, and its general course is southerly until, at Portage City, it makes a 
grand sweep to the westward and unites with the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. It has numer- 
ous tributaries, and, together with these, drains a larger area of country than any other river in 
the state. Its waters flow swiftly and over numerous rapids and embryo falls, which renders log- 
driving and raft-running very difficult and even hazardous. The timber is generally near the 
banks of the main stream and its tributaries, gradually diminishing in extent as it recedes from 
them and giving place to the several varieties of hard-woods. The extent to which operations 
have been carried on necessitates going further up the stream for available timber, although there 
is yet what may be termed an abundant supply. The first cutting of lumber on this stream, of 
which there is any record, was by government soldiers, in 1828, at the building of Fort Winne- 
bago. In 1 83 1, a mill was built at Whitney's rapids, below Point Bass, in what was then Indian 
territory. By 1840, mills were in operation as high up as Big Bull falls, and Wausau had a 
population of 350 souls. Up to 1876, the product of the upper Wisconsin was all sent in rafts 
to markets on the Mississippi. The river above Point Bass is a series of rapids and eddies ; the 
current flows at the rate of from 10 to 20 miles an hour, and it can well be imagined that the 
task of piloting a raft from Wausau to the dells was no slight one. The cost of that kind of 
transportation in the early times was actually equal to the present market price of the lumber. 
With a good stage of water, the length of time required to run a raft to St. Louis was 24 days, 
though quite frequently, owing to inability to get out of the Wisconsin on one rise of water, sev- 
eral weeks were consumed. The amount of lumber manufactured annually on this river is from 
140,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet. 

Black river is much shorter and smaller than the Wisconsin, but has long been known as a 
very important lumbering stream. It is next to the oldest lumber district in the state. The 
first saw-mill west of Green Bay was built at Black River Falls in 1819 by Col. John Shaw. 
The Winnebago tril)e of Indians, liowever, in whose territory he was, objected to the innovation 
of such a fine art, and unceremoniously offered up the mill upon the altar of their outraged 



188 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

solitude. The owner abruptly quitted that pirtion of the country. In 1839 another attempt 
to establish a mill on Black river was more successfully made. One was erected at the same 
point by two brothers by the name of Wood, the millwright being Jacob Spaulding, who | 
eventually became its possessor. His son, Mr. Dudley J. Spaulding, is now a very extensive 
operator upon Black, river. La Crosse is the chief manufacturing point, there being ten saw-mills 
located there. The annual production of the stream ranges from 150,000,000 to 225,000,000 feet 
of logs, less than 100,000,000 feet being manufactured into lumber on its banks. The balance 
is sold in the log to mills on the Mississippi. It is a very capricious river to float logs in, which 
necessitates the carrying over from year to year of a very large amount, variously estimated at 
from 150,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet, about equal to an entire season's product. This makes the 
business more hazardous than on many other streams, as the loss from depreciation is very great 
after the first year. The quality of the timljer is fine, and good prices are realized for it when 
sold within a year after being cut. 

The Chippewa district probably contains the largest and finest body of white pine timber 
now standing, tributary to any one stream, on the continent. It has been claimed, though with 
more extravagance than truth, that the Chippewa pineries hold one-half the timber supply of 
the state. The river itself is a large one, and has many tributaries, which penetrate the rich 
pine district in all directions. The character of the tributary country is not unlike that through 
which the Wisconsin flows. In 1828 the first mill was built in the Chippewa valley, on Wilson'-^ 
creek, near its confluence with the Red Cedar. Its site is now occupied by the village of Meno- 
monee. In 1837 another was built on what is the present site of the Union Lumbering Company'-; 
mill at Chippewa Falls. It was not until near 1865 that the Chippewa became very prominent as a 
lumber-making stream. Since that date it has been counted as one of the foremost in the north- 
west. Upon the river proper there are twenty-two saw-mills, none having a capacity of less than 
3.500,000 feet per season, and a number being capable of sawing from 20,000,000 to 25,000,000 
The annual ]iroduction of sawed lumber is from 250,000,00c to 300,000,000 feet; the production 
of logs from 400,000,000 to 500,000,000 feet. In 1867 the mill-owners upon the Mississippi, 
between 'Winona and Keokuk, organized a corporation known as the Beef Slough Manufactur- 
ing, Log-Driving and Transportation Company. Its object was to facilitate the handling of logs 
cut upon the Chippewa and its tributaries, designed for the Mississippi mills. At the confluence 
of the two rivers various improvements were made, constituting the Beef Slough boom, which is 
capable of assorting 200,000,000 feet of logs per season. The Chippewa is the most difficult 
stream in the northwest upon which to operate. In the spring season it is turbulent and 
ungovernable, and in summer, almost destitute of water. About its head are numerous lakes 
which easily overflow under the influence of rain, and as their surplus water flows into the 
Chippewa, its rises are sudden and sometimes damaging in their extent. The river in many 
places flows between high bluff's, and, under the influence of a freshet, becomes a wild and 
unmanageable torrent. Logs have never been floated in rafts, as upon other streams, but are 
turned in loose, and are carried down with each successive rise, in a jumbled and confused mass, 
which entails much labor and loss in the work of assorting and delivering to the respective 
owners. Previous to the organization of the Eagle Rapids Flooding Dam and Boom Company, 
in 1872, the work of securing the stock after putting it into the river was more difficult than to 
cut and haul it. At the cities of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, where most of the mills are 
located, the current, under the influence of high water, is very rapid, and for years the problem 
was, how to stop and retain the logs, as they would go by in great masses and with almost resist- 
less velocity. In 1847 is recorded one of the most sudden and disastrous floods in the history 
of log-running streams. In the month of June the Chippewa rose twelve feet in a single night. 



LT'MBER MAXI'FACTURE. 189 

•and, in the disastrous torrent that was created, piers, booms, or " pockets " for holding logs at the 
mills, together with a fine new mill, were swept away, and the country below where Eau Claire 
now stands was covered with drift-wood, saw-logs, and other debris. Such occurrences led to 
the invention of the since famous sheer boom, which is a device placed in the river opposite 
the mill boom into which it is desired to turn the logs. The sheer boom is thrown diagonally 
■across the river, automatically, the action of the current upon a number of ingeniously arranged 
■"fins " holding it in position. By this means the logs are sheered into the receptacle until it is 
filled, when the sheer boom, by closing up the " fins'' with a windlass, falls back and allows the 
logs to go on for the next mill to stop and capture its pocket full in like manner. By this 
method each mill could obtain a stock, but a great difficulty was experienced from the fact that 
the supply was composed of logs cut and owned by everybody operating on the river, and the 
process of balancing accounts according to the " marks," at the close of the season, has been 
■one prolific of trouble and legal entanglements. The building of improvements at Eagle 
Rapids by the company above mentioned remedied the difficulty to some extent, but the process 
•of logging will always be a difficult and hazardous enterprise until adequate means for holding 
and assorting the entire log product are provided. Upon the Yellow and Eau Cfeire rivers, two 
important branches of the Chippewa, such difficulties are avoided by suitable improvements. 
The entire lumber product of the Chippewa, with the exception of that consumed locally, is 
floated in rafts to markets upon the Mississippi, between its mouth and St. Louis. The quality 
•of the timber is good, and commands the best market price in the sections where it seeks 
market. 

West of the Chippewa district the streams and timber are tributary to the St. Croix, and in 
all statistical calculations the entire product of that river is credited to Minfiesota, the same as 
that of the Menomonee is given to Michigan, when in fact about one half of each belongs to 
Wisconsin. The important branches of the St. Croix belonging in this state are the Apple 
Clani, Yellow, Namekogan, Totagatic and Eau Claire. The sections of country through which 
they flow contain large bodies of very fine pine timber. The St. Croix has long been noted for 
the excellence of its dimension timber. Of this stock a portion is cut into lumber at Stillwater, 
and marketed by rail, and the balance is sold in the log to mills on the ^lississippi. 

Such is a brief and somewhat crude description of the main lumbering districts of the state. 
Aside from these, quite extensive operations are conducted upon various railway lines which 
penetrate the forests which are remote from log-running streams. In almost every county in 
the state, mills of greater or less capacity may be found cutting up pine or hard-woods into 
lumber, shingles, or cooperage stock. Most important, in a lumbering point of view, of all the 
railroads, is the Wisconsin Central. It extends from Milwaukee to Ashland, on Lake Superior, 
a distance of 351 miles, with a line to Green Bay, 113 miles, and one from Stevens Point to 
Portage, 7 1 miles, making a total length of road, of 449 miles. It has only been completed to 
.•Vshland within the present season. From Milwaukee to Stevens Point it passes around to the 
■east and north of Lake Winnebago, through an excellent hard-wood section. There are many 
stave mills in operation upon and tributary to its line, together with wooden-ware establishments 
and various manufactories requiring either hard or soft timber as raw material. From Stevens 
Point northward, this road passes through and has tributary to it one of the finest bodies of tim- 
ber in the state. It crosses the upper waters of Black river and the Flambeau, one of the main 
tributaries of the Chippewa. From 30,000,000 to 50,000,000 feet of lumber is annually manu- 
factured on its line, above Stevens Point. The Wisconsin Valley railroad extends from Tomah 
to Wausau, and was built to afford an outlet, by rail, for the lumber produced at the latter point. 

The extent of the timber supply in this state has been a matter of much speculation, and 



190 



HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 



is a subject upon which but little can be definitely said. Pine trees can not be counted c 
measured until reduced to saw-logs or lumber. It is certain that for twenty )ears th 
forests of Wisconsin have yielded large amounts of valuable timber, and no fears ai 
entertained by holders of pine lands that the present generation of owners will witne; 
an exhaustion of their supply. In some sections it is estimated that the destruction I 
the standing timber by fires, which periodically sweep over large sections, is greater iha 
by the axes of the loggers. The necessity for a state system of forestry, for the protection ( 
the forests from fires, has been urged by many, and with excellent reason ; for no natural resourc 
of the state is of more value and importance than its wealth of timber. According to an est 
mate recently made by a good authority, and which received the sanction of many intereste 
parties, there was standing in the state in 1876, an amount of pine timber approximatin 
35,000,000,000 feet. 

The annual production of lumber in the districts herein described, and from logs floated 0( 
of the state to mills on the Mississippi, is about 1,200,000,000 feet. The following table giv« 
the mill capacity per season, and the lumber and shingles manufactured in 1876 : 



Green Bay Shore 

Wolf River - . 

Wisconsin Central Railroad _-. 

Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad 

Wisconsis River 

Black River... — 

Chippewa River. 

Mississippi River — using Wisconsin logs. . 



Total . 



SEASON 
CAPACITY. 



2O6,0OO,C0O 

258,50u,ooo 
72, 500 000 
34,500,000 
222,000,000 
101,000,000 
311,000,000 
5og,oco.oco 



1,714,500.000 



LUMBER 

MANUFACTURED 

IN 1876. 



138,250,000 

138,645,077 

31,530.000 

17,700,000 

139,700,000 

70.852.747 

255,866,999 

380,067,000 



1,172,611,823 



SHINGLES 

MANUFACTURED 

IN 1876. 



85,400,000 
123,192,000 
132.700,000 

10,700,000 
106,250,000 

37,675,000 

79,250.000 
206,977,000 



782,144,000 



If to the above is added the production of mills outside of the main districts and lines of rai 
way herein described, the amount of pine lumber annually produced from Wisconsin forests woul 
reach 1,500,000,000 feet. Of the hard-wood production no authentic information is obtainabh 
To cut the logs and place them upon the banks of the streams, ready for floating to the mill: 
requires the labor of about 18,000 men. Allowing that, upon an average, each man has a famil 
of two persons besides himself, dependent upon his labor for support, it would be apparent tha 
the first step in the work of manufacturing lumber gives employment and support to 54,00 
persons. To convert 1,000,000 feet of logs into lumber, requires the consumption of 1,20 
bushels of oats, 9 barrels of pork and beef, 10 tons of hay, 40 barrels of flour, and the use of 
pairs of horses. Thus the fitting out of the logging companies each fall makes a market fo 
1,800,000 bushels of oats, 13,500 barrels of pork and beef, 15,000 tons of hay, and 60,000 barrel 
of flour. Before the lumber is sent to market, fully $6,000,000 is expended for the labo 
employed in producing it. This industry, aside from furnishing the farmer of the west with th 
cheapest and best of materials for constructing his buildings, also furnishes a very importan 
market for the products of his farm. 

The ([uestion of the exhaustion of the pine timber supply has met with much discussioi 
during the past few years, and, so far as the forests of Wisconsin are concerned, deserves a brie 
notice. The great source of supply of white pine timber in the country is that portion of t\v 
northwest between the shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the Mississippi, comprising thi 



LUMBER MANTTFACTURE. 191 

rthern portions of the states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. For a quarter of a 
Ttury these fields have been worked by lumbermen, the amount of the yearly production 
ving increased annually until it reached the enormous figure of 4,000,000,000 feet. With all 
this tremendous drain upon the forests, there can be pointed out but one or two sections that 
; actually exhausted. There are, however, two or three where the end can be seen and the 
te almost foretold. The pineries of Wisconsin have been drawn upon for a less period and 
s amount than those of Michigan, and, it is generally conceded, will outlast them at the present 
jportionate rate of cutting. There are many owners of pine timber lands who laugh at the 
aspect of e.xhausting their timber, within their lifetime. As time brings them nearer to the end, 
; labor of procuring the logs, by reason of the distance of the timber from the water-courses. 
I increase, and the work will progress more slowly. 

In the future of this industry there is much promise. AVisconsin is the natural source of 
jply for a very large territory. The populous jirairies of Illinois and Iowa are near-by and 
failing markets. The broad plains of Kansas and the rich valleys of Nebraska, which are still in 
: cradle of development, will make great drafts upon her forests for the material to construct cities 
which the first corner-stone is yet unlaid. Minnesota, notwithstanding the fact that large 
ests exist within her own confines, is even now no mean customer for Wisconsin lumber, and 
; ambitious territory of Dakota will soon clamor for material to build up a great and wealthy 
te. In the inevitable progress of development and growth which must characterize the great 
st, the demand for pine lumber for building material will be a prominent feature. With the 
)wth of time, changes will occur in the methods of reducing the forests. With the increasing 
aiand and enhancing values will come improvements in manipulating the raw material, and a 
icter economy will be preserved in the handling of a commodity which the passage of time 
ly makes more valuable. Wisconsin will become the home of manufactories, which will 
ivert her trees into finished articles of daily consumption, giving employment to thousands of 
isans where it now requires hundreds, and bringing back millions of revenue where is now 
ilized thousands. Like all other commodities, lumber becomes more valuable as skilled labor 
smployed in its manipulation, and the greater the extent to which this is carried, the greater is 
; growth in prosperity, of the state and its ]ieople. 



BANKING IN WISCONSIN. 

Bv JOHN V. McGregor. 

Wisconsin was organized as a territory in 1836, and the same year several acts were passed 
the territorial legislature, incorporating banks of issue. Of these, one at Green Bay and 
other at Mineral Point went into operation just in time to play their part in the great panic 
1837. The bank at Green Bay soon failed and left its bills unredeemed. The bank at 
ineral Point is said to have struggled a little longer, but both these concerns were short lived, 
d their issues were but a drop in the great flood of worthless wild-cat bank notes that spread 
er the whole western country in that disastrous time. The sufferings of the people of Wis- 
nsin, from this cause, left a vivid impression on their minds, which manifested its results in the 
pslation of the territory and in the constitution of the state adopted in 1848. So jealous were 
e legislatures of the territory, of banks and all their works, that, in every act of incorporatior 
■ any jMirno^^e, a clause wa/, inserted to the effect that nothing in the act contained should bu 



192 HISTORY OF AVISCOXSIX. 

taken to authorize the corporation to assume or exercise any banking powers; and this proviso 
was even added to acts incorporating church societies. For some years there can hardly be said 
to have been ay banking business done in the territory ; merchants and business men were left 
to their own devices to make their exchanges, and every man was his own banker. 

In the year [839 an act was passed incorporating the " Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance 
Company," of Milwaukee. This charter conferred on the corporation, in addition to the usual 
powers of a fire and marine insurance company, the privilege of receiving deposits, issuing certifi. 
c,it-:s 0/ deposit and lending money, — and wound up with the usual prohibition from doing a 
banking business. This company commenced business at once under the management of George 
Smith as president and Alexander Mitchell as secretary. The receiving deposits, issuing certifi- 
cates of deposit and lending money, soon outgrew and overshadowed the insurance branch of the 
institution, which accordingly gradually dried up. In fact, the certificates of deposit had all the 
appearance of ordinary bank notes, and served tbe purposes of an excellent currency, being 
always promptly redeemed in coin on demand. Gradually these issues attained a great 
circulation all through the west, as the people gained more and more confidence in the honesty 
and ability of the managers ; and though " runs " were several times made, yet being successfully 
met, the public finally settled down into the belief that these bills were good beyond cjuestion, so 
that the amount in circulation at one time, is said, on good authority, to have been over 
$2,000,000. 

As the general government required specie to be paid for all lands bought of it, the Wis- 
consin Marine and Fire Insurance company, by redemption of its " certificates of deposit," 
furnished a large part of the coin needed for use at the Milwaukee land office, and more or less. 
for purchases at land offices in other parts of the state, and its issues were of course much in 
request for this purpose. For many years this institution furnished the main banking facilities 
for the business men of the territory and young state, in the way of discounts and exchanges. 
Its right to carry on the operations it was engaged in, under its somewhat dubious and incon- 
sistent charter, was often questioned, and, in 1852, under the administration of Governor Farwell, 
some steps were taken to test the matter ; but as the general banking law had then been passed 
by t!ie leuislature, and was about to be submitted to the people, and as it was understood that the 
comi any vould organize as a bank under the law, if approved, the legal proceedings were not 
pressed. While this corporation played so important a part in the financial history and commer- 
cial development of Wisconsin, the writer is not aware of any available statistics as to the 
amount of business transacted by it before it became merged in the "Wisconsin Marine and 
Fire Insurance Company's Bank." 

In 1847, the foundation of the present well-known firm of Marshall & Ilsley was laid by 
Samuel Marshall, who, in that year, opened a private banking office in Milwaukee, and was joined 
in 1849 by Charles F. Ilsley. This concern has always held a prominent position among the 
banking institutions of our state. About this time, at Mineral Point, Washburn & Woodman 
(C. C. Washburn and Cyrus Woodman) engaged in private banking, as a part of their business. 
After some years they were succeeded by Wm. T. Henry, who still continues the banking office. 
.\mong the early private bankers of the state were Mr. Kellogg, of Oshkosh ; Ulmann and Bell, of 
Racine ; and T. C. Shove, of Manitowoc. The latter still continues his business, while that of 
the other firms has 1 een wound up or merged in organized banks. 

In 1848, Wisconsin adopted a state constitution. This constitution prohibited the legislature 
from incorporating banks and from conferring banking powers on any corporation; but provided 
the question of " banks or no banks " might be submitted to a vote of the electors, and, if the 
decision should be in favor of banks, then the legislature might charter banks or might enact a 



BAXKIKG IX AVISCOXSIN. 193 

general banking law, but no s\ich special charter or general banking law should have any force 
until submitted to the electors at a general election, and approved by a majority of votes cast on 
that subject. In 185 i, the legislature submitted this question to the people, and a majority of 
the votes were cast in favor of " banks." Accordingly the legislature, in 1852, made a general 
banking law, which was submitted to the electors in November of that year, and was approved 
by them. This law was very similar to the free banking law of the state of New York, which 
had then been in force about fifteen years, and was generally approved in that state. Our law 
authorized any number of individuals to form a corporate association for banking purposes, and 
its main provisions were intended to provide security for the circulating notes, by deposit of state 
and United States stocks or bonds with the state treasurer, so that the bill holders should sustain 
no loss in case of the failure of the banks. Provision was made for a bank comptroller, whose 
main duty it was to see that countersigned circulating notes were issued to banks only in proper 
amounts for the securities deposited, and upon compliance with the law, and that the banks kept 
these securities good. 

The first bank comptroller was James S. Baker, who was appointed by Governor Farwell. 

The first banks organized under the new law were the " State Bank," established at Madi- 
son by Marshall & Ilsley, and the "Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank," 
established at Milwaukee under the old management of that company. These banks both went 
intooperation early in January, 1S53, and, later in that year, the " State Bank of Wisconsin " (now 
Milwaukee National Bank of Wisconsin), and the " Farmers' and Millers' Bank " (now First 
National Bank of Milwaukee), were established, followed in January, 1854, by the "Bank of Mil- 
waukee " (now National Exchange Bank of Milwaukee). From this time forward banks were 
rapidly established at different points through the state, until in July, 1857, they numbered sixty 
— with aggregate capital, $4,205,000; deposits, $3,920,238; and circulation, $2,231,829. In 
October, the great revulsion and panic of 1857 came on, and in its course and effects tried pretty 
severely the new banks in Wisconsin. Some of them succumbed to the pressure, but most of 
them stood the trial well. 

The great source of loss and weakness at that time was found in the rapid decline of the 
market value of the securities deposited to protect circulation, which were mostly state bonds, 
and largely those of the southern states; so that this security, when it came to be tried, did not 
prove entirely sufficient. .Another fault of the system, or of the practice under it, was developed 
at this time. It was found that many of the banks had been set up without actual working capi- 
tal, merely for the purpose of issuing circulating notes, and were located at distant and inaccessible 
points in what was then the great northern wilderness of the state ; so that it was expensive and 
in f.ict impracticable to present their issues for redemption. While these evils and their rem- 
edies were a good deal discussed among bankers, the losses and inconveniences to the people 
were not yet great enough to lead to the adoption of thorough and complete measures of reform. 
The effect of these difficulties, however, was to bring the bankers of the state into the habit of 
consulting and acting together in cases of emergency, the first bankers' convention having been 
held in 1857. This was followed by others from time to time, and it would be difficult to over- 
value the great good that has resulted, at several important crises from the har.i onious and con- 
servative action of the bankers of our state. Partly, at least, upon their recommendations the 
legislature, in 1858, adopted amendments to the banking law, providing that no bank should be 
located in a township containing less than two hundred inhabitants ; and that the comptroller 
should not issue circulating notes, except to banks doing a regular discount deposit and e.vchange 
business in some inhabited town, village, city, or where the ordinary business of inhabited towns, 
villages and cities was carried on. These amendments were approved by the people at the fall 



194 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

election of tliat year. 

Banking matters now ran along pretty smoothly until the election in i860, of the republican 
presidential ticket, and the consequent agitation in the southern states threatening civil war, the 
effects of which were speedily felt; first, in the great depreciation of the bonds of the southern 
states, and then in a less decline in those of the northern states. At this time (taking the state- 
ment of July, i860,) the number of banks was 104, with aggregate capital, $6,547,000; circula- 
tion, $4,075,918; deposits, $3,230,252. ^ 

During the winter followini^, there was a great deal of uneasiness in regard to our state cur- 
rency, and CO .tinuous demand upon our banks for the redemption of their circulating notes in 
coin. Many banks of the wild-cat sort failed to redeem their notes, which became depreciated 
and uncurrent; and, when the rebellion came to a head by the firing on Fort Sumter, the banking 
interests of the state were threatened with destruction by compulsory winding up and enforced 
sale at the panic prices then prevailing, of the sec-urities deposited to secure circulation. Under 
these circumstances, on the 17 th of April, 1861, the legislature passed " an act to protect the 
holders of the circulating notes of the authorized banks of the state of Wisconsin." As the 
banking law could not be amended except by approval of the electors, by vote at a general 
election, a practical suspension of specie payment had to be effected by indirect methods. So 
this act first directed the bank comptroller to suspend all action toward banks for failing to 
redeem their circulation. Secondly, it prohibited notaries public from protesting bills of banks 
until Dec i, 1861. Thirdly, it gave banks until that date to answer complaints in any proceed- 
ing to compel specie payment of circulating notes. This same legislature also amended the 
banking law, to cure defects that had been developed in it. These amendments were intended 
to facilitate the presentation and protest ef circulating notes, and the winding up of l)ank^ 
failing to redeem them, and provided that the bank comptroller should not issue circulating notc> 
except to banks having actual cash capital ; on which point he was to take evidence in all cases ; 
that after Dec. i, 1861, all banks of the state should redeem their issues either at Madison or 
Milwaukee, and no bonds or stocks should be received as security for circulation e.xcept those nf 
the United States and of the state of Wisconsin. 

Specie payment of bank bills was then practically suspended, in our state, from April 17 to 
December i, 1861, and there was no longer any plain practical test for determining which were 
good, and which not. In this condition of things, bankers met in convention, and, after discus- 
sion and inquiry as to the condition and resources of the different banks, put forth a list of those 
whose issues were to be considered current and bankable. But things grew worse, and it was 
evident that the list contained banks that would never be able to redeem their circulation, and 
the issues of such were from time to time thrown out and discredited without any concert of 
action, so that the uneasiness of people in regard to the financial situation was greatly increased. 
The bankers finally met, gave the banks another sifting, and put forth a list of seventy banks, 
whose circulating notes they pledged themselves to receive, and pay out as current, until Decem- 
ber I. There had been so many changes that this pledge was thought necessary to allay the 
apprehensions of the public. But matters still grew worse instead of better. Some of the 
banks in the "current " list closed their doors to their depositors, and others were evidently 
unsound, and their circulation so insufficiently secured as to make it certain that it would never 
be redeemed. There was more or less sorting of the currency, both by banks and business men, 
all over the state, in the endeavor to keep the best and pay out the poorest. In this state of 
things, some of the Milwaukee banks, without concert of action, and acting under the apprehen- 
sion of being loaded up with the very worst of the currency, which, it was feared, the country 
banks and mercbants were sorting out and sending to Milwaukee, revised the list again, and 



BANKING IN WISCONSIN. 195 

threw out ten of tlie seventy banks whose issues it had been agreed should be received as 
current. Other banks and bankers were compelled to take the same course to protect them- 
selves. The consequence was a great disturbance of the public mind, and violent charges of 
bad faith on the part of the banks, which culminated in the bank riots of June 24, 1861. On 
that day, a crowd of several hundred disorderly people, starting out most probably only with the 
idea of making some sort of demonstration of their dissatisfaction with the action of the banks 
and bankers and with the failure to keep faith with the public, marched through the streets with 
a band of music, and brought up at the corner of Michigan and East Water streets. 

The banks had just sufficient notice of these proceedings to enable them to lock up their 
money and valuables in their vaults, before the storm broke upon them. The mob halted at the 
place above mentioned, and for a time contented themselves with hooting, and showed no dispo- 
sition to proceed to violence; but, after a little while, a stone was thrown through the windows 
of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank, situated at one corner of the 
above streets, and volleys of stones soon followed, not only against that bank, but also against 
the State Bank of Wisconsin, situated on the opposite corner. The windows of both these 
institutions and of the offices in the basements under them were effectually demolished- 
The mob then made a rus-h into these banks and offices, and completely gutted them, offering 
more or less violence to the inmates, though no person was seriously hurt. The broken furni- 
ture of the offices under the State Bank of Wisconsin was piled up, and the torch was applied 
by some of the rioters, while others were busy in endeavoring to break into the safes of the offices 
and the vaults of the banks. The debris of the furniture in the office of the Wisconsin Marine 
and Fire Insurance (Company's Bank, was also set on fire, and it was plain that if the mob was 
not immediately checked, the city would be given up to conflagration and pillage — the worst 
elements, as is always the case with mobs, having assumed the leadership. Just at that juncture, 
the Milwaukee zouaves, a small military company, appeared on the scene, and with the help of 
the firemen who had been called out, the mob was put to flight, and the incipient fire was extin- 
guished. 

The damage so far done was not great in amount, and the danger for the moment was over; 
but the situation was still grave, as the city was full of threats, disturbance and apprehension. 
By the prompt action of the authorities, a number of companies of volunteers were brought from 
different places in the state, order was preserved, and, after muttering for three or four days, the 
storm died away. The effect of that disturbance and alarm was, however, to bring home to the 
bankers and business men the conviction that effectual measures must be taken to settle our 
state currency matters on a sound and permanent basis, and that the issues of all banks that 
could not be put in shape to meet specie payment in December, must be retired from circulation 
and be got out of the way. A meeting of the bankers was held; also of the merchants' association 
of Milwaukee, and arrangeinents were made to raise $100,000, by these two bodies, to be used in 
assisting weak and crippled banks in securing or retiring their circulation. The bankers 
appointed a committee to take the matter in charge. 

It happened that just at this time Governor Randall and State Treasurer Hastings returned 
from New York City, where they had been making unsuccessful efforts to dispose of $800,000 of 
Wisconsin war bonds, which had been issued to raise funds to fit out Wisconsin volunteers. 

Our state had never had any bonds on the eastern market. For other reasons, our 
credit was not high in New York, and it had been found impossible to dispose of these bonds for 
over sixty cents on the dollar. The state officers conferred with the bankers to see what could 
be done at home ; and it was finally arranged that the bankers' committee should undertake to 
get the state banks to dispose of their southern and other depreciated state bonds on deposit to 



196 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

secure circulation, for what they would bring in coin, in New York, and replace these bonds witii 
those of our own state, .which were to be taken by our banks nominally at par — seventy percent, 
being paid in cash, and the different banks purchasing bonds, giving their individual obligation 
for the thirty per cent, balance, to be paid in semi-annual installments, with an agreement that the 
state should deduct these installments from the interest so long as these bonds should remain o.i 
deposit with the state. By the terms of the law, sixty per cent, of the proceeds of the bonds had to 
be paid in coin. The bankers' committee went to work, and with some labor and difficulty 
induced most of the banks to sell their southern securities at the existing low prices in New 
York, and thus produce the coin required to pay for our state bonds. From the funds provided 
by the merchants and bankers, they assisted many of the weaker banks to make good their 
securities with the banking department of the state. By the 19th of July, six of the ten rejected 
banks that had been the occasion of the riot, were made good, and restored to the list. The 
other four were wound up, and their issues redeemed at par, and, before the last of August, the 
value of the securities of all the banks on the current list were brought up to their circulation, 
as shown by the comptroller's report. 

Wisconsin currency at the time of the bank riot was at a discount of about 15 per cent., as 
compared with gold or New York exchange. At the middle of July the discount was 10 to 12 
per cent., and early in August it fell to 5 per cent. The bankers' committee continued their 
work in preparation for the resumption of specie payment on December i. While the securities 
for the bank circulation had been made good, it was, nevertheless, evident that many of the 
banks on the current list would not be equal to the continued redemption of their bills in specie, 
and that they would have to be wound up and got out of the way in season. Authority was got 
from such institutions, as fast as possible, for the bankers' committee to retire their circulation 
and sell their securities. The Milwaukee banks and bankers took upon tliemselves the great 
burden of this business, having arranged among themselves to sort out and withhold from cir^ 
culation the bills of these banks, — distributing the load among themselves in certain defined 
proportions. Instead of paying out these doubted bills, the different banks brought to the bank- 
ers' committee such amounts as they accumulated from time to time, and received from the 
committee certificates of deposit bearing seven per cent, interest, and these bills were locked up 
by the committee until the securities for these notes could be sold and the proceeds realized. 
Over $400,000 of this sort of paper was locked up by the committee at one time ; but it was all 
converted into cash, and, when the first of December came, the remaining banks of this state 
were ready to redeem their issues in gold or its equivalent, and so continued to redeem until the 
issue of the legal-tender notes and the general suspension of specie payment in the United 
States. 

In July, 1861, the number of our banks was 107, wth capital, $4,607,000; circulation, 
$2,317,907 ; deposits, $3,265,069. 

By the contraction incident to the preparations for redemption in specie, the amount of cur- 
rent Wisconsin bank notes outstanding December i, 1861, was reduced to about $1,500,000. 
When that day came, there was quite a disposition manifested to convert Wisconsin currency 
into coin, and a sharp financial pinch was felt for a few days ; but as the public became satisfied 
that the banks were prepared to meet the demand, the call for redemption rapidly fell off, and 
the banks soon began to expand their circulation, which was now current and in good demand 
all through the northwestern states. The amount saved to all the interests of our state, by this 
successful effort to save our banking system from destruction, is beyond computation. From 
this time our banks ran along quietly until prohibitory taxation by act of congress drove the bills 
of state banks out of circulation. 



BANKING IN WISCONSIN. 197 

The national banking law was passed in 1S63, and a few banks were soon organized under 
it in different parts of the country. The first in Wisconsin was formed by the re-org.inizatioii of 
the Farmers' and Millers' Bank, in August, 1S63, as the First National Bank of MilvvaukeCt, 
with Edward D. Holton as president, and H. H. Camp, cashier. The growth of the new system, 
however, was not very rapid; the state banks were slow to avail themselves of the privilages o£ 
the national banking act, and the central authorities concluded to compel them to come in; sa 
facilities were offered for their re-organization as national banks, and then a ta.x of ten per ceat, 
was laid upon the issues of the state banks. T'r.is tax was imposed by act of March, 1865, and 
at once caused a commotion in our state. In July, 1864, the number of Wisconsin state hanks 
was si.\ty-si.x, with capital §3,147,000, circulation $2,461,728, deposits $5,483,205, and these 
figures were probably not very different in the spring of 1865. The securities for the circulating 
notes were in great part the bonds of our own state, which, while known by our own people to 
be good beyond question, had never been on the general markets of the country so as to be cur- 
rently known there; and it was feared that in the hurried retirement of our circulation these 
bonds would be sacrificed, the currency depreciated, and great loss brought upon our banks and 
people. There was some excitement, and a general call for the redemption of our state ciicula- 
tion, but the banks mostly met the run well, and our people were disposed to stand by our own 
state bonds. 

In .\pril, 1861, the legislature passed laws, calling in the mortgage loans of the school fund, 
and directing its investment in these securities. The state treasurer was required to recei« 
Wisconsin bank notes, not only for taxes and debts due the state, but also on deposit, and tn 
issue certificates for such deposits bearing seven per cent, interest. By these and like means. 
the threatened panic was stopped; and in the course of a few months Wisconsin state currencj 
was nearly all withdrawn from circulation. In July, 1865, the number of state banks wai 
twenty-six, with capital $1,087,000, circulation $192,323, deposits $2,284,210. Under tb« 
pressure put on by congress, the organization of national banks, and especially the re-organiza- 
tion of state banks, under the national system, was proceeding rapidly, and in a short time nearlj 
every town in our own state of much size or importance was provided with one or more of these 
institutions. 

In the great panic of 1S73, all the Wisconsin banks, both state and national (in common 
with those of the whole country), were severely tried; but the failures were few and uiiimjxjr- 
tant ; and \Visconsin went through that ordeal with less loss and disturbance than aimost any 
other state. 

We have seen that the history of banking in Wisconsin covers a stormy period, in wlucla 
great disturbances and panics have occurred at intervals of a few years. It is to be hoped that 
a more peaceful epoch will succeed, but permanent quiet and prosperity can not rationally be 
expected in the present unsettled condition of our currency, nor until we have gone thnsugh the 
temporary stringency incidental to the resumption of specie payment. 

According to the last report of the comptroller of the currency, the number of national 
banks in Wisconsin in November, 1876, was forty, with capital $3,400,000, deiwsits ^7,145,360^ 
circulation $2,072,869. 

At this time (July. 1S77) the number of state banks is twenty-si.x, with capital $1,288,231^ 
deposits $6,662,973. Their circulation is, of course, merely nominal, though there is no legaj 
obstacle to their issuing circulating notes, except the tax imposed by congress. 



COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 

By Hon. H. H. C.II.ES. 

The material philosophy of a people has to do with the practical and useful. It sees in 
iron, coal, cotton, wool, grain and the trees of the forest, the elements of personal comfort and 
sources of material greatness, and is applied to their development, production and fabrication for 
purposes of exchange, interchange and sale. The early immigrants to Wisconsin territory found 
a land teeming with unsurpassed natural advantages; prairies, timber, water and minerals, invit- 
ing the farmer, miner and lumberman, to come and build houses, furnaces, mills and factories. 
The first settlers were a food-producing people. The prairies and openings were ready for the 
plow. The ease with which farms were brought under cultivation, readily enabled the pioneer 
to supply the food necessary for himself and family, while a surplus was often produced in a few 
months. The hardships so often encountered in the settlement of a new country, where forests 
must be felled and stumps removed to prepare the soil for tillage, were scarcely known, or greatly 
mitigated. 

During the decade from 1835 to 1845, so great were the demands for the products of the 
soil, created by the tide of emigration, that the settlers found a home market for all their surplus 
products, and so easily were crops grown that, within a very brief time after the first emigration, 
but little was required from abroad. The commerce of the country was carried on by the 
exchange of products. The settlers (they could scarcely be called farmers) would exchange 
their wheat, corn, oats and pork for the goods, wares and fabrics of the village merchant. It 
was an age of barter ; but they looked at the capabilities of the land they had come to possess, 
and, with firm faith, saw bright promises of better days in the building up of a great state. 

It is not designed to trace with minuteness the history of Wisconsin through the growth of 
its commercial and manufacturing interests. To do it justice would require a volume. The 
aim of this article will be to present a concise view of its present status. Allusion will only be 
incidentally made to stages of growth and progress by which it has been reached. 

Few states in the Union possess within their borders so many, and in such abundance, 
elements that contribute to the material prosperity of a people. Its soil of unsurpassed 
fertility ; its inexhaustible mines of lead, copper, zinc and iron ; its almost boundless forests ; 
its water-powers, suflScient to drive the machinery of the world ; its long lines of lake shore on 
two sides, and the " Father of waters " on another, — need but enterprise, energj' and capital to 
utilize them in building an empire of wealth, where the hum of varied^industries shall be heard 
in the music of the sickle, the loom and the anvil. 

The growth of manufacturing industries was slow during the first twenty-five years of our 
history. The early settlers were poor. Frequently the land they tilled was pledged to obtain 
means to pay for it. Capitalists obtained from twenty to thirty per cent, per annum for the use 
of their money. Indeed, it was the rule, under the free-trade ideas of the money-lenders for 
them to play the Shy lock. While investments in bonds and mortgages were so profitable, few 
were ready to improve the natural advantages the country presented for building factories and 
work-shops. 



COMMERCE AND MAXT'FACTURES. 199 

For many years, quite all the implements used in farming were brought from outside the 
state. While this is the case at present to some extent with the more cumbersome farm 
machinery, quite a proportion of that and most of the simpler and lighter implements are made 
at home, while much farm machinery is now manufactured for export to other states. 

Furs. 

The northwest was visited and explored by French voyageurs and missionaries from Canada 
at an early day. The object of the former was trading and gain. The Jesuits, ever zealous in 
the propagation of their religion, went forth into the unknown wilderness to convert the natives 
to their faith. As early as 1624, they were operating about Lake Huron and Mackinaw. Father 
Menard, it is related, was with the Indians on Lake Superior as early as 1661. The early 
explorers were of two classes, and were stimulated by two widely different motives — the voyag- 
eurs^ by the love of gain, and the missionaries, by their zeal in the propagation of their faith. 
Previous to 1679, a considerable trade in furs had sprung up with Indian tribes in the vicinity of 
Mackinaw and the northern part of " Ouisconsin." In that year more than two hundred canoes, 
laden with furs, passed Mackinaw, bound for Montreal. The whole commerce of this vast region 
then traversed, was carried on with birch-bark canoes. The French used them in traversing 
wilds — otherwise inaccessible by reason of floods of water at one season, and ice and snow at 
another — also lakes and morasses which interrupted land journeys, and rapids and cataracts 
that cut off communication by water This little vessel enabled them to overcome all difficulties. 
Being buoyant, it rode the waves, although heavily freighted, and, of light draft, it permitted the 
traversing of small streams. Its weight was so light that it could be easily carried from one 
stream to another, and around rapids and other obstructions. With this little vessel, the fur 
trade of the northwest was carried on, as well as the interior of a vast continent explored. 
Under the stimulus of commercial enterprise, the French traders penetrated the recesses ot the 
immense forests whose streams were the home of the beaver, the otter and the mink, and in 
whose depths were found the martin, saljle, ermine, and other fur-bearing animals. .\ vast trade 
in furs sprung up, and was carried on by different agents, under authority of the French 
government. 

When the military possession of the northwestern domain passed from the government of 
France to that of Great Britain in 1760, the relationship of the fur trade to the government 
changed. The government of France had controlled the traffic, and made it a means of strength- 
ening its hold upon the country it possessed. The policy of Great Britain was, to charter 
companies, and grant them exclusive privileges. The Hudson bay company had grown rich and 
powerful between 1670 and 1760. Its success had excited the cupidity of capitalists, and rival 
organizations were formed. The business of the company had been done at their trading-stations 
— the natives bringing in their furs for exchange and barter. Other companies sent their 
voyageurs into every nook and corner to traffic with the trappers, and even to catch the fur-bear- 
ing animals themselves. In the progress of time, private parties engaged in trapping and dealing 
in furs, and, under the competition created, the business became less profitable. In 1815. 
congress passed an act prohibiting foreigners from dealing in furs in the United States, or any 
of its territories. This action was obtained through the influence of John Jacob Astor. Mr. 
Astor organized the .\merican fur company in 1809, and afterward, in connection with the North- 
west company, bought out the Mackinaw company, and the two were merged in the Southwest 
company. The association was suspended by the war of 1812. The American re-entered the 
field in 1816. The fur trade is still an important branch of traffic in the northern part of the 
state, and, during eight months of the year, employs a large number of men. 



200 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



Lead and Zinc. 

In 1824, the lead ore in the southwestern part of Wisconsin began to attract attention. 
From 1826 to 1830, there was a great rush of miners to this region, somewhat like the Pike's 
Peak excitement at a later date. The lead-producing region of Wisconsin covers an area of 
about 2,200 square miles, and embraces parts of Grant, Iowa and La Fayette counties. Between 
1829 and 1839, the production of lead increased from 5,000 to 10,000 tons. After the latter 
year it rose rapidly, and attained its ma.ximum in 1845, when it reached nearly 25,000 tons. 
Since that time the production has decreased, although still carried on to a considerable e.\tent. 

The sulphate and carbonate of zinc abound in great quantities with the lead of southwest 
Wisconsin. Owing to the difficulty of working this class of ores, it was formerly allowed to 
iccumulate about the mouths of the mines. Within a few years past, metallurgic processes 
have been so greatly improved, that the zinc ores have been largely utilized. At La Salle, in the 
state of Illinois, there are three establishments for smelting zinc ores. There is also one at Peru, 
ni. To smelt zinc ores economically, they are taken where cheap fuel is available. Hence, the 
focation of these works in the vicinity of coal mines. The works mentioned made in 1875, 
from ores mostly taken from Wisconsin, 7.510 tons of zinc. These metals are, therefore, impor- 
tant elements in the commerce of Wisconsin. 



Iron. 

The iron ores of \\'isconsin occur in immense beds in several localities, and are destined to 
prove of great value. From their product in 1S63, there were 3,735 tons of pig iron received at 
Milwaukee; in 1865, 4,785 tons; in 1868, 10,890 tons. Of the latter amount, 4,648 tons were 
from the iron mines at Mayville. There were shipped from Milwaukee, in 1868, 6,361 tons of 
{Mg iron. There were also received 2,500 tons of ore from the Dodge county ore beds. During 
1869, the ore beds at Iron Ridge were developed to a considerable extent, and two large blast 
furnaces constructed in Milwaukee, at which place there were 4,695 tons of ore received, and 
2,059 tons were shipped to Chicago and ^Vyandotte. In 1870, 112,060 tons of iron ore were 
received at Milwaukee, 95,000 tons of which were from Iron Ridge, and 17,060 tons from Esca- 
naba and Marquette, in Michigan. The total product of the mines at Iron Ridge in 187 1 was 
82,284 tons. The Milwaukee iron company received by lake, in the same year, 28,094 tons of 
Marquette iron ore to mix with the former in making railroad iron. In 1872, there were receivea 
fiom Iron Ridge 85,245 tons of ore, and 5,620 tons of pig iron. Much of the metal made by the 
Wisconsin iron company in 1872 was shipped to St. Louis, to mix with the iron made from 
Missouri ore. 

The following table shows the production of pig iron in Wisconsin, for 1872, 1873 and 1874, 
tn tons : 



Furnaces. 


1872. 


1873. 


1874. 


Milwaukee Iron Company, Milwaukee. 

Minerva Furnace Company, Milwaukee 

Wisconsin Iron Company, Iron Ridge 

Northwestern Iron Company, Mayville 

Appleton Iron Company, Appleton 


21,818 

3.350 
5.033 
4.888 
6,910 
3,420 
5,600 
1.780 


29,326 
5.822 
4.155 
4.137 
8.044 
6,141 

7.999 
6,832 
1,528 


33.000 

3.306 
3.000 
6.500 
6,000 
6,500 
7.000 
1,300 


Green Bay Iron Company, Green Bay 

National Iron Company, Depere - . . 

Fox River Iron Company, W. Depere.. 

Ironton Furnace, Sauk county 




52.797 


73.980 


66,600 



COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 201 

The Milwaukee iron company, during the year 1872, entered into the manufacture of mer- 
chant iron — it having been demonstrated that the raw material could be reduced there cheaper 
than elsewhere. The Minerva furnace company built also during the same year one of the 
most compact and complete iron furnaces to be found any where in the country. During the 
year 1873, the iron, with most other material interests, became seriously prostrated, so that the 
total receipts of ore in Milwaukee in 1874 amounted to only 31,993 tons, against 69,418 in 1873, 
and 85,245 tons in 1872. There were made in Milwaukee in 1874, 29,680 tons of railroad iron. 
In 1875, 58,868 tons of ore were received at Milwaukee, showing a revival of the trade in an 
increase of 19,786 tons over the previous year. The operation of the works at Bay View having 
suspended, the receipts of ore in 1876, at Milwaukee, were less than during any year since 1869, 
being only 31,119 tons, of which amount only 5,488 tons were from Iron Ridge, and the total 
shipments were only 498 tons. 

Lumber. 

The business of lumbering holds an important rank in the commerce of the state. For 
many years the ceaseless hum of the saw and the stroke of the ax have been heard in all our 
great forests. The northern portion of the state is characterized by evergreen trees, principally 
pine; the southern, by hard-woods. There are exceptional localities, but this is a correct state- 
ment of the general distribution. I think that, geologically speaking, the evergreens belong to 
the primitive and sandstone regions, and the hard wood to the limestone and clay formations. 
Northern Wisconsin, so called, embraces that portion of the state north of forty-five degrees, 
and possesses nearly all the valuable pine forests. The most thoroughly developed portion of 
this region is that lying along the streams entering into Green bay and Lake Michigan, and border- 
ing on the Wisconsin river and other streams entering into the Mississippi. Most of the pine in 
the immediate vicinity of these streams has been cut off well toward their sources ; still, there 
are vast tracts covered with dense forests, not accessible from streams suitable for log-driving 
purposes. The building of railroads into these forests will alone give a market value to a large 
portion of the pine timber there growing. It is well, perhaps, that this is so, for at the present 
rate of consumption, but a few years will elapse before these noble forests will be totally destroyed. 
Most of the lumber manufactured on the rivers was formerly taken to a market by being floated 
down the streams in rafts. Now, the railroads are transporting large quantities, taking it directly 
from the mills and unloading it at interior points in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, and some of it 
in eastern cities. From five to eight thousand men are employed in the pineries in felling the 
trees, sawing them into logs of suitable length, and hauling them to the mills and streams during 
every winter in times of fair prices and favorable seasons. The amount of lumber sawed in 
i860, as carefully estimated, was 355,055,155 feet. The amountof shingles made was 2,272,061, 
and no account was made of the immense number of logs floated out of the state, for manufac- 
ture into lumber elsewhere. The amount of logs cut in the winter of 1873 and 1874 was 
987,000,000 feet. In 1876 and 1877 the Black river furnished 188,344,464 feet. The Chippewa, 
90,000,000; the Red Cedar, 57,000,000. There passed through Beef Slough 129,384,000 feet of 
logs. Hon. A. H. Eaton, for fourteen years receiver of the United States land office at Stevens 
Point, estimated the acreage of pine lands in his district at 2,000,000, and, taking his own district 
as the basis, he estimated the whole state at 8,000,000 acres. Reckoning this at 5,000 feet to the 
acre, the aggregate pine timber of the state would be 40,000,000,000 feet. The log product 
annually amounts to an immense sum. In 1876, 1,172,611,823 feet were cut. This is about the 
average annual draft that is made on the pine lands. There seems to be no remedy for the 



202 



HISTORY OF AVISCONSIN. 



wholesale destruction of our pine forests, except the one alluded to, the difficulty of transporta- 
tion, and this will probably save a portion of them for a long time in the future. At the rate of 
consumption for twenty years past, we can estimate that fifty years would see northern Wiscon- 
sin denuded of its pine forests; but our lumber product has reached its maximum, and will 
probably decrease in the coming years as the distance to be hauled to navigable streams 
increases. In the mean time lumber, shingles and lath will form an important factor in our 
commerce, both state and inter-state, and will contribute millions to the wealth of our citizens. 

Grain. 

Up to 1841, no grain was exported from Wisconsin to be used as food; but, from the time 
of Its first settlement in 1836 to 1840, the supply of bread stuffs from abroad, upon which t'.ie 
people depended, was gradually diminished by the substitution of home products. In the winter 
of 1840 and 1841, E. D. Holton, of Milwaukee, purchased a small cargo of wheat (about 4,000 
bushels), and in the spring of 1841, shipped it to Buffalo. This was the beginning of a traffic 
that has grown to immense proportions, and, since that lime, wheat has formed the basis of the 
commerce and prosperity of the state, until the city of Milwaukee has become the greatest 
primary wheat mart of the world. 

The following table gives the exixsrts of flour and grain from Milwaukee for thirty-two years, 
commencing in 1845 : 



FLOUR, 

bbls. 



WHEAT, CORN, 

bus. bus. 





OATS, 
bus. 



BARLEY, 

bus. 



RYE, 

bus. 



1845- 
1846. 
1847. 
1848. 
1849. 
1850. 
1851 - 
1852. 
1853- 
1854. 
1855- 
1S56. 

1857- 
1858. 

issq- 
1860. 
1861. 
1862. 
1863- 
1864- 
1865- 
1866. 
1867. 
1868. 
1869. 
1870. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873- 
1874- 
1875- 
1876. 



7.550 
15.756 
34.840 
92.732 
136,657 
100,017 
51.889 

92.995 
104,055 
145,032 
181,568 
188,455 
228.442 
298,668 
282,956 
457.343 
674.474 
711,405 
603.525 
414.833 
567.576 
720,365 
921,663 
017.598 
220,058 
225.941 
,211,427 
,232,036 
,805,200 

217.579 
,163,346 
,654,028 



95.510 

213.448 

598,411 

602,474 

1,136,023 

297.570 

317.285 

564,404 

956,703 

1,809,452 

2,641,746 

2,761,976 

2,581,311 

3.994.213 

4.732.957 

7,568,608 

13,300.495 

14,915,680 

12,837,620 

8.992,479 

10,479. 777 

11.634,749 

9,598,452 

9,367,029 

14.272,799 
16.127.838 
13,409.467 
11,570.565 
24,994,266 
22,255,380 
22,681,020 
16,804,394 



2,500 

5.000 

13.82S 

2,220 

270 

164,908 

112,132 

2l8 

472 

43.958 

41.364 

37.204 

1.485 

9.489 

88,989 

140,786 

71,203 

480,408 
266,249 

342,717 
93.806 

•03,173 
419.133 
1.557.953 
197.920 
556.563 
226,895 
96,908 



4,000 
2,100 

7,892 

363,841 

131. 716 

404.999 

13.833 

5.433 

2,775 

562,067 

299,002 

64,682 

1,200 



79 
831 
811, 
326, 

1,636, 
622. 
536, 
35t. 
210. 
772. 

1.323. 
990, 
726, 

1,160, 

1.377. 



,094 
600 
634 
472 
595 
469 

539 
768 
187 
929 
234 
525 
035 
450 
560 



15,000 I 
15.270 I 
103,840 
322,261 ' 
291,890 
339.338 ' 
63.379 
10,398 , 

800 

63,178 

53.216 I 

28,056 

5.220 

44,800 

133.449 

23.479 

29.597 

18,988 

30,822 

95.036 

1 20, 662 

469,325 

576.453 

931.725 

688.455 

464.837 

867,970 

1.235.481 



54.692 

80,365 

"3-443 
20,030 



5.378 

11.577 

9.735 

29,810 

126,301 

S4.047 

lS,2IO 

51.444 
255.329 
106,795 

91.443 

78,035 

62,494 

208,896 

209,751 
255,928 

79.879 

98,923 

220,964 



COMMERCE AND MANITFACTURES. 



208 



Up to 1856, the shipments were ahnosl wholly of Wisconsin products ; but with the comple- 
tion of lines of railroad from Milwaukee to the Mississippi river, the commerce of Wisconsin 
became so interwoven with that of Iowa and Minnesota, that the data furnished by the transpor- 
tation companies, give us no definite figures relating to the products of our own state. 

Dairv Products. 

Wisconsin is becoming largely interested in the dairy business. Its numerous springs, 
streams, and natural adaptability to grass, make it a fine grazing country, and stock thrives 
remarkably well. Within a few years, cheese-factories have become numerous, and their owners 
are meeting with excellent success. Wisconsin cheese is bringing the highest price in the markets, 
and much of it is shipped to England. Butter is also made of a superior quality, and is exten- 
sively exjiorted. At the rate of progress made during the last few years, Wisconsin will soon 
take rank with the leading cheese and butter producing states. The counties most largely inter- 
ested in dairying, are Kenosha, Walworth, Racine, Rock, Green, Waukesha, Winnebago, Sheboy- 
gan, Jefferson and Dodge. According to estimates by experienced dairymen, the manufacture 
of butter was 22,473,000 pounds in 1870; 50,130,000 in 1876; of cheese, 1,591,000 pounds in 
1870, as against 17,000,000 in 1876, which will convey a fair idea of the increase of dairy produc- 
tion. The receipts of cheese in Chicago during 1876, were 23,780,000 pounds, against 12,000,000 
in 1875 ; and the receipts of butter were 35,384,184, against 30,248,247 pounds in 1875. It is esti- 
mated that fully one-half of these receipts were from Wisconsin. The receipts of butter in 
Milwaukee were, in 1870, 3,779,114 pounds ; in 1875, 6,625,863; in 1876,8,938,137 pounds; ot 
cheese, 5,721,279 pounds in 1875, and 7,055,573 in 1876. Cheese is not mentioned in the trade 
and commerce reports of Milwaukee until 1873, when it is spoken of as a new and rapidly 
increasing commodity in the productions of the state. 

Fork .and Beef. 

Improved breeds, both of swine and cattle, have been introduced into the state during a 
few years past. The grade of stock has been rapidly bettered, and stock raisers generally are 
striving with commendable zeal to aval each other in raising the finest of animals for use and 
the market. 



The following table shows the receipts of live hogs and beef cattle at Milwaukee for thir- 
teen years : 



YEARS. 


LIVE HOGS. BEEF CATTLE. 


YEARS. 


LIVE HOGS. 


BEEF CATTLE. 


1876 

1875 

I874-- 

1873 

1872 

I87I 

1870 


254.317 
144.961 
242.326 
241,099 
138,106 
126,164 
66,138 


36,802 

46.717 
22,748 
17,262 
14,172 
9,220 
12,972 


1869 

1868. 

1867 

1866 - 

1865 

1864 

1863 - 


52.296 
48.717 
76,758 
31,881 
7.546 
42,250 
56,826 


12,521 
13,200 
15.527 
12,955 
14.230 
18.345 
14.655 



204 HISTORY OF WISCONSIX. 

The following table shows the movement of hog products and beef from Milwaukee since 
1862 • 



Shipments by Rail 


PORK, HAMS, MIDDLES AND SHOULDERS. ! LARD. 

1 


BEEF. 


andLake. 


Barrels. 


1 lerces. 


Boxes. 


Bulk, lbs. 


Barrels. 


Tierces. 


Barrels. 


Tierces. 


Totals 1876 . 


62,461 

56,778 
53.702 
80,010 
90,038 
88,940 

77.655 
69,805 
73.526 
88,888 
74.726 
34.013 
67.933 
90.3S7 

56,432 


15.439 

15.292 

17.124 

24.954 

20,115 

20,192 

15.819 

9.546 

13,146 

11,614 

7.805 

2,713 

5.927 

15.811 

12,685 


42,678 

28,374 

39.572 

62,211 

39,209 

14.938 

5,875 

5.298 

3.239 

4.522 

34.164 

5.000 

11,634 


5,123,818 
2,736.778 
1,494,112 


3,301 
601 

Q.I 10 


21,356 

18,950 

18,509 

24.,399 

27.765 

19,746 

10,950 

8,568 

5.055 

8,820 

6,292 

2,487 

7.207 

10, 546 

6.761 


7,333 

4,734 

5.015 

5.365 

4.757 

3.892 

4.427 

7.538 

10,150 

18,984 

11,852 

10,427 

36866 

42,987 

33.174 


3.439 
421 
707 
462 

1,500 

1,606 
925 

2,185 


" 1875 

" l87d. 


" 1873 

" l372 


1,915,610 4,065 
4.557.950 6.276 


'• 1871- 

1870 


5,161,941 
4,717,630 
2,325,150 
1,768,190 
454.786 
863,746 


3,932 

2,535 
1,180 

3,637 
2.523 
3.287 
1,929 

5,677 
10,987 

13.538 


" 1869 


■■ 1S68 


2,221 


'• 1867 


6,804 


" 1866 


4.584 


1S65 

•• 1864. ._ 

•• 1863 

" 1862 


5.528 
5.871 
6.377 
3,217 



Hops. 

The culture of hops, as an article af commerce, received but little attention prior to i860. 
In 1865, 2,864 bales only were shipped from Milwaukee. In addition, a large amount was used 
by the brewers througnout the state. In 1866, the amount exiorted was increased, and 5,774 
bales were shipped to eastern markets. The price, from forty-five to fifty-five cents per pound, 
stimulated production, and the article became one of the staple products of the counties of Sauk, 
("olumbia, Adams and Juneau, besides being largely cultivated in parts of some other counties. 
In 1867, 26,562 bales were received at Milwaukee, and the prices ranged from fifty to seventy cents 
per pound. The estimated crop of the slate for 1867 was 35,000 bales, and brought over 
$4,200,000. In 1868, not less than 60,000 bales were grown in the state. The crop everywhere 
was a large one, and in Wisconsin so very large that an over-supply was anticipated. But few, 
however, were prepared for the decline in prices, that far exceeded the worst apprehensions ot 
those interested. The first sales were made at twenty-five to thirty-five cents per pound, and the 
prices were reluctantly accepted by the growers. The price continued to decline until the article 
was unsalable and unavailable in the market. Probably the average price did not exceed ten 
cents per pound. Notwithstanding the severe check which hop-growing received in 1868, by the 
unprofitable result, growers were not discouraged, and the croj) of 1869 was a large one. So 
much of the crop of i868 remained in the hands of the growers, that it is impossible to estimate 
that of 1869. The new crop sold for from ten to fifteen cents, and the old for from three to five cents 
per pound. Hop-cultivation received a check from over-production in 1868, from which it did not 
soon recover. .\ large proportion of the yards were plowed under in 1870. The crop of 1869 
was much of it marketed during 1870, at a price of about two and one-half to three and one- 
half cents per pound, while that of 1870 brought ten to twelve and a half cents. During 
the year 187 1, a great advance in the price, caused by the partial failure ot the crop 
in some of the eastern states, and the decrease in price causing a decrease in production, 
what was left over of the crop of 1870 more than doubled in value before the new reached the 
market. The latter opened at thirty cents, and steadily rose to fifty and fifty-five for prime 



COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 



205 



qualities. The crop of 1 87 2 was of good quality, and the market opened at forty to fifty-five 
cents as the selling price, and fell fifteen to twenty cents before the close of the year. A much 
larger 'quantity was raised than the year previous. In 1873 and 1874, the crop was fair and 
prices ruled from thirty-three to forty-five cents, with increased production. About 18,000 bales 
were reported as being shipped from the different railway stations of the state. Prices were 
extremely irregular during 1875, and, after the new crop reached market, fell to a point that 
would not pay the cost of production. In 1876, prices ruled low at the opening of the year, and 
advanced from five to ten cents in January to twenty-eight to thirty in November. Over 17,000 
bales were received at Milwaukee, over 10,000 bales being of the crop of the previous year. 
Over 13,000 bales were shipped out of the state. 

* Tobacco. 

Tobacco raising is comparatively a new industry in Wisconsin, but is rapidly growing in 
mportance and magnitude. It sells readily for from four to ten cents per pound, and the plant 
s easily raised. It is not regarded as of superior quality. It first appears as a commodity of 
ransportation in the railway reports for the year 187 1, when the Prairie du Chien division 
)f the St. Paul road moved eastward 1,373,650 pounds. During the four years ending with 
i876,^there were shipped from Milwaukee an average of 5,1x8,530 pounds annually, the 1: axi- 
num being in 1874,6,982,175 pounds; the minimum in 1875, 2,743,854 pounds. The crop of 
:876 escaped the early frosts, and netted the producer from five to seven cents per pound. The 
jreatar part of it was shipped to Baltimore and Philadelphia. Comparatively little of the leaf 
aised in the state is used here or by western manufacturers. The crop of the present year, 
877, is a large one, and has been secured in good order. It is being contracted for at from four to 
iix cents per pound. 

Cranberries. 

The cranberry trade is yet in its infancy. But little, comparatively, has been done in devel- 
iping the capabilities of the extensive bodies of marsh and swamp lands interspersed throughout 
he northern part of the state. Increased attention is being paid to the culture of the fruit; yet, 
he demand will probably keep ahead of the supply for many years to come. In 1851, less than 
,500 barrels were sent out of the state. In 1872, the year of greatest production, over 37,000 
(arrels were exported, and, in 1876, about 17,000 barrels. The price has varied in different 
■ears, and taken a range from eight to fifteen dollars a barrel. 

Spirituous and Malt Liquors. 

The production of liquors, both spirituous and malt, has kept pace with the growth of 
xjpulation and with the other industries of the state. There were in Wisconsin, in 1872, two 
Kindred and ninety-two breweries and ten distilleries. In 1876, there were two hundred and 
linety-three of the former and ten of the latter, and most of them were kept running to their 
ull capacity. Milwaukee alone produced, in 1876, 321,611 barrels of lager beer and 43,175 
)arrels of high wines. In 1865, it furnished 6^,666 barrels of beer, and in 1870, 108,845 barrels, 
'n 1865, it furnished 3,046 barrels of high wines; in 1870, 22,867 barrels; and in 1875, 39,005. 
\ large quantity of the beer made was shipped to eastern and southern cities. The beer made 
n 1876 sold at the ratf; of ten dollars per barrel, the wholesale price of the brewers bringing the 
;um of $3,216,110. The fame of Milwaukee lager beer is widely extended. This city has 
"urnished since 1870, 1,520,308 barrels which, at the wholesale price, brought $15,203,170. The 
otal production of beer by all the two hundred and ninety-three breweries of the state for 1876, 
vas 450,508 barrels. 



206 IIISTOHY (IF WISCOXSIX. 

In 1876, Milwaukee produced 43,175 barrels of high wines, or distilled spirits, and the 
state of Wisconsin 51,959 barrels. In 1870, the former produced 108,845 barrels of beer and 
22,867 barrels of distilled spirits, and in the same year the state of Wisconsin produced 189,664 
barrels of beer and 36,145 barrels of distilled spirits. 

MiSCELL.AXEOUS. 

Porcelain clay, or kaolin, is found in numerous places in Wood and Marathon counties. The 
mineral is found in but few places in the United States in quantities sufficient to justify the 
investment of capital necessary to manufacture it. In the counties mentioned, the deposits are 
found in e.\tensive beds, and only capital and enterprise are needed to make their development 
profitable. Clay of superior quality for making brick and of fair' ijuality for pottery, is 
found in numerous localities. The famous " Milwaukee brick," remarkable for their beautiful 
cream color, is made from a fine clay which is abundant near Milwaukee, and is found in exten- 
sive beds at Watertown, Whitewater, Edgerton, Stoughton, and several places on the lake shore 
north of Milwaukee. At Whitewater and some other places the clay is used with success for the 
making of pottery ware. Water-lime, or hydraulic cement, occurs in numerous places throughout 
the state. An extensive bed covering between one and two hundred acres, and of an indefinite 
de[)th, exists on the banks of the Milwaukee river, and not over one and a half miles from the city 
limits of Milwaukee. The cement made from the rock of this deposit is first-class in quality, and 
between twenty and thirty thousand barrels were made and sold last year. The capacity of the 
works for reducing the rock to cement has been increased to 500 barrels per day. Stones suita- 
ble for building purposes are widely distributed throughout the state, and nearly every town has 
its available quarry. Many of these quarries furnish stone of fine (quality for substantial and 
permanent edifices. The quarry at Prairie du Chien furnished the stone for the capital building 
at Madison, which equals in beauty that of any state in the Union. .\t Milwaukee, Waukesha, 
Madison, La Crosse, and many other [ilaces are found quarries of superior building stone. 
Granite is found in extensive beds in Marathon and Wood counties, and dressed specimens 
exhibited at the " Centennial " last year, attracted attention for their fine polish. Marbles of 
various kinds are likewise found in the state. Some of them are beginning to attract attention 
and are likely to prove valuable. The report of Messrs. Foster & \\hitney. United States geol- 
ogists, speaks of quarries on the Menomonee and Michigamig rivers as affording beautiful varie- 
ties and susceptible of a high polish. Richland county contains marble, but its quality is gen- 
erally considered inferior. 

Water Powers. 

Wisconsin is fast becoming a manufacturing state. Its forests of pine, oak, walnut, maple, 
ash, and other valuable woods used for lumber, are well-nigh inexhaustible. Its water-power for 
driving the wheels of machinery is not equaled by that of any state in the northwest. The Lower 
Fox river between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, a distance of thirty-five miles, furnishes 
some of the best facilities for manufacturing enterprise in the whole country. Lake Winnebago 
as a reservoir gives it a great and special advantage, in freedom from liability to freshets and 
droughts. The stream never varies but a few feet from its highest to its lowest stage, yet gives 
a steady flow. The Green Bay and Mississippi canal company has, during the last twenty-five 
years, constructed numerous dams, canals and locks, constituting verj' valuable improvements. 
.\1I the property of that company has been transferred to the United States government, which 
has entered upon a system to render the Fox and Wisconsin rivers navigable to the Mississippi. 
The fall between the lake and Depere is one hundred and fifty feet, and the water can be utilized 



COMMERCE AND MANUFACTl'RES. 207 

in propelling machinery at Neenah, Menasha, Appleton, Cedar, Little Chute, Kaukauna, Rapid 
Croche, Little Kaukauna and Depere. The water-power at Appleton in its natural advantages 
is pronounced by Hon. Hiram Barney, of New York, superior to those at Lowell, Paterson 
and Rochester, combined. The water-power of the Fox has been improved to a considerable 
extent, but its full capacity has hardly been touched. Attention has been drawn to it, how- 
ever, and no doubt is entertained that in a few years the hum of machinery to be propelled 
by it, will be heard the entire length of the thirty-five miles. The facilities presented by its 
nearness to timber, iron, and a rich and productive agricultural region, give it an advantage over 
any of the eastern manufacturing points. 

The Wisconsin river rises in the extreme northern part of the state, and has its source in a 
great number of small lakes. The upper portion abounds in valuable water privileges, only a 
few of which are improved. There are a large number of saw-mills running upon the power of 
this river. Other machinery, to a limited extent, is in operation. 

The " Big Bull " falls, at Wausau, are improved, and a power of twenty-two feet fall is obtained. 
At Little Bull falls, below Wausau, there is a fall of eighteen feet, partially improved. There are 
many other water-powers in Marathon county, some of which are used in propelling flouring- 
mills and saw-mills. At Grand Rapids, there is a descent of thirty feet to the mile, and the 
water can be used many times. Each time, 5,000 horse-power is obtained. At Kilbourn City 
a large amount of power can be obtained for manufacturing purposes. 

Chippewa river has its origin in small streams in the north part of the state. Explorers 
tell us that there are a large number of water powers on all the upper branches, but as the 
country is yet unsettled, none of them have been improved, and very few even located on our maps. 
Brunette falls and Ameger falls, above Chippewa Falls city, must furnish considerable water- 
jiower, but its extent is not known At Chippewa Falls is an excellent water-power, only partially 
improved. The river descends twmty-six feet in three-fourths of a mile. At Duncan creek at the 
same place, there is a good fall, improved to run a large flouring mill. At Eagle Rapids, five 
miles above Chippewa Falls, $r 20,00c has been expended in improving the fall of the Chippewa 
river. The city of Eau Claire is situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire 
rivers, and possesses in its immediate vicinity water-powers almost unrivaled. Some of them 
are improved. The citizens of Eau Claire have, for several years, striven to obtain legislative 
authority to dam the Chippewa river, so as to improve the water-power of the Dells, and a lively 
contest, known as the " Dells fight," has been carried on with the capitalists along the river above 
that town. There are immense water-powers in Dunn county, on the Red Cedar, Chippewa 
;nd Eau Galle rivers, on which there are many lumbering establishments. In Pepin county also 
there are good powers. The Black river and its branches, the La Crosse, Buffalo, Trempealeau, 
Reaver, and Tamaso, furnish many valuable powers. The St. Croix river is not excelled in the value 
of its water privileges by any stream in the state, except the Lower Fox river. At St. Croix Falls, 
the water of the river makes a descent of eighty-five feet in a distance of five miles, and the vol- 
ume of water is sufficient to move the machinery for an immense manufacturing business, and the 
banks present good facilities for building dams, and the river is not subject to freshets. The 
Kinnekinnick has a large number of falls, someof them partially improved. Within twenty-five 
miles of its entrance into Lake St. Croix, it has a fall of two hundred feet, and the volume of 
water averages about three thousand cubic feet per minute. Rock river affords valuable water- 
privileges at Watertown (with twenty-four feet fall), and largely improved; at Jefferson, Indian 
Ford and Janesville, all of which are improved. Beloit also has an excellent water-power, and 
it is largely improved. Scattered throughout the state are many other water-powers, not alluded 



208 IIISTOHV OF AVIS( ONsIX. 

to in the foregoing. There are several in Manitowoc county ; in Manniette county, also. In 

Washington county, at West Rend, Berlin, and Cedar Creek, there are good water-powers, partly 

utilized. At Whitewater, in Walworth county, is a good power. In Dane county, there is a 

water-power at Madison, at the outlet of Lake Mendota; also, a good one at Stoughton, below 

the first, or Lake Kegonsa ; also at Paoli, Bellville, Albany and Brodhead, on the Sugar river. 

In Grant county there are not less than twenty good powers, most of them well-developed. In 

Racine county, three powers of fine capacity at Waterford, Rochester and Burlington, all of 

which are improved. The Oconto, Peshtigo and Menoraonee rivers furnish a large number of 

splendid water- powers of large capacity. The Upper Wolf river has scores of water-powers on 

its main stream and numerous branches; but most of the country is still a wilderness, though 

containing resources which, when developed, will make it rich and prosperous. There are 

numerous other streams of less consequence than those named, but of great imix)rtance to the 

localities they severally drain, that have had their i)owers improved, and their waterfalls are 

singing the songs of commerce. On tlie rivers emptying into Lake Superior, there are numerous 

and valuable water-powers. The Montreal river falls one thousand feet in a distance of thirty 

miles. 

Man u f.\ct u res. 

The mechanical and manufacturing industries of Wisconsin demonstrate that the people do 
not rely wholly upon agricultural pursuits, or lumbering, for subsistence, but aim to diversify 
their labors as much as possible, and to give encouragement to the skill and ingenuity of their 
mechanics and artisans. All our cities, and most of our villages, support establishments that 
furnish wares and implements in common use among the people. We gather from the census 
report for 1S70 a few facts that will give us an adequate idea of what was done in a single year, 
remembering that the data furnished is si.x years old, and that great advancement has been made 
since the statistics were gathered. In 1S70, there were eighty-two establishments engaged in 
making agricultural implements, employing 1,387 hands, and turning out products valued at 
$2,393,400. There were one hundred and eighty-eight furniture establishments, employing 1,844 
men, and making $1,542,300 worth of goods. For making carriages and wagons there were four 
hundred and eighty-five establishments, employing 2.184 men, and their product was valued at 
$2,596,534; for clothing, two hundred and sixty-three establishments, and value of product 
$2,340,400 ; sash, doors and blinds, eighty-one shops, and value of product $1,852,370 ; leather, 
eighty-five tanneries, employing 577 men, and value of products $2,013,000; malt liquors, one 
hundred and seventy-six breweries, 835 men, and their products valued at $1,790,273. 

At many points the business of manufacturing is carried on more or less extensively; 
indeed, there is hardly a village in the state where capital is not invested in some kind 
of mechanical industry or manufacturing enterprise, and making satisfactory returns; but for 
details in this respect, the reader is referred to the department of local history. 

The principal commodities only, which Wisconsin contributes to trade and commerce, have 
been considered. There remains quite a number of minor articles from which the citizens of the 
state derive some revenue, such as flax and maple sugar, which can not be separately considered 
in this paper. 

Concluding Rem.\rks. 

Statistics are usually dry reading, but, to one desiring to change his location and seeking 
information regarding a new country and its capabilities, they become intensely interesting and 
of great value. The farmer wishes to know about the lands, their value and the ijroductiveness 
of the soil ; the mechanic about the workshops, the price of labor, and the demand for such wares 



COMMERCE AND MANUFACTl^RES. 209 

as he is accustomed to make ; the capitalist, concerning all matters that pertain to resources, 
advantages, and the opportunities for investing his money. Our own people want all the infor- 
mation that can be gained by the collection of all obtainable facts. The sources of such infor- 
mation are now various, and the knowledge they impart fragmentary in its character. 

Provision should be made by law, for the collection and publication of reliable statistics 
relating to our farming, manufacturing, mining, lumbering, commercial and educational interests. 
Several of the states of the Union have established a "Bureau of Statistics,"' and no more valua- 
ble reports emanate from any of their state departments than those that exhibit a condensed 
view of the material results accomplished each year. Most of the European states foster these 
agencies with as much solicitude as any deiiartment of their government. Indeed, they have 
become a social as well as a material necessity, for social science extends its inquiries to the 
physical laws of man as a social being ; to the resources of the country ; its productions ; the 
growth of society, and to a// those facts or conditions which may increaseor diminish the strength, 
growth or happiness of a people. Statistics are the foundation and corner-stone of social science, 
which is the highest and noblest of all tlie sciences. 

A writer has said that, " If God had designed Wisconsin to be chiefly a manufacturing state, 
instead of agricultural, which she claims to be, and is, it is difficult to see more than one partic- 
ular in which He could have endowed her more richly for that purpose." She has all the mate- 
rial for the construction of articles of use and luxury, the means of motive power to propel the 
machinery, to turn and fashion, weave, forge, and grind the natural elements that abound in such 
rich profusion. She has also the men whose enterprise and skill have accomplished most sur-. 
prising results, in not only building up a name for themselves, but in placing the state in aprouti 
position of independence. 

It is impossible to predict what will be the future growth and development of Wisconsin. 
From its commercial and manufacturing advantages, we may reasonably anticipate that she will 
in a few years lead in the front rank of the states of the Union in all that constitutes real great- 
ness. Her educational system is one of the best. With her richly endowed State University, her 
colleges and high schools, and the people's colleges, the common schools, she has laid a broad 
and deep foundation for a great and noble commonwealth. It was early seen what were the 
capabilities of this their newly explored domain. The northwestern explorer, Jonathan Carver, 
in 1766, one hundred and eleven years ago, after traversing Wisconsin and viewing its lakes of 
crystal purity, its rivers of matchless utility, its forests of exhaustless wealth, its prairies of wout 
derful fertility, its mines of buried treasure, recorded this remarkable prediction of which we see 
the fulfillment: "To what power or authority this new world will become dependent after it has 
arisen from its present uncultivated state, time alone can discover. But as the seat of empire from 
time immemorial has been gradually progressive toward the west, there is no doubt but that at 
some future period mighty kingdoms will emerge from these wildernesses, and stately palaces 
and solemn temples with gilded spires reaching to the skies supplant the Indian huts, whose 
only decorations are the barbarous trophies of'their vanquished enemies." 

" Westward the course of empire takes its way ; 

The four first acts already passed. 
A. fifth shall close the drama with the day ; ' 

Time's noblest offspring is the last." 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 

By D. S. DURRIE. 

In the early part of the seventeenth century, all the territory north of the Ohio river, 
including the present state of Wisconsin, was an undiscovered region. As far as now known, it 
was never visited by white men until the year 1634, when Jean Nicolet came to the Green bay 
country as an ambassador from the French to the Winnebagoes. The Jesuit fathers in 1660 
visited the south shore of Lake Superior; and, soon after, missions were established at various 
points in the northwest. 

The French government appreciating the importance of ix)ssessing dominion over this sec- 
tion, M. Talon, intendant of Canada, took steps to carry out this purpose, and availed himself 
of the good feelings entertained toward the French by a number of the Indian tribes, to establish 
the authority of the French crown over this remote quarter. A small party of men led by 
Daumont de St. Lusson, with Nicolas Perrot as interpreter, set out from Quebec on this mission, 
in 1670, and St. Lusson sent to the tribes occupying a. circuit of a hundred leagues, inviting the 
nations, among them the Wisconsin tribes inhabitini; the Green bay country, by their chiefs and 
ambassadors, to meet liim at the Sault Sainte Marie the following spring. 

In the month of May, 167 1, fourteen tribes, by their representatives, including the Miamis, 
Sacs, Winnebagoes, Menomonees, and Pottawattamies, arrived at the place designated. On the 
morning of the fourteenth of June, " St. Lusson led his followers to the top of the hill, all fully 
equipped and under arms. Here, too, in the vestments of their priestly office were four Jesuits : 
Claude Dablon, superior of the mission on the lakes, Gabriel Druillettes, Claude AUouez, and 
Andr^. All around, the great throng of Indians stood, or crouched, or reclined at length with 
eyes and ears intent. A large cross of wood had been made ready. Dablon, in solemn form, 
pronounced his blessing on it ; and then it was reared and planted in the ground, while the 
Frenchmen, uncovered, sang the Vexilla Rcj^is. Then a post of cedar was planted beside it, 
with a metal plate attached, engraven with the royal arms ; while St. Lusson's followers sang the 
exaudiat, and one of the priests uttered a jirayer for the king. St. Lusson now advanced, and, 
holding his sword in one hand, and raising with the other a sod of earth, proclaimed in a loud 
voice " that he took possession of all tlie country occupied by the tribes, and placed them under 
the king's protection. 

This act, however, was not regarded as sufficiently definite, and on the eighth of May, 1689, 
Perrot, who was then commanding for the king at tlie post of Nadouesiou.x, near Lake Pepin on 
the west side of the Mississippi, commissioned by the Marquis de Denonville to manage the 
interests of commerce west of Green bay took possession, in the name of the king, with 
appropriate ceremonies, of the countries west of Lake Michigan as far as the river St. Peter. 
The papers were signed by Perrot and others. 

By these solemn acts, the present limits of Wisconsin with much contiguous territory, came 
under the dominion of the French government, the jxDssession of which continued until October, 
1 761 — a period of ninety years from the gathering of the chiefs at the Sault Ste. Marie in 1671. 

From the commencement of French occupancy up to the time when the British took posses- 
sion, the district of country embraced within the present limits of this stale had but few white 
inhabitants besides the roaming Indian traders; and of these few, the locations were separated by 
a distance of more than two hundred miles in a direct line, and nearly double that distance by 



THE Pl^BLIO DOMAIN. 211 

the usual watercourses. There was no settlement of agriculturists; there were no missionary 
establishments; no fortified posts at other points, except at Depere and Green bay on Fox "iver, 
and perhaps at Prairie du Chien, near the junction of the Wisconsin and the Mississippi. 

The French government made no grant of lands; gave no attention to settlers or agrica.- 
turists, and the occupation of the country was strictly military. There were, indeed, a few grants 
of lands made by the French governors and commanders, previous to 1750, to favored indi- 
viduals, six of which were afterward confirmed by the king of France. There were also others 
which did not require confirmation, being made by Cardillac, commanding at Detroit, under 
special authority of the king; of this latter kind, one for a small piece of thirty acres bears with 
it, says a writer, " so many conditions, reservations, prohibitions of sale, and a whole cavalcade 
of feudal duties to be performed by the grantee, that in itself, it would be a host in opposition to 
the agricultural settlement of any country." 

The grants just referred to, relate to that part of the French possessions outside the limits 
of the present state of Wisconsin. Within its limits there was a grant of an extensive territory 
including the fort at the head of Green bay, with the exclusive right to trade, and other valuable 
privileges, from the Marquis de Vaudreuil, in October, 1759, to M. Rigaud. It was sold by the 
latter to William Gould and Madame Vaudreuil, to whom it was confirmed by the king of 
France in January, 1760, at a very critical period, when Quebec had been taken by the British, 
and Montreal was only wanting to complete the conquest of Canada. This grant was evidently 
intended as a perquisite to entrap some unwary persons to give a valuable consideration for it, 
as it would be highly impolitic for the government to make such a grant, if they continued mas- 
ters of the country, since it would surely alienate the affections of the Indians. The whole 
country had already been virtually conquered bj' Great Britain, and the grant of course was not 
confirmed by the English government. 

Of the war between the French and English governments in America, known as the Frerich 
and Indian war, it is not necessary to speak, except in general terms. The English made a 
determined effort to obtain the possessions claimed by the French. The capture of Quebec in 
1759, and the subsequent capitulation of Montreal in 1760, extinguished the domination of 
France in the basin of the St. Lawrence ; and by the terms of the treaty of Paris, concluded 
February 10, 1763, all the possessions in, and all the claims of the French nation to, the vast 
Country watered by the Ohio and the Mississippi were ceded to Great Britain. 

Among the first acts of the new masters of the country was the protection of the eminent 
domain of the government, and the restriction of all attempts on the part of individuals to acquire 
Indian titles to lands. By the King of England's proclamation of 1763, no more grants of land 
within certain prescribed limits could be issued, and all private persons were interdicted the 
liberty of purchasing lands from the Indians, or of making settlements within those prescribed 
limits. The indulgence of such a privilege as that of making private purchases of the natives, 
conduced to the most serious difficulties, and made way for the practice of the most reprehensible 
frauds. The policy pursued by the English government has been adopted and acted upon by the 
government of the United States in the extinguishment of the Indian title to lands in every part 
of the country. 

In face of the proclamation of 1763, and within three years after its promulgation, under 
a pretended purchase f'om, or voluntary grant of the natives, a tract of country nearly one hundred 
miles square, including large portions of what is now northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, was 
riaimed by Jonathan Carver, and a ratification of his title solicited from the king and council. 
This was not conceded ; and the representatives of Carver, after the change of government had 



212 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIN". 

brought the lands under the jurisdiction of the United States, for a series of years presented the 
same claims before congress, and asked for their confirmation. Such a demand under all the 
circumstances, could not justify an expectation of success; and, of course, has often been refused. 
But notwithstanding the abundant means which the public have had of informing themselves of 
the true nature and condition of Carver's claim, bargains and sales of portions of this tract have 
been made among visionary speculators for more than half a century past. It is now only a 
short period since the maps of the United States ceased to be defaced by a delineation of 
Ihe "Carver Grant." 

The mere transfer of the dominion over the country from the French to the English govern- 
ment, and the consequent occupation of the English posts by the new masters, did not in any 
great degree affect the social condition of the inhabitants. By the terms of capitulation, the 
French subjects were permitted to remain in the country, in the full enjoyment of their civil and 
religious privileges. 

The English, however, did not hold peaceable possession of the territory acquired. The war 
inaugurated by Pontiac and his Indian allies on the military posts occupied by the English soon 
followed, and in the month of May, 1763, nine posts were captured with much loss of life. In 
the spring of 1764, twenty-two tribes who were more or less identified in the outbreak, concluded 
a treaty of peace with General Bradstreet at Niagara. 

The expedition of Colonel George Rogers Clark to the Illinois country, and the conquest 
of the British posts in 1778 and 1779, had the effect to open the way for the emigration of the 
Anglo-American population to the Mississippi valley; and at the close of the revolutionary 
war. Great Britain renounced all claim to the whole territory lying east of the Mississippi river. 
The dominion of the English in the Illinois and Wabash countries, ceased with the loss of the 
military posts which commanded the Northwestern territory of the United States. As a result of 
the enterprise and success of Clark, Virginia obtained possession of the Illinois country; his 
expedition having been undertaken and carried forward under the auspices of that stale. 

Several of the eastern states under their colonial charters, laid claim to portions of the land 
comprised in the territory northwest of the Ohio river. The claim of Massachusetts was derived 
from a grant from King James of November 3, 1620; and included from lat. 420 2' to about lat. 
450, extending to the south sea; Connecticut claimed from lat. 4i<? north 10420 2'. The claims of 
Virginia were from grants from King James, bearing date, respectively, April 10, 1606, May 23, 
1609, and March 12, 1611, and an additional claim for the territory conquered by Clark in the 
Illinois country ; but they extended no farther north than the southern end of Lake Michigan. 

It is a popular impression that the territory of the present state of Wisconsin was compre- 
hended in the lands northwest of the river Ohio, over which Virginia exercised jurisdiction, and, 
consequently, was included in her deed of cession of lands to the United States. This opinion so 
generally entertained by writers on American history, is a statement which does not appear to 
have any solid foundation in fact. Virginia never made any conquests or settlements in Wiscon- 
sin, and at no time prior to the proffer of her claims to the general government had she ever 
exercised jurisdiction over it. In fact, there were no settlements in Wisconsin except at Green 
Bay and Prairie du Chien before that' time, and these were made by French settlers who were in 
no wise interfered with while the revolution continued. In Illinois it was otherwise ; and the 
possession of its territory by Virginia was an undisputed fact. During the revolution the title of 
the sovereignty in Wisconsin was actually in Great Britain, and so remained until the definite 
treaty of peace in 1783; at which date England yielding her right constructively to the United 
States, retaining possession, however, until 1796; at which time the western posts were transferred 
to the United States. 



THE n-BLTC DOMAIN. • 213 

All the claiming states finally ceded their interests to the general government, giving the 
latter a perfect title, subject only to the rights of the Indians. The deed of cession from Virginia 
was dated March i, 1784. The other states ceded their claims, some before this date, others 
subsequent thereto. 

Virginia made a number of stipulations in her deed of cession; among others, that the 
French and Canadian inhabitants and the neighboring villages who had professed themselves 
citizens of Virginia, should have their possessions and title confirmed to them, and be protected in 
the enjoyment of their rights and liberties; thr.t 150,000 acres of land near the rapids of the Ohio, 
should be reserved for that portion of her state troops which had reduced the country; and about 
3,500,000 acres between the rivers Scioto and Little Miami be reserved for bounties to her troops 
on the continental establishment. 

In consequence of certain objectionable stipulations made by Virginia as to the division of 
the territory into states, the deed of cession was referred back, to that state with a recommenda- 
tion from congress that these stipulations should be altered. On the 30th of December, 1788, 
Virginia assented to the wish of congress, and formally ratified and confirmed the fifth article of 
compact which related to that subject, and tacitly gave her consent to the whole ordinance of 1787. 
The provisions of this ordinance have since been applied to all the territories of the United 
States lying north of the 360 40'. After the adoption of the constitution of the United States the 
the new congress, among its earliest acts, passed one, recognizing the binding force of the ordi- 
nance of 1787. 

Of this ordinance it has been said : " It was based on the principles of civil liberty, maintained 
in the magna charta of England, re-enacted in the bill of rights, and incorporated in our differ- 
ent state constitutions. It was the fundamental law of the constitution, so to speak, of the great 
northwest, upon which were based, and with which harmonized all our territorial enactments, as 
well as our subsequent state legislation, and, moreover, it is to that wise, statesman-like document 
that we are indebted for much of our prosperity and greatness." 

After the close of the revolutionary war, enterprising individuals traversed the whole country 
which had been ceded to the government, and companies were formed to explore and settle the 
fertile and beautiful lands beyond the Ohio ; but the determination of the British cabinet not to 
evacuate the western posts, was well known, and had its effect on the people who were disposed 
to make settlements. 

The western tribes were also dissatisfied and threatened war, and efforts were made by the 
government to settle the difficulties. A grand council was held at the mouth of Detroit river 
in December, 1787, which did not result favorably, and two treaties were subsequently held» 
which were not respected by the savages who were parties to them. Soon an Indian war ensued, 
/hich resulted at first disastrously to the American troops under Generals Harmar and St. Clair, 
but finally with success to the American arms under General Wayne. The treaty of Greenville 
followed. It was concluded August 3, 1795. At this treaty there were present eleven hundred 
and thirty chiefs and warriors. It was signed by eighty-four chiefs and General Anthony Wayne, 
sole commissioner of the United States. One of the provisions of the treaty was that in consid- 
eration of'the peace then established, and the cessions and relinquishments of lands made by the 
tribes of Indians, and to manifest the liberality of the United States as the great means of render- 
ing this peace strong and perpetual, the United States relinquished their claims to all other 
Indian lands northward of the river Ohio, eastward of the Mississippi, and westward and south- 
ward of the great lakes and the waters united by them, except certain reservations and portions 
before purchased of the Indians, none of which were within the present limits of this state. The 
Indian title to the whole of what is now Wisconsin, subject only to certain restrictions, became 



214 HISTORY f)F "WISCONSIN. 

absolute in the various tribes inhabiting it. By this treaty it was stipulated that, of the lands relin- 
quished by the United States, the Indian tribes who have a right to those lands, were quietly to 
enjoy them ; hunting, planting, and dwelling thereon so long as they pleased ; but, when those 
tribes or any of them should be disposed to sell them, or any part of them, they were to be sold 
only to the United States, and until such sale, the United States would protect all of the tribes 
in the quiet enjoyment of their lands against all citizens of the United States, and all other white 
persons who might intrude on the same. At the same time all the tribes acknowledged them- 
selves to be under the protection of the United States, and no other person or power what- 
soever. 

The treaty also prohibited any citizen of the United States, or any other white man, settling 
upon the lands relinquished by the general government ; and such person was to be considered 
as out of the protection of the United States; and the Indian tribe on whose land the settlement 
might be made, could drive off the settler, or punish him in such manner as it might see fit. 

It will be seen that the Indians were acknowledged to have an unquestionable title to the 
lands they occupied until that right should be extinguished by a voluntary cession to the general 
government; and the constitution of the United States, by declaring treaties already made, as 
well as those to be made, to be the supreme law of the land, adopted and sanctioned previous 
treaties with the Indian nations, and consequently admitted their rank among those powers who 
are capable of making treaties. 

The several treaties which had been made between commissioners on the part of the United 
States and various nations of Indians, previous to the treaty of Greenville, were generally 
restricted to declarations of amity and friendship, the establishment and confirming of bounda- 
ries, and the jjrotection of settlements on Indian lands ; those that followed were generally for a 
cession of lands and provisions made for their payment. It is proposed to notice the several 
treaties that took place after that held at Greenville, showing in what way the territory of the 
present state, came into possession of the government. As will be seen hereafter, it required trea- 
ties with numerous tribes of Indians to obtain a clear, undisputed title, as well as many years 
before it was fully accomplished. 

1. A treaty was held at St. Louis, November 3, 1804, between the Sacs and Foxes and the 
United States. William Henry Harrison was acting commissioner on the part of the govern- 
ment. By the provisions of the treaty, the chiefs and head men of the united tribes ceded to 
the United States a large tract on both sides of the Mississippi, extending on the east from the 
mouth of the Illinois to the head of that river, and ihence to the Wisconsin ; and including on 
the west considerable portions of Iowa and Missouri, from the mouth of the Gasconade north- 
ward. In what is now the state of Wisconsin, this grant embraced the whole of the present 
counties of Grant and La Fayette and a large portion of Iowa and Green counties. The lead 
region was included in this purchase. In consideration of this cession, the general government 
agreed to protect the tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their land, against its own citizens and 
all others who should intrude on them. The tribes permitted a fort to be built on the upper 
side of the Wisconsin river, near its mouth, and granted a tract of land two miles square, adjoin- 
ing the same. The government agreed to give them an annuity of one thousand dollars per 
annum. The validity of this treaty was denied by one band of the Sac Indians, and this cession 
of land became, twenty-eight years after, the alleged cause of the Black Hawk war. 

2. Another treaty was held at Portage des Sioux, now a village in St. Charles county, Mis- 
souri, on the Mississippi river, September 13, 1815, with certain chiefs of that portion of the 
Sac nation then residing in Missouri, who, they said, were compelled since the commencement of 



THK IMHIJC DOMAIN". 215 

the late war, to separate themselves from the rest of their nation. They gave their assent to the 
treaty made at St. Louis in 1804, and promised to remain separate from the Sacs of Rock river, 
and to give them no aid or assistance, until peace should be concluded between the United 
States and the Foxes of Rock river. 

3. On the 14th of September, a treaty was made with the chiefs of the Fox tribe at the 
same place. They agreed that all ])risoners in their hands should be delivered up to the govern- 
ment. They assented to, recognized, re-established and confirmed the treaty of 1804, to the full 
extent of their interest in the same. 

4. A treaty was held at St. Louis, ^Lay 13, 1816, with the Sacs of Rock river, who affirmed 
the treaty of 1804, and agreed to deliver up all the property stolen or plundered, and in failure 
to do so, to forfeit all title to their annuities. To this treaty. Black Hawk's name appears with 
others. That chief afterward affirmed that though he himself had " touched the quill " to 
this treaty, he knew not what he was signing, and that he was therein deceived by the agent and 
others, who did not correctly explain the nature of the grant; and in reference to the treaty of 
St. Louis in 1804, and at Portage des Sioux in 1815, he said that he did not consider the same 
valid or binding on him or his tribe, inasmuch as by the terms of those treaties, territory was 
described which the Indians never intended to sell, and the treaty of 1804, particularly, was 
made by parties who had neither authority in the nation, nor power to dispose of its lands. 
Whether this was a true statement of the case, or otherwise, it is quite certain that the grant of 
lands referred to was often confirmed by his nation, and was deemed conclusive and binding by 
the government. The latter acted in good faith to the tribes, as well as to the settlers, in the 
disposition of the lands. 

5. A treaty of peace and friendship was made at St. Louis, June 3, 1S16, between the chiefs 
and warriors of that part of the Winnebagoes residing on the Wisconsin river. In this treaty the 
tribe state that they have separated themselves from the rest of their nation ; that they, for 
themselves and those they represent, confirm to the United States all and every cession of land 
heretofore made by their nation, and every contract and agreement, as far as their interest 
extended. 

6. On the 30th of March, 1817, the Menomonee tribe concluded a treaty of peace and 
friendship at St. Louis with the United States, and confirmed all and every cession of land 
before made by them within the limits of the United States. 

7. On the 19th of August, 1825, at Prairie du Chien, a treaty was made with the .Sioux, 
Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Winnebagoes, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which the boundary 
between the two first nations was agreed upon; also between the Chippewas, Winnebagoes and 
other tribes. 

8. Another treaty was held August 5, 1826, at Fond du Lac of Lake Superior, a small 
settlement on the St. Louis river, in Itaska county, Minn., with the same tribes, by which the 
previous treaty was confirmed in respect to boundaries, and those of the Chippewas were defined, 
as a portion of the same was not completed at the former treaty. 

9. A treaty was made and concluded August 1, 1827, at Butte des Morts, between the United 
States and the Chippewa, Menomonee and Winnebago tribes, in which the boundaries of their 
tribes were defined ; no cession of lands was made. 

to. A treaty was made at Green Bay, August 25, 1828, with the Winnebagoes, Pottawat- 
tamies and other tribes. This treaty was made to remove the difficulties which had arisen in 
consequence of the occupation by white men of that portion of the mining country in ♦^he south- 
western part of Wisconsin which had not been ceded to the United States. A provisional 



216 HISTOliV (»I" "WISCOXSIX. 

boundary was provided, and privileges accorded the government to freely occupy their territory 
until a treaty should be made for the cession of the same. Tliis treaty was simply to define the 
rights of the Indians, and to give the United States the right of occupation. 

11. Two treaties were made at Prairie du Chien, on the 29th of 7uly, 1829, and August i, 
1829 : at the first date, with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which these nations 
ceded all their lands which they claimed in the northwestern jwrt of Illinois ; and at the latter 
date with the Winnebagoes, by which that nation ceded and relinquished all their right, title and 
claim to all their lands south of the AVisconsin river, thus confirming the purchase of the lead- 
mine region. Certain grants were made to individuals, which grants were not to be leased or 
sold by the grantees. 

By this important treaty, about eight millions of acres of land were added to the public 
domain. The three tracts ceded, and forming one whole, extended from the upper end of Rock 
river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, from latitude 41° 30' to latitude 43° 15', on the Mississippi. 
Following the meanderings of the river, it was about two hundred and forty miles from west to 
east, extending along the \\'isconsin and Fox rivers, affording a passage across the country from 
the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. The south part of the purchase extended from Rock Island 
to Lake Michigan. 

12. Another important treaty was made at Green Bay, February 8, 1831, between the Meno- 
monee Indians and the United States. That nation possessed an immense territory. Its eastern 
division was bounded by the Milwaukee river, the shore of Lake Michigan, Green bay, Fox river, 
and Lake Winnebago; its western division, by the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers on the west. 
Fox river on the south. Green bay on the east, and the high lands which flow the streams into 
Lake Superior on the north. By this treaty all the eastern division, estimated at two and a half 
millions of acres, was ceded to the government. By certain other provisions, the tribe was to 
occupy a large tract lying north of Fox river and east of Wolf river. Their territory farther west 
was reserved for their hunting-grounds until such time as the general government should desire 
to purchase it. Another portion, amounting to four millions of acres, lying between Green bay 
■on the east and Wolf river on the west, was also ceded to the L'nited States, besides a strip of 
country, three miles in width, from near the portage of the AA'isconsin and Fox rivers north, on 
each side of the Wisconsin river, and forty-eight miles long — still leaving the tribe in peaceable 
possession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty broad. By 
supplementary articles to the treaty, provision was made for the occupancy of certain lands by 
the New York Indians — two townships on the east side of Lake Winnebago. 

13. At the conclusion of the Black Hawk war, in 1S32, for the purpose of clearing up the 
Indian title of the Winnebago nation in the country, a treaty was made and concluded at Fort 
Armstrong, September 15, 1832. All the territory claimed hy this nation lying south and east of 
the Wisconsin and Fox river of Green bay, was ceded to the United States, and no band or party 
of Winnebagoes was allowed to reside, plant, fish or hunt on these grounds, after June i, 183 ;. 
or on any part of the country therein ceded. 

14. On the 27th of October, 1832, articles of agreement were made and concluded at Green 
Bay between the United States and the Menomonee Indians, by the terms of which that nation 
ceded to the New York Indians certain lands 01: Fox river. 

15. An important treaty was made at Chicago, September 26, 1833, between the United 
States and the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies. Those nations ceded to the government 
all their lands along the western shore of Lake Michigan, and between that lake and the land 
xeded to the United States by the Winnebago nation at the treaty at Fort Armstrong, September 



THE PrBLlC DOMAIN. 217 

15, 1832, bounded on the north by the country lately ceded by the Menomonees, and on the 
south by the country ceded at the treaty at Prairie du Chien, July 19, 1829 — containing about 
five millions of acres. 

16. On the 3d of September, 1S36, a tieaty was made at Cedar Point with the Menomonees, 
by which lands lying west of Green bay, and a strip on the upper Wisconsin, were ceded to the 
United States — the quantity of land ceded being estimated at four millions of acres in the Green 
bay portion ; on the Wisconsin river, a strip three miles wide on each side of the river, nmning 
forty-eight miles north in a direct Ime, equivalent to 184,320 acres. 

17. On the 29th of July, 1837, a treaty was made with the Chippewas of the Mississicpi, at 
Fort Snelling, and the United States, the nation ceding to the government all their lands in 
Wisconsin lying south of the divide between the waters of Lake Superior and those of the 
Mississippi. 

18. Certain chiefs and braves of the Sioux nation of the Mississippi, while visiting Washing- 
ton, September 29, 1837, ceded to the United States all their lands east of the Mississippi, and all 
their islands in said river. 

19. The Winnebago nation, by the chiefs and delegates, held a treaty with the government 
at Washington, November i, 1837. That nation ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi, 
and obligated themselves to remove, within eight months after the ratification of the treaty, to 
certain lands west of the river Mississippi which were conveyed to them by the treaty of Sep- 
tember 21, 1832. 

20. The Oneida or New York Indians, residing near Green Bay, by their chief and repre- 
sentative, on the 3d of February, 1838, at Washington City, ceded to the United States their title 
and interest in the land set apart by the treaty made with the Menomonees, May 8, 1831, and the 
treaty made with the same tribe, October 7, 1832, reserving about 62,000 acres. 

21. Another treaty was made at Stockbridge on the 3d of September, 1839, by which the 
Stockbridge and Munsee tribes (New York Indians) ceded and relinquished to the United States 
the east half of the tract of 46,080 acres which was laid off for their use on the east side of Lake 
Winnebago by treaty of October 7, 1832 

22. On the 4th of October, 1842, a treaty was made at La Pointe, on Lake Superior, wth the 
Chippewas. All their lands in the northern and northwestern parts of Wisconsin were ceded to 
the United States. 

23. The Menomonee nation, on the i8th of October, 184S, at Pow-aw-hay-kon-nay, ceded 
and relinquished to the United States all their lands in the state, wherever situated — the gov- 
ernment to furnish the nation as a home, to be held as Indian lands are held, all the country ceded 
to the United States by the Chippewa nation August 2, 1847, the consideration being the sum of 
$350,000, to be paid according to the stipulations of the treaty. A supplementary treaty was 
made on the 24th of November, 1848, with the Stockbridges — the tribe to sell and relinquish to 
the United States the township of land on the east side of Lake Winnebago, secured to said tribe 
by treaty of February 8, 1831. 

24. A treaty was made with the Menomonee nation, at the falls of Wolf river. May 12, 1854, 
being a supplementary treaty to one made October 18, 1848. All the lands ceded to that nation 
under the treaty last named was ceded to the United States — the Menomonees to receive from 
the United States a tract of country lying on Wolf river, being townships 28, 29 and 30, of ranges 
13, 14, 15, 16. 

25. A treaty was made with the Chippewas of Lake Superior, at La Pointe, on the 30th of 
September, 1854. That nation ceded to the United States all lands before owned by them in 
common with the Chippewas of the Mississippi — lying in the vicinity of Lake Superior in Wis- 



218 HLSTOriV i»F "WISCOXSIX. 

consin and Minnesota. 

26. On the 5ih of February, 1856, a treaty was held with the Stockbridge and Munsee tribes, 
at Stockbridge. All the remaining right and title to lands in the town of Stockbridge, possessed 
by them, was ceded to the United States ; and the said tribes were to receive in exchange a tract 
of land near the southern boundary of the Menomonee reservation, and by treaty made at 
Keshena, February 11, 1856, the Menomonees ceded two townships to locate the said tribes. 

With this last treaty, the Indian title to all the lands of the present state of Wisconsin was 
ceded to the United States government, except a few small reservations to certain tribes, and a 
perfect, indefeasible title obtained to all the territory within its borders. 

In the region of country which is now the state of Wisconsin, the settlements in early times 
were, as before stated, near Green Bay and at Prairie du Chien. Soon after the organization cf 
the Northwest territory, the subject of claims to private property therein received much attention. 
By an act of congress approved March 3, 1805, lands lying in the districts of Vincennes, Kas- 
kaskia and Detroit, which were claimed by virtue of French or British grants, legally and fully 
executed, or by virtue of grants issued under the authority of any former act of congress by 
either of the governors of the Northwest or Indiana territory, which had already been surveyed, 
were, if necessary, to be re-surveyed; and persons claiming lands under these grants were to have 
until November i, 1805, to give notice of the same. Commissioners were to be appointed to 
examine, and report at the next session of congress. An act was also passed, approved April 25, 
1806, to authorize the granting of patents for lands, according to government surveys that had 
been made, and to grant donation rights to certain claimants of land in the district of Detroit, 
and for other purposes Another act was approved May 1 1, 1820, reviving the powers of tlie 
commissioners for ascertaining and deciding on claims in the district of Detroit, and for settling the 
claims to land at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien, in the territory of Michigan ; the commis- 
sioners to have power to examine and decide on claims filed with the register of the land office, 
and not before acted on, in accordance with the laws respecting the same. The commissioners 
discharged the duties imposed on them, and in their report to congress in reference to the claims 
at Green Bay, they said that the antiquity of this settlement being, in their View, sufficiently 
established, and that they, being also satisfied that the Indian title must be considered to have 
been extinguished, decide favorably on the claims presented. About seventy-five titles were con- 
firmed, and patents for the same were sent to the proper parties by the government. In relation . 
to the Prairie du Chien titles, they reported " that they had met few difficulties in their investi- 
gations ; that, notwithstanding the high antiquity which may be claimed for the settlement of that 
place, no one perfect title founded on French or British grant, legally authenticated, had been 
successfully made out; and that but few deeds of any sort have been exhibited." This they 
attribute to the carelessness of the Canadians in respect to whatever concerned their land titles, and 
accords with whatever is known in this regard, of the French population throughout the country. 
They therefore came to the conclusion that whatever claim the people of the place possessed, 
and might have for a confirmation of their land titles, they must be founded upon proof of con 
tinned possession since the year 1796 The commissioners further say, that " since the ancestors 
of these settlers were cut off, by the treaty which gave the Canadas to the English, from all inter- 
course with their parent country, the people both of Prairie du Chien and Green Bay have been 
left, until within a few years, quite isolated, almost without any government but their own; and, 
although the present population of these settlements are natives of the countries which they 
inhabit, and, consequently, are by birth citizens of the northwest, yet, until a few years, they have 
had as little political connection with its government as their ancestors had with the British. 
Ignorant of their civil rights, careless of their land titles, docility, habitual hospitality, cheerful 



THE PT'BLIC DOMAIN 219 

submission to the requisitions of any government which may be set over them, are their universal 
characteristics." 

In reference to grants by the French and English governments, the commissioners say, they 
" have not had access to any public archives by which to ascertain with positive certain 'y, whether 
either the French or English ever effected a formal extinguishment of the Indian title at the 
mouth of the Wisconsin, which also may be said of the land now covered by the city of Detroit, 
that the French government was not accustomed to hold formal treaties for such purposes with 
the Indians, and when the lands have been actually procured from them, either by virtue of the 
assumed right of conquest, or by purchase, evidence of such acquisition is rather to be sought in 
the traditionary history of the country, or in the casual or scanty relations of travelers, than 
among collections of state papers. Tradition does recognize the fact of the extinguishment of 
the Indian title at Prairie du Chien by the old French government, before its surrender to the 
English; and by the same species of testimony, more positive because more recent, it is estab- 
lished also, that, in the year 1781, Patrick Sinclair, lieutenant governor of the province of Upper 
Canada, while the English government had jurisdiction over this country, made a formal purchase 
from the Indians of the lands comprehending the settlement of Prairie du Chien." 

The territories and states formed from the section known as the Northwest territory, 
were : 

I The Northwest territory proper (17S7-1800) having jurisdiction over all the lands referred 
to in the ordinance of 1787. In 1802, Ohio was organized as a state with its present boun- 
daries. 

1. Indiana terrritory was formed July 4, iSoo, with the seat of government at Vincennes 
That territory was made to include all of the northwest, except what afterward became the state 
of Ohio. 

3. Michigan territory was formed June 30, 1805. It was bounded on the south by a line 
drawn east from the south bend of Lake Michigan, on the west by the center of Lake Michigan, 
It did not include what is now Wisconsin. The upper peninsula was annexed in r836. The 
state of Michigan was formed January 26, 1837, with its present boundaries. 

4. Illinois territory was formed March 2, 1810. It included all of the Indiana territory west 
of the Wabash river and Vincennes, and a line running due north to the territorial line. All of 
Wisconsin was included therein, except what lay east of the line drawn north from Vincennes. 

5. Indiana was admitted as a state April 19, 1816, including all the territory of Indiana 
territory, except a narrow strip east of the line of Vincennes, and west of Michigan territory, her 
western boundary. 

6. Illinois was admitted as a state April 11, 1818. It included all of Illinois territory south 
of latitude 42° 30'. All of Wisconsin was added to Michigan territory. In the month of Octo- 
ber of that year, the counties of Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford were formed, comprising 
besides other territory, the whole of the present state of Wisconsin. 

7. Iowa district was attached to Michigan for judicial purposes, June 30, 1834, out of which 
Des Moines and Dubuque counties were formed. 

8. Wisconsin territory was formed April 20, 1836. The state was formed May 29, 1848. 
The territory of Wisconsin being a part of the Northwest territory claimed, and congress by 

direct action confirmed to her, all the rights and privileges secured by the ordinance of 1787, 
one of which was that congress should have authority to form one or two states in that part of 
the territory lying north of an east and west line, drawn through the southerly bend or extreme 
of Lake Michigan. Notwithstanding this plain provision of the ordinance, which is declared to 



220 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

be articles of compact between the original states and the people and states in the said territory, 
and forever to remain unalterable unless by consent ; yet congress, in establishing the boundaries 
of the state of Illinois, extended that state about sixty miles north of the line established by the 
ordinance. This action was claimed to be unjust and contrary to the spirit and letter of the 
compact with the original states. The legislative assembly of Wisconsin passed resolutions 
which were approved January 13, 1840, that it was inexpedient for the people of the territory to 
form a constitution and state government until the southern boundar)' to which they are so justly 
entitled by the ordinance of 17S7 shall be fully recognized by the parties of the original com- 
Jjact. Owing to various complications over which the territory had no control, her people never 
succeeded in obtaining from congress what they considered their just rights. 

It was also contended by many, that the portion of country set off to Michigan on Lake 
Superior given as a compensation in part for the strip of land awarded to Ohio from her south- 
ern border, should also have constituted a portion of Wisconsin, especially as Michigan never 
made the least claim to it by her delegate in congress, who was decidedly opposed to the exten- 
sion of Michigan beyond the limits of the lower peninsula. 

The first survey of the public lands northwest of the Ohio river, was made pursuant to an 
act of congress approved May 20, 1785 The geographer of the confederation was diected to 
commence the survey of the government lands on the north side of the river Ohio — the first line 
running north and south, to begin on said river at a point that should be found to be due north 
from the western termination of a line which had been run as the southern boundary of the state 
of Pennsylvania; the first line running east and west, to begin at the same point, and to extend 
through the whole territor)'. The survey comprised seven ranges, comyjosing ten counties of 
the present state of Ohio. Other surveys followed when the Indian title was extinguished. 
Thomas Hutchins, who held the office of geographer, is believed to be the inventor of the 
mode of laying out land which was then introduced by him, and is still in general use by the 
government. 

Soon after the government had acquired title to the Indian lands south of the Wisconsin 
river, the public authorities commenced a systematic survey of the lands, for the purpose of 
bringing the same into market at the earliest possible period. 

The public lands in Wisconsin are, as elsewhere in the west, surveyed in uniform rec- 
tangular tract-;, each six miles square, by lines running north and south, intersecting others 
running east and west. These townships are numbered from two lines called the principal 
meridian and the base line. The principal meridian by which the Wisconsin surveys are gov- 
erned is that known as the fourth, and extends from the Illinois boundary line to Lake Superior, 
at the mouth of Montreal river, about two hundred and eighty-two miles. It divides Grant 
from LaFayette county, and passes through the eastern parts of Vernon, Monroe, Jackson, Clark, 
Chippewa, and Ashland counties. The base line separates Wisconsin from Illinois in north 
latitude forty-two degrees, thirty minutes. There are nearly seventeen hundred townships in 
the state. Each township is subdivided into thirty-six sections by lines running parallel to the 
sides of the township, one mile apart. A section is, therefore, one mile square, and contains six 
hundred and forty acres. In fractional townships, each section is numbered the same as the 
corresponding section in whole townships. Each section is subdivided into half-mile squares, 
called quarter-sections, each containing one hundred and sixty acres, and the subdivision is 
carried still further into half-quarter or quarter-quarter sections. It is found necessary to estab- 
lish at stated intervals standard parallels, commonly called correction lines, to obviate the effect 
of the curvature of the earth's surface. The convergence in a single township is small, though 
quite perceptible, the actual excess in length of its south over its north line being in the state 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 221 

•about three rods. The townships north of the base line, therefore, become narrower toward the 
north, and if continued for too great a distance, this narrowing would cause serious inconvenience. 
In the state of Wisconsin there are four of these correction lines. The first is sixty miles 
north of the base line, and accordingly runs between townships ten and eleven. The second is 
between townships twenty and twenty-one, and so on. They are usually sixty miles apart. On 
these parallels, which form new base lines, fresh measurements are made from the principal 
meridian, and the corners of new townships are fixed six miles apart as on the original base line. 
This method of procedure not only takes up the error due to convergency of meridians, but 
arrests that caused by want of precision in the surveys already made. 

The northern or western sections of townships, which contain more or less than six hun- 
dred and forty acres, are called fractional sections, for the reason that the surplusage or 
deficiency arising from errors in surveying, and from other causes, is by law added to or 
deducted from the western or northern ranges of sections according as the error may be in run- 
ning the lines from east to west, or from north to south. 

As soon as the surveys were completed in southern Wisconsin and the Green Bay section, 
and a knowledge of the superior qualities of the land for agricultural purposes were known to 
the people, the emigration became large. In fact much land was taken possession of by settlers 
in advance of being surveyed and brought into market. As soon as the land offices at Green 
Bay, Mineral Point, and Milwaukee were located, public announcement was made by the govern- 
ment, of the time of the sale, when the lands were put up to the highest bidder, and such as were 
unsold were afterward subject to i)rivate entry. The first sales were held at Green Bay and 
Mineral Point in the year 1835. The sale at Milwaukee was in 1836. From the reports of the 
general land office, it appears that from 1S35 to 1S45 inclusive, there were sold at the three land 
offices from public sale, 2,958,592-5*5%- acres, amounting to $3,768,106.51. 

Fort Howard military reservation was set apart by order of the .president March 2, 1829, 
and comprised all the lands lying upon Fox river and Green bay, in township 24 north, range 20 
east, 4th principal meridian, being about four thousand acres. The lands were abandoned for 
military purposes, by the war department, December 4, 1850. By an act of congress approved 
March 3, 1863, the commissioner of the general land office was authorized and directed to cause 
the reservation, including the site of the fort, containing three and four-hundredths acres, situated 
in the county of Brown, between Fox river and Beaver Dam run, and which is not included in 
the confirmations to T. C. Dousman and Daniel Whitney, nor in the grant to the state of Wis- 
consm, under resolutions of congress approved April 25, 1862, granting lands to Wisconsin to 
aid in the construction of railroads, to be surveyed and subdivided into lots not less than one- 
fourth of an acre, and not more than forty acres, deducting such portions of the same as the 
public interest and convenience may require ; and when so surveyed and platted, to be sold sep- 
arately at auction. On the loth of November, 1864, under directions of the commissioner, the 
lands were offered for sale at auction at the fort. .\bout one-half of the lands were sold, and 
purchased by actual settlers, and but few for speculation. The fort and the lands contiguous 
were sold for six thousand four hundred dollars. The other lands sold brought about the sum 
of nineteen thousand dollars. 

That portion of the reservation unsold was to be subject to private entry at the appraised 
value, and that portion lying between Duck creek and Beaver Dam creek, was subject to entry 
as other public lands were offered. 

On the 20th of May, 1868, a joint resolution of congress was approved, by which the com- 
missioner of the general land office was authorized and directed to cause a patent to be issued 
to the Chicago & Northwestern railroad company in pursuance of a resolution passed by con- 



222 Ili^ToHV (»F ■wisroxsix. 

gress, granting the same to the state of Wisconsin, approved April 25,1862, and by act of the 
legislature approved June 16, 1862, granting the same to that company for eighty acres of land, 
as was .surveyed and approved by said commissioner June ii. 1S64 The lands thus donated 
are now used by the railroad company for their depot grounds 

The Fort Crawford military reservation was purchased from J H. Lockwood and James D. 
Doty by the government in the year 1829, and covered the front and main portions of farm lots 
numbered thirty -three and thirty-four, of the private land claims at Prairie du ('hien, and com- 
prised about one hundred and sixty acres. Fort Crawford was built on this tract in 1829, 1830 
and 1 83 1. There was also a reservation of section eighteen, township seven, north of range 
four west, known as the Cattle Yard. This land was at the mouth of the Kickapoo river, and 
is now known as the village of Wauzeka. In addition to these lands which were located in Wis- 
consin, there was a reservation of lands lying on the west side of the Mississippi river, in Iowa. 
The lands in Wisconsin were relinquished by the secretary of wai, January 10, 1851, and were 
originally set apart by the president of the United States, February 17 1S43. 

In the month of .\pril, 1857, the secretary of war authorized Hon H. M. Rice, of Minne- 
sota, to sell that part of the reservation not improved, in tracts not exceeding forty acres each; 
and, in the month of June of that year, he sold at auction five hundred and seven acres of the 
reserve opposite Fort Crawford, none of which was claimed by actual settlers ; and in the month 
of December, 1857, he sold the remainder to claimants of lands, also on the west side, and the 
section in Wisconsin known as the Cattle Yard, amounting to 1771% acres. A portion of this 
reservation was subdivided into town lots, 80 by 140 feet, with streets 66 feet and alleys 20 feet 
wide November 17, 1864, the acting commissioner of the general land office, by order 
of the war department, offered for sale at public auction at La Crosse the reservation at Fort 
Crawford, which had been surveyed and subdivided into town lots, eighty by one hundred and 
forty feet, with streets sixty-five feet and alleys twenty feet wide, conforming to the plat of the 
village of Prairie du Chien. The lands unsold were subsequently opened to private entry and 
disposed of. 

The lands of the Fort Winnebago reservation were set apart by order of the president, 
February 9, 1835, and consisted of the following tenitory: sections two, three, and that part of 
four lying east of Fox river, and fractional section nine, all in township twelve, north of range 
nine east , also fractional section thirty-three, in township thirteen, north of range nine east, 
lying west of Fox river, and the fraction of section four, township twelve north, of range nine 
east, lying west of claim numbered twenty-one of A. Grignon, and adjacent to Fort Winnebago, 
reserved by order of the president. July 29, 185 1. the whole amounting to about four thousand 
acres. September the first, 1853, these lands were by order of the president offered for sale 
at public auction at the fort, by F. H. Masten, assistant quartermaster United States army, 
having previously been surveyed into forty acre lots, and were purchased by J. B. Martin, G. C. 
Tallman, W. H. Wells, Wm. Wier, N. H. Wood, M. R. Keegan, and others. 

The first land offices in Wisconsin were established under an act of congress approved 
June 26, 1834, creating additional land distncts in the states of Illinois and Missouri, and in the 
territory north of the state of Illinois. The first section provides " that all that tract lying north 
of the state of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and southeast of the Wisconsin and Fox 
rivers, included in the present territory of Michigan, shall be divided by a north and south line, 
drawn from the northern boundary of Illinois along the range of township line west of Fort 
Winnebago to the Wisconsin river, and to be called — the one on the west side, the Wisconsin 
land district, and that on the east side the Green Bay land district of the territory of Michigan, 
which two districts shall embrace the country north of said rivers when the Indian title shall be 



THE Pl'BLIC IlOMAIX. 223 

extinguished, and the Green Bay district may be divided so as to form two districts, when 
the president shall deem it proper;" and by section three of said act, the president was author- 
ized to appoint a register and receiver for such office, as soon as a sufficient number of townships 
are surveyed. 

An act of congress, approved June 15, 1836, divided the Green Bay land district, as estab- 
lished in 1834, " by a line commencing on the western boundary of said district, and running 
thence east between townships ten and eleven north, to the line between ranges seventeen and 
eighteen east, thence north between said ranges of townships to the line between townships 
twelve and thirteen north, thence east between said townships twelve and thirteen to Lake 
Michigan ; and all the country bounded north by the division line here described, south by the 
base line, east by Lake Michigan, and west by the division line between ranges eight and nine 
east," to be constituted a separate district and knovirn as the " Milwaukee land district." It 
included the present counties of Racine, Kenosha, Rock, Jefferson, Waukesha, Walworth and 
Milwaukee, and parts of Green, Dane, Washington, Ozaukee, Dodge and Columbia. 

An act was approved March 3, 1847, creating an additional land district in the territory. 
All that portion of the public lands lying north and west of the following boundaries, formed a 
district to be known as the Chippewa land district: commencing at the Mississippi river on the 
line between townships twenty-two and twenty-three north, running thence east along said line 
to the fourth principal meridian, thence north along said meridian line to the line dividing town- 
ships twenty-nine and thirty, thence east along such township line to the Wisconsin river, thence up 
the main channel of said river to the boundary line between the state of Michigan and the territory 
of Wisconsin. The counties now included in this district are Pepin, Clark, Eau Claire, Dunn, 
Pierce, St. Croix, Polk, Barron, Burnett, Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Taylor, Chippewa, and parts 
of Buffalo, Trempealeau and Jackson. 

An act of congress, approved March 2, 1849, changed the location of the land office in the 
Chippewa district from the falls of St. Croix to Stillwater, in the county of St. Croix, in the 
proposed territory of Minnesota; and, by section two of the act, an additional land office and 
district was created, comprising all the lands in Wisconsin not included in the districts of land 
subject to sale at Green Bay, Milwaukee, or Mineral Point, which was to be known as the Western 
land district, and the president was authorized to designate the site where the office should be 
licated. Willow River, now Hudson, was selected. The district was usually known as the St. 
Croix and Chippewa district, and included St. Croix, La Pointe, and parts of Chippewa and 
Marathon counties. By an act of congress, approved July 30, 1852, so much of the public lands 
in Wisconsin as lay within a boundary line commencing at the southwest corner of township 
fifteen, north of range two east of the fourth principal meridian, thence running due east to the 
southeast corner of township fifteen, north of range eleven, east of the fourth principal meridian, 
thence north along such range line to the north line of the state of Wisconsin, thence westwardly 
along said north line to the line between ranges one and two east of fourth principal meridian, 
thence south to the place of beginning, were formed into a new district, and known as the 
Stevens Point land district, and a land office located at that place. 

The boundaries enclosed the present counties of Juneau, .\dams, Marquette, Green Lake, 
Waushara, Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, and Shawano. By tlie same law, the 
La Crosse land district was formed of the following territory : " Commencing at a point where 
the line between townships ten and eleven north touches the Mississippi river, thence due east to 
the fourth principal meridian, thence north to the line between townships fourteen and fifteen 
north, thence east to the southeast corner of township fifteen north, of range one east of the 



224 HISTORV OF WiSCOXblN 

fourtii principal meridian, thence north on the range line to the south line of township number 
thirty-one norih, thence west on the line between townships number thirty and thirty-one to tlie 
Chippewa river, thence down said river to its junction with the Mississippi river, thence down 
said river to the place of beginning." The present counties of Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Buf- 
falo, Trempealeau, Eau Claire, Clark, and parts of Juneau and Chippewa were included in 
its limits. 

By act of congress, approved February 24, 1 85 5, an additional district was formed of all that 
portion of the Willow river land district lying north of the line dividing townships forty and 
forty-one, to be called the Fond du Lac district — the office to be located by the president as he 
might from time to time direct. The present counties of Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and part 
of Burnett were included within its boundaries. 

By an act of congress, approved March 3, 1857, so much of the districts of land subject to 
sale at La Crosse and Hudson, in the state of Wisconsin, contained in the following boundaries, 
were constituted a new district, to be known as the Chippewa land district : North of the line 
dividing townships twenty-four and twenty-five north ; south of the line dividing townships forty 
and forty-one north ; west of the line dividing ranges one and two east; and east of the line 
dividing ranges eleven and twelve west. The location of the office was to be designated by the 
president as the public interest might require. The present counties of Chippewa, Taylor, Eau 
Claire and Clark were in this district. 

There are at the present time six land offices in the state. They are located at Menasha, 
Falls of St. Croix, Wausau, La Crosse, Bayfield and Eau Claire. By the provisions of law, when 
the number of acres of land in any one district is reduced to one hundred thousand acres, sub- 
ject to private entry, the secretary of the interior is reiiuired to discontinue the office, and the 
lands remaining unsold are transferred to the nearest land office, to be there subject to sale. The 
power of locating these offices rests with the president (unless otherwise directed by law), who is 
also authorized to change and re-establish the boundaries of land districts whenever, in his 
opinion, the public service will be subserved thereby. 

The pre-emption law of 1830 was intended for the benefit of actual settlers against compe- 
tition in open market with non-resident purchasers. It gave every person who cultivated any 
part of a quarter section the previous year, and occupied the tract at the date mentioned, the 
privilege of securing it by payment of the minimum price at any time before the day fixed for 
the commencement of the public sale. To avail himself of this provision he was to file proof 
of cultivation and occupancy. As men frequently located claims in advance of the survey, it 
occasionally happened that two or more would find themselves upon the same quarter section^ 
in which case the pre-emption law permitted two joint occupants to divide the quarter section 
equally between them, whereupon each party received a certificate from the land office, author- 
izing him to locate an additional eighty acres, elsewhere in the same land district, not interfering 
with other settlers having the right of preference. This was called a Jloating right. This jiro- 
vision of the law was ingeniously perverted from its plain purpose in various ways. 

As fast as these evasions came to the notice of the department, all certificates given to 
occupants of the same quarter section in excess of the two first, or to more than one member of 
the same family, to employees, to any person who had not paid for eighty acres originally 
occupied, as well as those which were not located at the time of such payment, and the additional 
tract paid for before the public sale, were held to be worthless or fraudulent ; but a large number 
of these certificates had been issued, and passed into the hands of speculators and designing 
men, and were a source of almost endless vexation and annoyance to settlers. The law of 1830 



THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 226 

expired by limitation in one year from its passage, but was revived by the law of 1834 for two 
years. In the interim no settler could obtain his land by pre-emption. The law of 1834 extended 
only to those who had made cultivation in 1S33, consequently the settlers of later date were 
excluded from its benefits. Meanwhile the fraudulent floats were freely used to dispossess actual 
settlers as late as 1835. 

The pre-emption law of congress, approved September 4, 1841, provided that every person 
who should make a settlement in person on public land, and erect a dwelling, should be author- 
ized to enter a quarter section (one hundred and sixty acres), at the minimum price (one dollar 
and twenty-five cents per acre), and thus secure the same against competition; and if any person 
should settle upon and improve land subject to private entry, he might within thirty days give 
notice to the register of the land office of his intention to claim the land settled upon, and might 
within one year upon making proof of his right, enter the land at the minimum price. 

At the public land sales at Mineral Point, held in 1S35, all those tracts on which leaa was 
Found, or on which it was supposed to exist, were reserved to the United States, and were leased 
imder certain regulations by the government for a rent of ten per centum of all the lead raised. 
The quantity of land thus reserved was estimated at one million acres. Considerable difficulty 
ivas found in collecting these rents, and subsequently it w-as abandoned, as the amount 
expended in collecting exceeded the value of the lead collected. In the period of four years 
:he government suffered a loss of over nineteen thousand dollars. 

The act of congress, approved July 11, 1846, authorized the sale of the reserved mineral 
ands in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, and provided that, after six months' public notice, the lands 
should not be subject to the rights of pre-emption until after the same had been offered at public 
iale, when they should be subject to private entry. The law also provided, that, upon satisfac- 
;ory proof being made to the register and receiver of the proper land office, any tract or tracts 
■}( land containing a mine or mines of lead ore actually discovered and being worked, would be 
sold in such legal subdivisions as would include lead mines, and no bid should be received 
iherefor at less than the sum of two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and if such tract or tracts 
should not be sold at such public sale, at such price, nor should be entered at private sale within 
:welve months thereafter, the same should be subject to sale as other lands. This act was 
:hanged by an act approved March 3, 1S47, providing that any one being in possession by 
ictual occupancy of a mine discovered prior to the passage of this act, who should pay the same 
•ents as those who held leases from the secretary of war, should be entitled to purchase the lands 
jrior to the day of sale at five dollars per acre. Mineral lands were to be offered for sale in forty 
icre pieces, and no bids were to be received less than five dollars per acre, and if not sold they 
vere then to be subject to private entry at the same price. In 1847 or 1848 the reserved mineral 
ands were sold at public sale at Mineral Point at two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and they 
vera all disposed of at that price. 

Soon after the formation of Wisconsin territory, an act was passed by its legislature, 
ipproved January 5, 1838, incorporating the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company, and by 
m act of congress approved June 18 of the same year, a grant of land was made to aid in the 
;onstruction of the canal. The grant consisted of the odd-numbered sections on a belt often 
niles in width from Lake Michigan to Rock river, amounting to 139,190 acres. Of those lands 
^3,447 acres were sold at public sale in July, 1839, at the minimum price of two dollars and fifty 
rents per acre. Work was commenced on the canal at Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee river for 
I short distance from its outlet was improved by the construction of a dam across the river, 
vhich was made available for manufacturing and other purposes. A canal was also built about 
I mile in length and forty feet wide, leading from it down on the west bank of the river. Much 



226 HISTORY (IF WISCONSIK. 

dissatisfaction subsequently arose ; the purchasers at this sale, and others occupying these canal 
and reserved lands felt the injustice of being compelled to pay double price for their lands, and 
efforts were made to repeal all laws authorizing further sales, and to ask congress to repeal the 
act making the grant. The legislation on the subject of this grant is voluminous. In 1862 the 
legislature of the state passed an act to ascertain and settle the liabilities, if any, of Wisconsin 
and the company, and a board of commissioners was appointed for that purpose. At the session 
of the legislature in 1863, the committee made a report with a lengthy o])inion of the attorney-gen- 
eral of the state. The views of that officer were, that the company had no valid claims for damages 
against the state. In this opinion the commissioners concurred. On the 23d of March, 1875, 
an act was approved by the governor, giving authority to the attorney-general to discharge and 
release of record any mortgage before executed to the late territory of Wisconsin, given to secure 
the purchase money or any part thereof of any lands granted by congress to aid in the construc- 
tion of this canal. The quantity of lands unsold was subsequently made a part of the 500,000 
acre tract granted by congress for school purposes. It is believed the whole rnatter is now closed 
against further legislative enactments. 

The next grant of lands made by congress lor internal improvements in Wisconsin, was one 
approved August 8, 1846, entitled "an act to grant a certain quantity of land to aid in the 
improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and to connect the same by canal." By this act 
there was granted to Wisconsin on her becoming a state, for improving the navigation of the 
above-named streams, and constructing the canal to unite the same, a quantity of land equal to 
one-half of three sections in width on each side of Fox river, and the lakes through which it 
passes from its mouth to the point where the portage canal should enter the same, and each side 
of the canal from one stream to the other, reserving the alternate sections to the United States 
with certain provisions in relation thereto. On the 3d of August, 1854, an act of congress was 
approved, authorizing the governor of Wisconsin to select the balance of lands to which the state 
was entitled to under the provisions of the act of 1846, out of any unsold government lands sub- 
ject to private entry in the state, the quantity to be ascertained upon the principles which gov- 
erned the final adjustment of the grant to the state of Indiana, for the Wabash and Erie canal, 
approved May 9, 1S48. In the years 1854 and 1855, acts of congress were ])assed, defining and 
enlarging the grant. Under the grants of 1846, 1854 and 1855, the number of acres donated for 
this purpose and certified to the state, was 674,100. 

After the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, by an act of its legislature, approved 
.\ugjst 8, 1S48, a board of public works was created, through which the work of improving the 
said rivers, by the application thereto of the jjroceeds of the sale of the lands granted by con- 
gress, was undertaken by the state. 

It soon became apparent that the moneys realized from the sale of lands were insufficient to 
meet the obligations of the state issued by its board of public works as they became due ; and 
in 1853 the work was turned over to the Fox and Wisconsin Improvement company, a corpora- 
tion created under an act of the legislature of Wisconsin approved July 6, 1S53. In 1856, by an 
act of the legislature of Wisconsin, approved October 3, 1856, the lands granted by congress 
then unsold were granted by the state, through the said company, to trustees, with power to 
sell, and to hold the proceeds in trust for the payment of state indebtedness, the completion 
of the work, thereafter for the payment of bonds issued by the said company, and the balance, if 
any, for the company itself. 

In February, 1866, the trustees, in execution of the powers contained in the deed of trust 
made to them, and pursuant to a judgment of the circuit court of Fond du Lac county, sold at 
public sale at Appleton, Wisconsin, the works of improvement and the balance of lands granted 



THE PT^BLIC DOMATX. 227 

by congress then unsold, and applied the proceeds to the purposes expressed in the deed of trust. 
The proceeds were sufficient to pay in full the expenses of the trust, the then outstanding 
state indebtedness, and to provide a fund sufficient to complete the work according to the plan 
specified in the act approved October 3, 1856. 

Under an act of the legislature of AVisconsin r,pp;oved April 13, 1861, and the acts amend- 
atory thereof, the purchasers at said sale, on the 15th day of August, 1S66, filed their certificate 
in the office of the secretary of state, and thereb)' became incorporated as the Green Bay and 
Mississippi canal company, holding, as such company, the said works of improvement. 

At a subsequent date, under instructions from the engineer department of the United States, 
the surveys of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers were placed in the charge of General G. K. War- 
ren, and by act of congress approved July 7, 1870, the secretary of war was authorized to 
appoint a board of arbitrators to ascertain how much the government should pay to the suc- 
cessors of the Improvement company, the Green Bay and Mississippi canal company, for the 
transfer of all its property and rights; and by a subsequent act, approved June 10, 1872, an 
appropriation was made therefor. 

The legislation on matters connected with the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement would 
make a chapter of itself. The work is now in charge of the government, and will be prosecuted 
to completion in a sati!;factory manner. 

On the agth of May, 1848, an act was approved by the president "to enable the people of 
Wisconsin territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such 
state into the Union," by which certain propositions were to be submitted to the convention 
which were to be acted upon, and subsequently submitted to the people for their approval. The 
first constitutional convention was held in October, 1846, and, having framed a constitution, it 
\vas submitted to a vote of the people at the election in 1847, and it was rejected. The second 
convention met December 15, 1847, and, having formed a constitution, it was adopted by the 
people at the election in 1848. The following are the propositions proposed by congress : 

1. That section sixteen numbered in every township of the public lands of said state, and 
where such section has been sold or otherwise disposed of, other lands equivalent thereto, and 
as contiguous as may be, shall be granted to the said state for the use of schools. 

2. That seventy-two sections, or two entire townships, of land set apart and reserved for 
the use and support of a university by act of congress approved June 12, 1838, are hereby granted 
and conveyed to the state, to be appropriated solely to the use and support of such university in 
such manner as the legislature may prescribe. 

3. That ten entire sections of land to be selected and located under the direction of the 
legislature, in legal subdivisions of not less than one quarter of a section from any of the unap- 
propriated lands belonging to the United States within the state are granted to the state for 
completing the public buildings, or for the erection of others at the seat of government, under 
the direction of the legislature. 

4. That all salt-springs within the state, not exceeding twelve in number, shall be granted to 
the state, to be selected by the legislature, and when selected, to be used or disposed of on such 
terms, conditions, and regulations as the legislature shall direct. 

The title to all lands and other property which accrued to the territory of Wisconsin by 
grant, gift, purchase, forfeiture, escheat, or otherwise, were, by the provisions of the constitution 
of the state, vested in the state ; and the people of the state, in their right of sovereignty, were 
declared to possess the ultimate property in and to all lands within its jurisdiction ; and all 
lands, the title of which shall fail from a defect of heirs, shall revert or escheat to the people. 

The act of congress for the admission of the state into the Union gave formal assent to the 



228 HISTOKV OF WISCOXSIX 

grant relative to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvennent, and the lands reserved to the United 
States by said grant, and also the grant to the territory of Wisconsin, for the purpose of aiding 
in opening a canal to connect the waters of Lake >[ichigan with those of Rock river, were to be 
offered for sale at the same minimum price, and subject to the same rights of pre-emption as 
Other public lands of the United States. 

By the provisions of the state constitution, the secretary of state, the state treasurer and 
attorney-general, were constituted a board of commissioners for the sale of the school and 
university lands, and for the investment of tlie funds arising therefrom. In the year 1850 the 
commissioners put into market, for the first time, the school lands whicli liad been donated to the 
state. The total quantity of lands offered was 148,021, 44-100 acres, which sold for the sum of 
$444,265.19. 

By an act of congress, approved September 4, 1841, there were granted to the state 300,000 
acres of land, which were, by act of the territorial legislature of 1849, appropriated to the school 
fund, and the unsold lands of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company, amounting to about 
140,000 acres, were to be included as a part of the above grant. These lands, and the sixteenth 
section of each township, make up the whole of the school lands of the state. The whole 
number of acres sold up to the year 1S77 is 1,243,984 acres, and there remain unsold, subject 
to entry, 216,016 acres. 

The state university land grant was made in 1838, and seventy-two sections set apart and 
reserved. The lands were selected in iS;s and 1S46. On the 15th of December, 1854, an act 
of congress was approved, relinquishing to the state the lands reserved for the salt-springs, and 
seventy-two sections were granted in lieu thereof, in aid of the university of the state The 
number of acres amounts to 92,160, all of which have been sold except 4,407 acres, which are 
subject to entry. Under the re-organization and enlargement of the university, under provisions 
of chapter 114, of general laws of 1866, section thirteen provides, among other things, that the 
income of a fund to be derived from the sales of the two hundred and forty thousand acies, 
granted by congress by act approved July 2, 1862, entitled : " .\n act donating lands to the 
several states and territories which may provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and 
mechanic arts," be devoted to the state university, and the funds arising therefrom to be known 
as the "agricultural college fund." All of the grant of lands have been sold except 51,635 acre-. 
The quantity of lands donated by act of congress August 6, 1846, for the purpose of completing or 
erecting public buildings at the seat of government, known as "Capitol Lands," amounted to 
ten entire sections, or six thousand four hundred acres. A grant of lands was made to the state 
by act of congress, approved SeptembL-r 28, 1850, of all the swamp and overflowed lands within 
its limits. The total number of acres of this grant, as certified to the state from the government, 
to the year 1877, is 1,869,677. 

A grant of land was made by congress, apjjroved March 3, 1863, for the construction of a 
military mad from Fort Wilkins, Michigan, to Fort Howard, Wisconsin, of every alternate 
section of public lands, designated by even numbers for three sections in width on each side of 
said road, and subject to the disposal of the legislature. In 1865 sales of land were made to 
the number of 85,961.89 acres, which realized the sum of $114,856.54. 

An act of congress was approved June 25, 1864, granting lands to the state to build a military 
road from Wausau, Wisconsin, to Ontonagon, on Lake Superior, of every alternate section of 
land designated as odd sections, for three sections in width on each side of the road. The grant 
was accepted by the state by law, approved April 10, 1865. 

An act was also passed by congress, approved .\pril 10, 1866, granting to the state of Wis- 
consin a donation of public lands to aid in the construction of a breakwater and harbor and ship 



TIIH IM BLlt: DuilAIX. 229 

canal at the head of Sturgeon bay, Wis., to connect the waters of Green bay with Lake Michigan. 
The grant was for 200,000 acres of land. The grant was accepted by the legislature of 186S. 
[n 1 874, the same body by resolution transferred to the Sturgeon bayandLake Michigan ship canal 
ind harbor company 32,342 acres, and the remaining portion was authorized to be sold for agri- 
:-ultural purposes by said company. 

The first railroad grant in Wisconsin was by act of congress, approved June 3, 1S56, by the 
irst section of which there was granted to the state, for the purpose of aiding in the construction 
)f a railroad from Madison or Columbus, by the way of Portage City, to the St. Croix river or 
ake, between townships twenty-five and thirty-one, and from thence to the west end of Lake 
Superior and to Bayfield ; and from Fond du Lac, on Lake Winnebago, northerly to the state line,. 
;very alternate section of land designated by odd numbers, for si.x sections in width on each side 
)f said roads, respectively; the land to be applied exclusively in the construction of said roads,. 
md to no other purpose whatever, and subject to the disposal of the legislature, and the same 
;hall remain public highways for the use of the government, free from toll and other charges- 
ipon the transportation of property or troops of the United States, with other conditions as to 
he disposal of said lands. 

The grant was accepted by the legislature by an act approved October 8, 1856, and on the 
:ith of the same month an act was approved granting a portion of the lands to the La Crosse & 
Mississippi railroad company, who were to carry out all the requirements of the original grant. 
\. supiilementary act was approved the same session, October 13, incorporating the Wisconsin & 
superior railroad, which company was required to commence the construction of their road on 
)r before January i, 1857, and to complete the same to Oshkosh before August i, 1858. Of this 
and grant John W. Cary says: "That portion of the grant given to aid in the construction of 
I railroad northerly to the state line was conferred on the Wisconsin & Superior railroad company, 
rhis company was organized in the interest of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac railroad 
:ompany, and that part of the grant was transferred to it. The road was, in 1859, extended to 
)shkosli, and thence to Menasha, and finally to Green Bay. In the panic of 1857, the company- 
ailed to meet its obligations, but was afterward enabled to go on, and continued! in possession 
mtil June 2, 1859, when its road was sold on the foreclosures of the mortgages given thereon ; 
ind on the sixth of the same month the present Chicago & Northwestern railroad company was 
irganized under the statute, by purchasers at said sale, and took possession." 

.V large portion of the original grant was given for the construction of a road from Madison 
ir Columbus to the St. Croix river, as before stated. The La Crosse company, during the years 
857 and 1858, completed its main line to La Crosse; the Watertown line, from Watertown to 
Columbus, and partially graded the line from Madison to Portage City. Neither it nor its suc- 
essors ever received any part of the lands of the land grant. 

In 1856 and 1857, the La Crosse & Milwaukee railroad graded most of the line from Madi- 
on to Portage. After the failure of the company, this line was abandoned, and so remained 
intd 1870, when a new company was organized, under the name of the Madison & Portage City 
ailroad company. In 1873, an act was passed chartering the Tomah & Lake St. Croix railroad 
ompany, and repealing and annulling that portion of the land grant which bestowed the lands 
rom Tomah to Lake St. Croix upon the La Crosse company, and bestowing the same upon the 
ompany chartered by thi? act. This road is known as the West Wisconsin railroad. 

.\n act of congress was approved May 5, 1864, granting lands to aid in the construction of 
ertain rnads in the state. This was a re-enactment of the law of 1856, and divided the grant 
n three sections, one of which was for a road from a point on the St. Croix river or lake, between. 



230 



IIISTOKV OF WISCONSIN". 



townships twenty.five and thirty-one, to the west end of Lake Superior, and from some point on 
the line of said road, to be selected by the state, to Bayfield - every alternate section designated 
by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of said road, with an indemnity extending 
twenty miles on each side, was granted, under certain regulations ; another, for aidmg in building 
a road from Tomah to the St. Croi.x river, between townships twenty-five and thirty-one — every 
alternate section by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of the road ; another 
for aiding and constructing a railroad from Portage City, Berlin, Doty's Island, or Fond du Lac, 
as the legislature may determine, in a northwestern direction, to Bayfield, on Lake Superior, and 
a grant of every alternate section designated by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each 
side of said road, was donated. 

The legislature of 1S65 failed to agree upon a disposition of the grant. The succeedi.,^^ 
legislature conferred the grant partly upon the " Winnebago & Lake Superior Railroad Company, 
and partly upon the " Portage & Superior Railroad Company," the former April 6, 1866, and the 
latter April 9, 1866. The two companies were consolidated, under the name of the "Portage, 
Winnebago & Superior Railroad," by act of the legislature, March 6, 1869, and by act of legis- 
lature approved February 4, 1871, the name was changed to the "Wisconsin Central Railroad. 



HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 

By JOSEPH HOBBINS, M.I). 

An article on state health, necessarily embracing the etiology, or causes of disease, involves 
the discussion of the geographical position of the state; its area, physical features; its elevations, 
depressions; water supply; drainage; its mean level above the sea; its geology; climatology; 
the nationality of its people; their occupations, habits, food, education; and, indeed, of all the 
physical, moral and mental influences which affect the public health. 

Geographical Position. 

The geographical position of Wisconsin, considered in relation to health, conveys an imme- 
diate and favorable impression, which is at once confirmed by a reference to the statistical .ul.l^ 
of the United States. On its north it is bounded by Lake Superior, Minnesota, and the northern 
peninsula of Michigan; on the south by Illinois; on the east by Lake Michigan, and on the 
west by the Mississippi. It lies between 42° 3°' and 46" 55 ' N- latitude, and between 87° and ^ 
92° 50' W. long.; is 285 miles long from north to south, and 255 in breadth from east to west, . 
giving it an area of some 53,924 square miles, or 34,5 11,360 acres. Its natural surface divisions, j 
or proportions, are 16 per cent, of prairie, 50 of timber, 19 of openings, 15 of marsh, mineral 
undefined. North of 45° the surface is nearly covered with vast forests of pine. The proportion 
of the state cultivated is nearly one-sixth. 

Physical Features. 

Among these, its lacustrine character is most conspicuous, so much so that it may not inaptly | 
be called the state of a thousand lakes, its smaller ones being almost universal and innumerable 



HEAJ/nr oi' wiscoNjsix. ■ 231 

[t has an almost artificially perfect arrangement of its larger rivers, both for supply and drainage. 
Is rolling in its surface, having several dividing ridges or water sheds, and varies from 600 to 1,600 
feet above the level of the sea, Blue Mounds being 1,729 feet above sea level. Its pine and 
;hickly wooded lands are being rapidly denuded, and to some extent converted to agricultural 
purposes ; its marshes in the north are being reclaimed for cranberry cultivation, and in the more 
ihickly settled parts of the state for hay purposes. The surface of the state is beautifully diver- 
sified w'th stream, waterfall and rapids; richly wooded bluffs several hundred feet in height, 
issuming the most romantic and pleasing forms, and composed of sandstone, magnesian 
imestone, granite, trap, etc. The health and summer resorts of Wisconsin are illustrative of its- 
jeauty, and its numerous mineral springs have long since formed an important feature of its 
character for salubrity. 

Geology. 

The geology of Wisconsin does not require from us but a very general notice, as it is only- 
rom its relation to disease that we have to consider it. This relation is in a measure apparent 
n the fact that everywhere the topographical features are governed by the strata below them, 
rhe relationship will be seen still farther in the chemical or sanitary influence of the geological 
itructures. Through the greater part of the south half of the state limestone is found, the cliff 
)revailing in the mineral region, and the blue in the other parts; while in the north part of the 
tate the primitive rocks, granite, slate, and sandstone prevail. South of the Wisconsin river 
landstone in layers of limestone, forming the most picturesque bluffs, abounds. While west of 
l,ake Michigan e.\tends up to these rocks the limestone formation, being rich in timber or prairie 
and. Sandstone is found underneath the blue limestone. The general dip of the stratified 
ocks of the state is toward the south, about S feet to the mile. 

Medical geology treats of geology so far only as it affects health. Thus, some diluvial soils'- 
ind sands are known to be productive of malarial fevers ; others, of a clayey character, retaining 
vater, are productive of cold damp, and give rise to pulmonary and inflammatory diseases ; 
vhile others still, being very porous, are promotive of a dry and equable atmosphere. In 
he Potsdam rocks arise our purest waters and best supply, while our magnesian limestone rocks- 
a good quality of this kind of rock being composed of nearly equal parts of carbonate of lime 
.nd carbonate of magnesia) affect the water to the extent of producing simple diarrhoea in those 
inaccustomed to drinking it, as is observed in southern visitors, and was especially noticeable 
n the rebel prisoners at Camp Randall, though singularly enough do not seem to produce 
tone and gravel, as is alleged of the same kind of water in the north of England. Why this is 
o — if so- is a question of some interest. Goitre and cretinism are both attributed to the use 
if the same magnesian limestone water. Goitre is by no means an uncommon affection here, 
>ut not common enough, perhaps, to warrant us in thinking its special cause is in the water. 
Joiling the water is a preventive of all injurious effects. There is still another objection — partic- 
ilarly applicable to cities — to this kind of water, the carbonates of lime and magnesia which 
t contains, not simply making it hard, but giving it the power to promote the decomposition of 
)rganic matters, and thus where the soil is sandy or porous, endangering the purity of our well- 
k-ater. Geology in general affects all our soils and their products; all our drainage; even our 
irchitecture, the material with which we build. Our building stone for half of the state is a 
nagnesian limestone, a rather soft or poor quality of which will absorb one-third of its bulk of 
vater, or two and a half gfJlons to the cubic foot, while most kinds of sandstone are nearly as 
)orous as loose sand, and in some of them the penetrability for air and water is the same. (A 
ingle brick of poor quality will absorb a pint of water). Such materials used in the construction 



232 IIISTOKV Ol' "WISCOXSIN. 

of our dwellings, without precautionary measures, give rise to rheumatism, other grave diseases, 
and loss of strength. Besides, this character of stone absorbs readily all kinds of liquid and 
gaseous impurities, and though hardening in dry air, decays soon when, exposed to underground 
moisture. The material of which our roads are made, as well as the kind of fuel we use in our 
homes, have the same unquestionable relationship to geology and disease. 

Drainage. 

The natural drainage of the state, bearing in mind that the mean elevation of its hydro- 
graphical axis is about i,ooo feet above the sea level, is as excellent as it is obvious. (A line 
running from Lake Michigan across the state to the Mississippi, shows an elevation of about 500 
feet). North its drainage is by a few rapid but insignificant streams into Lake Superior, while 
east it increases greatly and enters Lake Michigan by way of Green bay. The principal part of 
the supply and drainage, however, is from the extreme north to the southwest through the center 
of the state, by five large rivers, which empty themselves into the Mississippi at almost equal 
distances from each other. 

Climatology. 

The climatology of Wisconsin will be exhibited in the observat'ons taken at different times, 
for longer or shorter periods, and at different points of the state. But it must be borne in mind 
that climate depends quite as much and very frequently more upon the physical surroundings, 
upon the presence of large bodies of water, like our lakes, upon large forests, like our pineries, 
like our heavy hard-woods, and of land elevations and depressions, upon isothermal lines, etc., as 
it does upon latitude. Our historic .period is of a character too brief for us to assume to speak 
of our climate, or of all the changing causes which influence it — in a positive manner, our 
horticultural writers, to make the difficulty still greater, affirming that it \\di.% several climates within 
itself; still, sufficient data have been gathered from sufficiently reliable sources to enable us to 
form a tolerably accurate idea of the subject. 

The great modifiers of our climate are our lakes. These, bounding as they do, the one, 
Lake Superior (600 feet above the level of the sea. 420 miles long and 160 broad), on the north 
side of the state, and the other, Lake Michigan (1578 feet above the sea level, 320 miles long and 
84 broad), on the east side of the state, serve to govern the range of the thermometer and the 
mean temperature of the seasons, as much as they are governed in New England by the ocean. 
Our climate is consequently very much like that of the New England sea-board. They both 
exhibit the same extremes and great extremes, have the same broadly marked continental features 
at some seasons, and decided tropical features at others. It is of special interest in this con- 
nection to know that the climate between the eastern coast and the lakes increases in rigor a~ 
one advances west until the lakes are reached, and again becomes still more rigorous as one 
advances into the interior west of the lakes, thus affording proof, if proof were wanting, of the 
modifying and agreeable influences of large bodies of water 

During the winter the mean temi)erature of the east on the New England coast is 8.3S 
higher than the west (beyond the lakes) ; during the spring 3.53 lower ; during the summer 6.99 
lower; and during the autumn 1.54 higher. In the mean temperature for the year there is but.i 
fractional difference. That the winters are less rigorous and the summers more temperate on 
the Great Lakes is demonstrated to be owing not to elevation, but, as on the ocean, to the equal- 
izing agency of an expanse of water. 

On the lakes the annual ratio of fair days is 117, and on the New England coast 215 ; the 



HEALTH OF WISCOXSIX. 233 

cloudy days are as 127 to 73; the rainy as 63 to 46 . and the snowy as 45 to 29 In the former 
the prevailing weather is cloudy, and in the latter it is fair. The immense forests on the upper 
lake shores of course exercise a considerable influence in the modification of our temperature, as 
well as in the adding to our rain-fall and cloudy days. A climate of this character, with its 
attendant rains, gives us that with which we are so abundantly supplied, great variety of food, 
both for man and beast, the choicest kinds of fruits and vegetables m the greatest profusion, and 
of the best quality, streams alive with fish, woods and prairies with game, the noblest trees, the 
most exquisite flowers, and the best breeds of domestic animals the world can boast of. 

The semi-tropical character of our summer, and its resemblance to that of New England, is 
shown by the mean temperature — 70^ — for three months at -Salem, Massachusetts, at Albany, 
New York, at southern Wisconsin, Fort Snelling and Fort Benton on the Upper Missouri, being 
the same : while at Baltimore, Cincinnati and St. Louis, it is 75", and around the gulf of Mexico 
it is So''. Another feature of our climate is worthy the notice of invalids and of those who make 
the thermometer their guide for conifo: I. It is a well-ascertained fact that during the colder 
seasons the lake country is not only relatively, but positively, warmer than places far south of it. 
The thermometer, during the severe cold of January, 1856, did not fall so low at the coldest, by 
to° to 15° at Lake Superior as at Chicago at the same time. This remark holds true of the 
changes of all periods of duration, even if continued over a month. The mean temperature at 
Fort Howard, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 600 feet above the level of the Atb.ntic, latitude 44° 40', 
longitude 87", observations for nine years, is 44.93; and at Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien, 
Wisconsin, 580 feet above the level of the Atlantic, latitude 43^ 3', longitude 90" 53', observa- 
tions for four years, is 45.65, giving a just idea of our mean temperature for the state. Under 
the head of distribution of heat in winter, it is found that the maximum winter range at Fort 
Winnebago, Wisconsin, for sixteen years, is 9.4. 

Hyetal or R.-\iN Character. 

Wisconsin is situated within what is termed the area of constant precipitation, neither affected 
by a rainy season, nor by a partial dry season. The annual quantity of rain on an average for 
three years at Fort Crawford, was 29.54 inches, and at Fort Howard the mean annual on an 
average of four years, was 38. 83 inches. The annual quantity of rain, on an average of three 
years was 31. SS inches at Fort Winnebago, situate (opposite the portage between the Fox and 
Wisconsin rivers) 80 miles west of Lake Michigan and 112 miles southwest of Green Bay. The 
rain-fall is less in the lake district than in the valley of the Mississippi in the same latitudes. 
One of the peculiarities of our winters is the almost periodical rain-fall of a few days in the 
middle of the winter (usually in the middle of January), which extends to the Atlantic coast, 
while north and northwest of us the dry cold continues without a break, winter being uniform and 
severe, characterized by aridity and steady low temperature. Another peculiarity of our climate 
IS, the number of snowy and rainy days is increased disproportionately to the actual quantity — 
the large bodies of water on the boundaries of the state, contrary to the popular opinion, reduc- 
ing the annual quantity of rain in their immediate vicinity instead of adding to it, the heavier 
precipitation being carried further away. One of the most pleasing features of our climate is its 
frequent succession of showers in summer, tempering as it does our semi-tropical heat, increasing 
the fertility of the soil, and carpeting our prairies with a green as grateful to the eye as that of 
England. 

The hygrometric condition of Wisconsin may be judged of with proximate accuracy by that 
given of Poultney, Iowa : 



234 



IIISTOHY OF WISCOXSIX 



Day. 


Temperature 
of Air. 


Temperature 
of Evaporat'n 


Humidity, 
per cent. 


Day. 

1 


Temperature 
of Air. 


Temperature 
of Evaporat'n 


Humidity, 
per cent. 


loth 


92° 

87 

92 

96 

93 


78° 

75 

77 

Si 

78 


5" 
55 

48 


ig-.li 

20 


94° 

97 

96 

81 
84 


81° 
81 
80 
72 

71 


55 
4B 


12 


21 


47 


13 -- 

14 


50 
44 


29 

30 


63 

50 



The average depth of snow for three years, at Beloit, Wisconsin, was twenty-five inches, 
while at Oxford county, Maine, the average for twelve years was ninety inches. The isohyetal 
lines of the mean precipitation of rain and melted snow, for the year 1S72, show that of Wiscon- 
sin to be thirty-two. 

ISOTHKRMS. 

The me..n tempL.ature of spring is represented by the isotherm of 45" F. which enters Wis. 
consin from the west about forty miles south of Hudson, passing in a nearly southeast direction, 
and crosses the south line of the state near the west line of Walworth county. It then passes nearly 
around the head of Lake Michigan, then northeast until it reaches the latitude of Milwaukee, 
whence it passes in a somewhat irregular course east through Ontario, New York, and Massa- 
chusetts, entering the ocean in the vicinity of Boston. The summer mean isotherm of 70" F. 
enters Wisconsin from the west but little farther north than the spring isotherm, and passes 
through the state nearly parallel with the course of that line, crossing the southern boundary 
near the east line of Walworth county ; passing through Chicago it goes in a direction a little , 
south of east, and enters the Atlantic at New Haven. The mean isotherm of 47° F. for autumn, ■ 
enters the state about twenty miles north of Prairie du Chien, passing in a direction a little north 
of east through Portage, and enters Lake Michigan near Manitowoc. The isotherm of 20" F. 
representing the mean temperature of winter, enters the state near Prairie du Chien, passes east 
and north and enters Lake Michigan at Sturgeon bay. The annual mean temperature is repre- 
sented by the isotherm of 45° F. which enters the state near Prairie du Chien, i)asscs across the 
state in a direction a little south of east, and enters Lake Michigan a little south of Milwaukee, 

What influence these isotherms have upon our belts of disease there are no data to show. 
But from their influence upon vegetable life, one can not but infer a similar good influence or. 
the animal economy. This is a question for the future. 

HaRii.MK Tkll AI . 

Yearly mean of barometer at 32" F. as observed at the University uf Wisconsin, altitude 
1 ,088 feet above the sea : 



1869 28.932 inches. 

1870 28.867 " 

1871 28.986 " 

1872 28.898 •• 



1873 28.892 inches, 

1874 28.867 " 

1875 28.750 ■' 

1876 28.920 



Atmospheric pressure, as indicated by the barometer, is an important element in the causation 
of disease, far more so than is generally thought. The barometer indicates not only the coming 
of the storm, but that state of the atmosphere which gives rise to health at one time, and to 
disease at another. When the barometer is high, both the body and mind have a feeling of 
elasticity, of vigor and activity, and when the barometer ranges low, the feelings of both are just 
the reverse ; and both of these states, commonly attributed to temperature, are mostly the result 
of change in the barometric pressure. Many inflammations, as of the lungs, etc., commonly 



HEALTH OF M ISCOI^SIN. 235 

attributed to change in the temperature, have their origin in barometrical vicissitudes. 

Winds. 

Generally speaking, the atmospheric movement is from tlie west. It is of little purpose- 
what the surface wind may be, as this does not affect the i'act of the ionstancy of the westerly 
winds in the middle latitudes. The showers and cumulus clouds of the summer always have this 
movement. The belt of westerly winds is the belt of constant and equally distributed rains, the 
feature of our winds u]ion which so much of (uir health and comfort depends. 

(XIMATOLOGR'.\L ChANCKS IROM SkTTLING rHK StaTE. 

There are many theories afloat concerning the effects of reclaiming the soil and the destruc- 
tion of its forests. To us, a new people and a new state, the question is one of great moment, 
the more so that it is still in our power not only to watch the effects of such changes, but still 
more so to control them in a measure for our good. As to the effects upon animal and vegetable 
life, it would appear that so far as relates to the clearing away of forests, the whole change of" 
conditions is limited to the surface, and dependent for the most part on the retention and slow 
evaporation in the forest, in contrast with the rapid drainage and evaporation in the open space. 
The springs, diminishing in number and volume in our more settled parts of the state, do not 
indicate a lessening rain-fall. It is a well ascertained fact that in other places so denuded, which 
have been allowed to cover themselves again with forests, the springs reappear, and the streams 
are as full as before such denudation. With us, happily, while the destruction of forests is going 
on in various parts of the state, their second growth \% also going on, both in the pineries, where 
new varieties of hard-wood take the place of the pine, and in the more cultivated parts of the 
state, cultivation forbidding, as it does, the practice so much in vogue some years ago, of running 
fires through the undergrowth. Thus, though the renewal of forests may not be keeping pace 
with their destruction, it would seem clear that as time advances, the springs and streams in the 
more cultivated sections of the state will fill and flow again, increasing in proportion as the second 
growth increases and expands. 

The change, however, from denudation, though strictly limited to the surface, affects the- 
surface in other ways than simply in the retention and evaporation of rain. When the winter 
winds are blowing, the want of the sheltering protection of belts of trees is bitterly felt, both by 
man and beast. And so, too, in the almost tropical heats of the summer ; both languish and suffer 
from the want of shade. Nor is the effect of denudation less sensibly felt by vegetable life. The 
growing of our more delicate fruits, like the peach, the plum, the pear, the better varieties of the 
cherry and gooseberry, with the beautiful half-hardy flowering shrubs, all of which flourished so 
well in a number of our older counties some twenty years ago, are as a rule no longer to be found 
in those localities, having died out, as is believed, from exposure to the cold winds, to the south 
west winds in particular, and for want of the protecting influence of the woods. In fruits, how- 
ever, we have this compensation, that, while the more tender varieties have been disappearing, 
the hardier and equally good varieties, especially of apples, have been increasing, while the 
grape (than which nothing speaks better for climatology), of which we grow some 150 varieties, 
the strawberry, the raspberry, blackberry and currant, etc., hold their ground. Nor are the cattle 
suffering as much as formerly, or as much as is perhaps popularly believed, from this want of 
forests or tree shelter. With the better breeds which our farmers have been able of late years to 
purchase, with better blood and better food, and better care, our stock instead of dwindling in 
condition, or in number, from the effect of cold, has progressed in (juality and quantity, and 
competes with the best in the Chicago and tlie New York markets. 



■236 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN-. 

There can, however, be no doubt lliat the planting of groves and belts of trees in exposed 
localities, would be serviceable in many ways; in tempering the air and imparting to it an 
agreeable moisture in the summer ; in modifying the severity of the cold in winter ; in moderating 
the extreme changes to which our climate is subject; and thus in a measure preventing those 
discomforts and diseases which occur from sudden changes of temperature. Besides, these 
plantings, when made between our homes or villages and malarial marshes southwest of us, serve 
(by the aid of our prevailing southwest winds) to break up, to send over and above and beyond 
us the malarial substratum of air to which we are otherwise injuriously exposed. 

The effects of reclaiming the soil, or "breaking " as it is called in the west, have, years ago, 
when the state first began to be settled, been disastrous to health and to life. The moist sod 
being turned over in hot weather, and left to undergo through the summer a putrifying fomen- 
tative i)rocess, gave rise to the worst kind of malarial, typhoid (bilious) and dysenteric disease. 
Not, however, that the virulence or mortality altogether depended upon the soil emanations. 
These were undoubtedly .aggravated by the absolute poverty of the early settjers, who were 
wanting in everything, in proper homes, proper food and proper medical attendance, medicines 
and nursing. These fevers have swept the state years ago, particularly in the autumns of 1844 
■and 1845, but are now only observed from time to time in limited localities, following in the 
autumn the summer's "breaking." But it is pleasing to be able to add that through the advancing 
prosperity of the state, the greater abundance of the necessaries and comforts of life, and the 
facilities for obtaining medical care, the diseases incident to "settling" are much less common 
and much less fatal than formerly. 

Relations ok Climatdlogv 10 Saniiarv Status. 

One of the principal reasons for gathering climatological observations, is to obtain sanitary 
information, which serves to show us where man may live with the greatest safety to his health. 
Every country, we might perhaps correctly say every state, has, if not its peculiar diseases, at 
least its peculiar type of diseases. And by nothing is either this type or variety of disease so 
much influenced as by climate. Hence the great importance of the study of climatology to 
health and disease, nay, even to the kind of medicine and to the regulating of the dose to be 
given. It is, however, best to caution the reader that these meteorological observations are not 
always made at points where they would most accurately show the salubrity of a geographical 
district, by reason of the fact that the positions were chosen not for this special purpose, but 
for purely military purposes. We allude to the forts of Wisconsin, from which our statistics for 
the most part come. Another caution it is also well to bear in mind in looking over the class of 
diseases reported at these stations in connection with their observations. The diseases are those 
of the military of the period, a class from which no very favorable health reports could be 
expected, considering their habits, exposure, and the influences incidental to frontier life. 

The geography of disease and climate is of special interest to the public, and a knowledge 
especially necessary to the state authorities, as it is only by such a knowledge that state legis- 
lation can possibly restrain or root out the endemic diseases of the state. In connection with 
the gathering of vital statistics must go the collection of meteorological and topographical 
statistics, as without these two latter the former is comparatively useless for sanitary purposes. 
More i)articularly does this apply to the malarial diseases of the state. 

Acclimation is very rarely discussed or even alluded to by our people in relation to Wisconsin, 
for the reason that, come from whatever part of Europe men may, or from the eastern states, 
acclimation is acquired for the most part unconsciously, rarely attended by any malarial affection, 
unless by exposure in such low, moist localities, where even the natives of the state could not 



HEALTH (iF AVISC'OXSIX. 237 

live with impunity. It seems to be well enough established that wiiere malaria exists, whether 
in London, New York, or Wisconsin ; where the causes of malarial disease are permanent, the 
effects are permanent, and that there is no positive acclimation to malaria. Hence it should 
follow that since life and malaria are irreconcilable, we should root out the enemy, as we readily 
ran by drainage and cultivation, or, where drainage is impossible, by the planting of those shrubs 
or trees which are found to thrive best, and thereby prove the best evaporators in such localities. 
Our climate, appro.xiniating as it does the 45th degree (being equi-distant from the equator and 
pole), would a priori be a common ground of compromise and safety, and from this geographical 
position is not liable to objections existing either north or south of us. 

Influence of Nationalitiks. 

Our population is of such a confessedly heterogeneous character that naturally enough it 
suggests the question : Has this intermingling of different nationalities sensibly affected our 
health conditions .' Certainly not, so far as intermarriages between the nations of the Caucasian 
race are concerned. This opinion is given first upon the fact that our classes of diseases have 
neither changed nor increased in their intensity by reason of such admixture, so far as can be 
learned by the statistics or the history of disease in the northwest. Imported cases of disease are 
of course excepted. Second, because all that we can gather from statistics and history concern- 
ing such intermingling of blood goes to prove that it is beneficial in every respect, physically, 
nientallv and morally. 

England, of all nations, is said to be the best illustration of the good attending an 
intermingling of the blood of different nations, for the reason that the English character is 
supposed to be, comparatively speaking, good, and that of all countries she has been perhaps 
more frequently invaded, and to a greater or less part settled by foreign j^eoples than any other. 

From a residence of nearly a quarter of a century in the center of Wisconsin, and from an 
adequate knowledge of its people, whose nationalities are so various and whose intermarriages 
are so common, it is at least presumable that we should have heard of or noted any peculiar or 
i-njurious results, had any such occurred. None such, however, have been observed. Some fears 
have been expressed concerning the influence of Celtic blood upon the American temperament, 
already too nervous, as is alleged. It is scarcely necessary to say that these fears are unsupported 
by figures or facts. Reasoning from analogy, it would seem safe to affirm that the general inter- 
mingling by intermarriage now going on in our population, confined to the Caucasian nationali- 
ties, will tend to preserve the good old Anglo-Saxon character, rather than to create any new char- 
acter for our people. If this view needed support or confirmation, it is to be found in some very 
interesting truths in relation to it. Mr. Edwin Seguin, in his work on Idiocy, lays special stress 
on the influences of races in regard to idiocy and other infirmities, like deafness. He says that 
the crossing of races, which contributed to the elimination of some vices of the blood (as may be 
the case in the United States, where there are proportionally less deaf and dumb than in Europe), 
produces a favorable effect on the health of the population, and cites as an example, Belgium, which 
has fewer deaf and dumb than any country in Euroiie, owing to the influence of the crossing of 
races in past ages from the crowds of northern tribes passing, mingling and partly settling there 
on the way to England. 

We are aware that it has been predicted that our future will give us a ticw type, distinct from 
all other peoples, and that with this type must come not only new diseases but modifications or 
aggravations of the present diseases, in particular, consumption and insanity. But so long 
as we are in a formative state as a nation, and that this state seems likely to continue so long as 
the country has lands to be occupied and there are people in Europe to occupy them, such spec- 
'-■.lations can he but of little value. 



238 IIISTOKV OF -WISCOXSIX. 

Occupations, Food, Education, etc., as affecting Public Health. 

The two chief factors of the social and sanitary well-being of a peoi)le are a proper educa- 
tion of the man and a proper cultivation of the soil. Our two principal occupations in Wisconsin 
are education and agriculture, the learners in the schools being in excess of tlie laborers on the 
soil. A happier combination could scarcely be desired, to form an intelligent and a healthy 
people. How this will affect our habits in the future it is easy .to conceive, but for the present it 
may be said (of so many different nationalities arc we composed), that we have no habits which 
serve to distinguish us from the people of other northwestern states. A well-fed and a well-taught 
people, no matter how mixed its origin, must sooner or later become homogeneous and a maker 
of customs. In the mean time we can only sjieak of our habits as those of a people in general 
having an abundance of food, though it is to be wished the workers ate more beef and mutton^ 
and less salt-pork, and that whisky was less plentiful in the land. The clothing is sufficient, 
fuel is cheap, and the dwellings comfortable. Upon the whole, the habits of the people are 
conducive to health. It is thought unnecessarj- to refer to the influence upon health in general 
of other occupations, for the reason that manufacturers, traders and transporters are for the most 
part localized, and perhaps not sufficiently numerous to exercise any marked influence on the 
state health. 

History of Disease. 

In searching for historical data of disease in Wisconsin, we are able to go back to tne year 
1766, commencing with the aborigines. The Indians, says Carver, in his chapter on their diseases, 
in general are healthy and subject to few diseases. Consumption from fatigue and exposure he 
notices, but adds that the disorder to which they are most subject is pleurisy. They are like- 
wise afflicted with dropsy and paralytic complaints. It is to be presumed that while Carver is 
speaking generally, he means his remarks to apply, perhaps, more particularly to those Indians 
with whom he lived so long, the Sioux of this state. That they were subject to fevers is gathered 
from the use of their remedies for fever, the " fever bush " being an ancient Indian remedy, and 
equally valued by the inhabitants of the interior parts of the colonies. Besides this, they had 
their remedies for complaints of the bowels, and for all inflammatory complaints. These notices 
sufficiently indicate the class of diseases which have certainly followed in the wake of the Indi- 
ans, and are still occurring to his white brother, making it plain enough that lung diseases, bowel 
complaints, and fevers are in fact native to the state. The fact must not be ignored that the 
Indian is subject to the same diseases as the human race in general. 

After Carver, we may quote Major Long's expedition in 1824. The principal disease of the 
Sacs appears to be a mortification of the intestinal canal, more common among men than women, 
the disease proving fatal in four days if not relieved. It is unaccompanied with pain, and is neither 
hernia, dysentery, nor hemorrhoids. Intermittents were prevalent, and the small-pox visited 
them at diff'erent periods. As the Chippewas have a common Algonquin origin with the Sacs, 
and as their home and customs were the same, it may be expected that their diseases were simi- 
lar. The principal disease to which the Chii^jjcwas are liable is consumption of the lungs, 
generally affecting them between the ages of 30 and 40 ; they linger along for a year or two, but 
always fall victims to it. Many of them die of a bowel complaint which prevails every year. 
This disease does not partake, however, of the nature of dysentery. They are frequently affected 
with sore eyes. Blindness is not common. Many of them become deaf at an early age. 

Referring to the report of the commissioner of Indian affairs for 1854, we find that the 
decrease in the number of the Menomonees is accounted for by the ravages of small-pox, in 1838, 



HEALia OF WISCOXSTN. 239 

'of the cholera, in 1847 (which latter was superinduced by misery and starvation), and by the 
fever, which from time to time, commonly in the winter, has been raging among them, being 
clearly the consequence of want of provisions and other necessaries. The report for 1850 says, 
there has been considerable sickness among the Winnebagoes for several months past ; dysentery 
has been the prevalent disease, confined mostly to children. For 1857 : the Winnebagoes have 
suffered considerably from chronic diseases, scrofula and consumption. For 1859; the chief 
malady among the Winnebagoes is phthisis pulmonalis and its analogous diseases, having its 
source in hereditary origin. Some of the malignant diseases are occasionally met with among 
them, and intermittent and remittent fevers. In 1863 : of the Menomonees, there is a large 
mortality list of the tribes under my charge. Measles and some of the more common eruptive 
diseases are the causes. But the most common and most fatal disease which affects the Indians 
at this agency is pneumonia, generally of an acute character. There is but little tubercular 
disease to be found in any of these tribes, Menomonees, Stockbridges, Oneidas, etc. In the 
report for 1865, one can not but notice with some regret the absence of all allusion, except to 
small-po.x, to the diseases of the Indians. Regret, because reliable information of such diseases 
serves a variety of valuable purposes, for comparison, confirmation, etc., of those of the white 
population. For these reasons, if for none other, it is to be hoped that the attention of the 
proper authorities will be called to this feature of such reports. 

The first reliable report on the diseases of the people (as distinguished from the Indians) of 
Wisconsin to which we have had access, is Lawson's Army Report of Registered Diseases, for 10 
years, commencing 1829, and ending 1838 (ten years before the admission of Wisconsin into the 
Union as a state). 

FORT HOW.ARD, GREEN BA\'. 

Intermittent fever 30 This abstract exliibits the second quar- 

Remittenl do 11 ters only, the mean strength being 

Synochal do .-. 4 1,702. 

Typhu.s do 1 

Diseases of respiratory orjjans __ loi All other diseases 114, excepting vene- 

Diseases of digestive organs ^. 1S4 real diseases, abcesses, wounds, ul- 

Diseases of brain and nervous system g cers, injuries, and ebriety cases. 

Dropsies _ I . 

Rheumatic affections.- _ 61 

Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs, are comprised 384 catarrh, 6 pneu- 
monia, 60 pleuritis, and 28 phthisis pulmonalis; under the class of digestive organs, 376 diar- 
rhoea and dysentery, 184 colic and cholera, and 10 hepatitis; under the class of diseases of 
the brain and nervous system, 15 epilepsy, etc. The deaths from all causes, according to the 
post returns, are 25, being i^ per cent, per annum. The annual rate of intermittent cases is 6, 
■and that of remittent is 3, per 100 of mean strength. 

Table of Ratio oi- Sickness at Fort Howard. 



Seasons. 


MEAN STRK.OTH.; --- 


RATE PER 1,000 OF 

MEAN STRENGTH 

TREATED QUARTERLY. 


10 first quarters 

JO second " 


1,764 715 
1,702 726 
1,526 I.OVT 


405 
425 




703 




1.594 


636 


399 




Annual rale 


1.647 


3.150 


1. 91 3 



240 



HISTORY (11' M ISCOXSIX 



Every man has consequently, on an average, been reported sick about once in every six 
months, showing this region to be extraordinarily salubrious. The annual ratio of mortality, 
according to the medical reports, is ^ per cent.; and of the adjutant-general's returns, i-j^j 
per cent. 



KORT WI.SNEBAGO. 



Intermittent fever , 21 

Remittent fever - lo 

Synoch.il fever I 

Typhus fever — 

Diseases of the respiratory organs. 141 

Diseases of digestive organs _ go 

Diseases of brain and nervous system.. 2 

Rheumatic affections 26 



This abstract exhibits the fourth quarters 
only, the mean strength being 1,571. 

All other diseases, 80, \vith the exceptions as 
above. 



Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are comprised 448 catarrh, 1 1 pneu- 
monia, 29 pleuritis and 10 phthisis pulmonalis; under the head of digestive organs, 193 diarrhoea 
and dysentery, 149 colic and cholera, and 17 hepatitis; under the class of brain and nervous 
system, i epilepsy. The total number of deaths, according to the post returns, is 20. Of these, 
3 are from phthisis pulmonalis, i pleuritis, 2 chronic hepatitis, i gastric enteritis, i splenitis, etc. 

TABLE OF RATIO OF SICKNESS AT FORT WINNEBAGO. 



1 
Seasons. mean strength. 


NIMBEK 
TREATED. 


RATE PER 1,000 OF 

. MEAN STRENGTH 

TREATED QUARTERLY. 


) 

10 .Irst quarters 1 1.535 

lO second " . 1*505 


517 
581 


360 

343 


lo third " 1.^27 


380 


lo f(»urth '* 1 1. 571 


495 


3'5 








2,145 


1.39S 







Every man on an average is consequently reported sick once in eight months and a half^ 



FORT CRAWFORD. 



Intermittent fever 262 

Remittent fever 61 

Synochal fever — — 

Typhus fever — 

Diseases of respiratory organs 177 

Diseases of digestive organs 722 

Diseases of brain and nervous system — 16 
Rheumatic affections 58 



This abstract exhibits the third quarters 
only, the mean strength being 1,885. 

All other diseases, 309, vfith the same list of 
exceptions as above. 



Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are included 1,048 of catarrh, 28 pneu- 
monia, 75 pleuritis and 13 phthisis pulmonalis; under the head of digestive organs, 933 diarrhoea 
and dysentery, and 195 colic and cholera; under the head of brain and nervous diseases, 7 
epilepsy, etc. The total of deaths, according to the post returns, is 94, the annua] ratio being 
2^ per cent. The causes of death are : 6 phthisis pulmonalis, 6 epidemic cholera, i common 
cholera, 4 remittent fever, 3 dysentery, etc. In the third quarter of 1830 there were 154 cases of 
fever, while the same quarter of 1836, witli a greater strength, affords but one case, the difference 
seeming to depend upon the temperature. 



HEALTH OF WISCOXSIN. 



241 



The relative agency of the seasons in the production of disease in general is shown in the 
annexed table : 

TABLE EXHIBITING THE RATIO OF SICKNESS. 



Seasons. 


MEAN STRENGTH. 


NU.MBER 
TRE.\TED. 


RATIO PER 1,000 OF 

•MEAN STRENGTH 

TREATED QUARTERLY. 




i,66o 

1.749 

i,8S5 
1,878 


987 
1,267 
1,948 
1,^70 


595 

724 

1,033 

676 


10 second " ... 


lo third " 


lo fourth " ... 




.\nnual ratio. 


1,793 


5,472 


3,052 





Consequently every man on au average has been reported sick once in nearly every four 
months. But high as this ratio of sickness is, at this fort, and, indeed, at the others, it is low 
considering the topographical surroundings of the posts. But besides these injurious topograph- 
ical and other influences already alluded to, there were still other elements of mischief among 
the men at these stations, such as " bad bread and bad whisky," and salt meat, a dietary table 
giving rise, if not to " land-scurvy," as was the case at the posts lower down in the Mississippi 
valley (more fatal than either small-pox or cholera), at least to its concomitant diseases. 

The reason for using these early data of the United States .\rmy medical reports in pref- 
erence to later ones is, that even though the later ones may be somewhat more correct in certain 
particulars, the former serve to establish, as it were, a connecting link (though a long one) between 
the historical sketch of the diseases of the Indian and those of the white settler ; and again — 
these posts being no longer occupied — no further data are obtainable. 

To continue this historical account of the diseases of Wisconsin, we must now nave recourse 
to the state institutions. 

The Institution for the Education of the Blind. 

The first charitable institution established by the state was formally opened in 1850, at 
Janesville. The census of 1875 showed that there were 493 blind persons in the state, those 
3f school age — -that is — -under 20 years of age, probably amounting to 125. The number of 
pupils in the institution that year, 82 ; the average for the past ten years being 68. If the health 
report of the institution is any indication of the salubrity of its location, then, indeed, is Janes- 
nlle in this respect an enviable city. Its report for 1876 gives one death from consumption, and 
1 number of cases of whooping-cough, all recovered. In 1875, ten cases of mild scarlet fever, 
recovered. One severe and two mild cases of typhoid fever, recovered. For 1S73, no sick list. 
For 1872, the mumps went through tJie school. For 1871, health of the school reasonably good ; 
'ew cases of severe illness have occurred. 



The Institute for the Deaf and Dumb. 

This was organized in June, 1852, at Delavan. The whole number of deaf and dumb per^ 
ions in the state, as shown by the census of 1875, was 720. The report for 1866 gives the 
lumber of pupils as 156. 

Little sickness, a few cases of sore throat, and slight bowel affections comprise nearly all the 
lilments; and the physician's report adds: "The sanitary reports of the institution from its 
earliest history to the present date has been a guarantee of the healthiness of the location. 
Having gone carefully over the most reliable tabulated statements of deaf-mutism, its parent- 



242 IIISTOHV (iK MisroxsiX. 

age, its home, its causes, and its origin, we would most earnestly call the attention of the publii 
to the fact that the chief cause comes under the head of congenital, 75 of the 150 pupils in this 
institution having this origin. Such a fearful proportion as this must of necessity have its origin 
in a cause or causes proportionately fearful. Nor, fortunately, is the causation a mystery, since 
most careful examination leaves not a shadow of doubt that consanguineous marriages are the 
sources of this great evil. AVithout occupying further space by illustrative tables and arguments, 
wc would simply direct the attention of our legislators and thoughtful men to the law of this dis- 
gasc — which is, that the number of deaf and dumb, imbeciles, and idiots is in direct keeping luith the 
decree of consanguinity. With such a law and exhibit before us, would not a legislative inquiry 
into the subject, with the view of adopting preventi^^e means, be a wise step.' The evil is fear- 
ful ; the cause is plain; so, too, is the remedy." 

Industrial School for Boys. 

This institution is situated on the banks of the Fox river, at Waukesha, and was organized 
in i860. The whole number of the inmates since it was opened in July, i860, to October 10. 
1876, was 1,291. The whole number of inmates for 1876 was 415. Of these, since the period 
of opening up to date, October, 1876, 25 havedied: 8, of typhoid fever; i, of typhoid erysipelas; 
I, of gastric fever; 3, of brain fever; i, nervous fever; 2, congestion of the lungs; 2, congestive 
chills; 5, of consumption; 1 of dropsy; and i of inflammatory rheumatism. 

The State Prison. 

This was located at Waupun in July, 1857. On September 30, 1876, there were 266 inmates. 
But one death from natural causes occurred during the year. The health of the prisoners has 
been unusually good, the prevalent affections attendant upon the seasons, of a mild and 
manageable character. 

State HosPirAL for the Insane. 

This institution, located near Madison, was opened for patients in July, i860. The total 
number of admissions since it was opened has been 1,227 niales, 1,122 females, total 2,349. Over 
one half of these have been impro^^ed ; nearly one third recoi'cred ; while less than one quarter 
have been discharged unimproved. Total number of deaths, 288. At the commencement of the 
year, October i, 1875, there were in the hospital 376 patients. In the report for the year ending 
September 30, 1876, we find the past year has been one of unusual health in the hospital. No 
serious epidemic has prevailed, although 20 deaths have been reported, 7 fatally ill before admis- 
sion, 4 worn-out cases, etc. Insanity, coming as it does, under this head of an article on State 
Health, is of the highest interest from a state point of view, not only because so much may be 
done to remedy it, but that still more can and ought to be done by the state to prevent it. Our 
insane amount to i in 700 of the whole population, the total number in hospitals, poor-houses and 
prisons being in round numbers 1,400. It is a striking fact, calling for our earnest consideration, 
that the Germans, Irish and Scandinavians import a.x\A transmit more insanity — three to one — 
than the American-born population produce. The causes assigned for this disparity, are, as 
affecting importation, that those in whom there is an hereditary tendency to disease constitute the 
migratory class, for the reason that those who are sound and in the full possession of their powers 
are most apt to contend successfully in the struggle to live and maintain their jjosition at home ; 
while those who are most unsound and unequal to life's contests are unable to migrate. In other 
words, the strongest will not leave, the weakest can not leave. By this, the character of the 
migratory is defined. As affects transmission, j)overty is a most fruitful parent of insanity, so too is 
poor land. Says Dr. Boughton, superintendent of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane; 



HEALTH OF AVISCOXSm 243 

Wisconsin is characterized by a large poor class, especially in the northern part of the state, 
where people without means have settled on new and poorly paying farms, where their life is 
made up of hard work, exposure to a severe climate, bad and insufficient diet, cheerless homes, 
etc., etc. These causes are prolific in the production of insanity. It is easy, therefore, to trace 
the causes that give us so large a per cent, of insane in many of the counties of the state. Nor is 
it of less interest to know, as Dr. B. adds : We draw our patients from those families where 
phthisis pulmonalis, rheumatism and insanity prevail. Insanity and rheumatism are interchange- 
able in hereditary cases, so too are insanity and phithisis. ^^'hat may be accomplished by intel- 
ligent efforts to stem the increase of insanity in our state .'' Much. Early treatment is one means, 
this is of course curative in its character. And its necessity and advantage are well illustrated 
in table No. lo of the annual report of Dr. Boughton, for 1876, where it is seen that 45.33 of 
males, and 44.59 of the females who had been sent to the State Hospital having been insane but 
three months before admission, were cured, the proportion of cures becoming less in proportion 
to the longer duration of insanity before admission. As a preventive means, the dissemination 
of the kind of knowledge that shows indisputably that insanity is largely hereditary, and conse- 
quently that intermarriage with families so tainted should on the one hand be avoided by the 
citizen, and on the other hand, perhaps, prevented by the state, (congress at the same time 
restraining or preventing as far as possible persons so tainted from settling in this country.) 
By the state, inasmuch as the great burthen of caring for the insane falls upon the state. Still 
other preventive means are found in the imprmied cultivation of our lands and in our improved 
education ; in fact, in whatever lessens the trials of the poor and lifts them out of ignorance and 
pauperism. It is only by culture, says Hufeland, that man acquires perfection, morally, mentally 
and physically. His whole organization is so ordered that he may either become nothing or 
anything, hyperculture and the n'ant o{ cultivation being alike destructive. 

The Northern Hospital for the Insane. 

This hospital was opened at Oshkosh, May, 1873. The total number under treatment 
September 30, 1876 was — males 246, females 257, total 503. No ailment of an epidemic charac- 
ter has affected the health of the household, which has been generally good. The report of Dr. 
Kempster is full of suggestive matter for the legislator and sociologist. 

City of Milvi^aukee. 

Still adhering to the plan, in writing the sanitary history of the state, of gathering up all 
the health statistics which properly belong to us, we now take up those of Milwaukee, the only 
city in Wisconsin, so far as we know, that has kept up a system of statistics of its diseases. 
The city is built on each side of the mouth of Milwaukee river, on the west shore of Lake Michi- 
gan in lat. 43° 3' 45" N., long. 87° 57' W., and is considered remarkable for its healthy climate. 
The board of health has furnished us with its report for 1870 and downward. The character of 
its mortality from June 19, 1869, to March 31, 1870, is thus summarized : In children under five 
years of age, 758 out of 1,249 deaths, consumption, 93; convulsions, 128; cholera infantum, 
59; diarrhoea, 128; scarlet fever, 132; typhoid fever, 52; inflammation of the lungs, 41 ; still- 
born, 79. This disproportionate number of still-born children is attributed in part to a laxity of 
morals. The deaths from consumption in Milwaukee are 7 5^ out of every 100, one third less out 
of a like number of deaths than in San Francisco, in which city, in 4,000 deaths, 441 died of con- 
sumption, being 11 out of every 100 deaths for the year ending July, 1869. The deaths for 1S70 
numl)ered 1,655, the population being at the last census report, 71,636. 



244 HISTOIiV OF WISCOXSIK. 



Table of Principal Causes. 



Consumption 143 

Inflammation of lungs 56 

Convulsions 259 

Diarrhoea 131 

Diptheria. 74 

Scarlet fever. 52 

Typhoid fever 49 

Old age 28 

Still-born 123 



The Milwaukee population being about 
72,000, the death rate per annum for 
every 1,000 inhabitants would be 21. 
after proper deductions of deaths from 
other causes than from disease, showing 
very favorably as compared with other 
cities. 



Glasgow has 39 to every 1,000; Liverpool, 36; London, 25 ; New Orleans, 54; New York, 
32 ; San Francisco, 24; Milwaukee, 21. .A.mong seventeen of the principal cities of the Union, 
Milwaukee ranks the ninth in rate of mortality. .\n impression has prevailed that Milwaukee is 
subject to a large and disproportionate amount of lung and allied diseases. Statistics disprove 
this, its deaths from consumption being only 6 percent., while those of Chicago are 7.75 ; of 
St. Louis, tj.68; of Cincinnati, 11.95; ^"d of Boston, 19.31. But few cases of malarial disease 
occur in Milwaukee, and fewer cases of intestinal fever than in the interior of the state. The 
mortality among children is explained by its occurring chiefly among the poor foreign-born 
population, where all that can incite and aggravate disease is always to be found. 

This, (the historical part of the health article), will doubtless call forth from the profession 
much additional and desirable matter, but excepting what will further appear under the head of 
Madison it is proper to say that we have exhausted the sources of information on the subject 
within our reach. 

Health Resorts. 

Next in order would seem to come some notice of the summer and health resorts of Wiscon- 
sin, which, significant of the salubrity of the state, are not only becoming more numerous, but ] 
also more frequented from year to year. 

Madison, the capital of the state, with a population of 11,000, is built on an isthmus between] 
two considerable lakes, from 70 to 125 feet above their level; 80 miles west of Milwaukee, in 
latitude 43° 5' north, and longitude 89° 20' west, in the northern temperate region. The lake 
basins, and also the neck of land between them, have a linear arrangement, trending northeast and 
southwest. The same linear topography characterises the whole adjacent country and the boun- 
dary lines of its various geological formations, this striking feature being due to the former move- 
ment of glacier ice over the face of the country. At two points, one mile apart, the Capitol and 
University hills, respectively 348 and 370 feet above the level of Lake Michigan, rise prominently 
above the rest of the isthmus. Both of these hills are heaps of drift material from 100 to 126 feet 
thickness, according to the record of the artesian well. The neck of land on which Madison stands 
is of the same material. The same boring discloses to us the underlying rock structure, pene- 
trating 614 feet of friable quartzose sandstone belonging to the Potsdam series, loj^ feet of red 
shale belonging to the same series, and 2095^ f^^' of crystalline rocks belonging to the Archaean. 
In the country immediately around Madison, the altitude is generally considerably greater, and 
the higher grounds are occupied by various strata, nearly horizontal, of sandstone and limestone. 
The Potsdam sandstone rises about 30 feet above the level of Lake Mendota, on its northern 
shore, where at McBride's Point it may be seen overlaid by the next and hitherto unrecognized 
layer, one of more or less impure, dark-colored, magnesian limestone, to which the name of Men- 
dota is assigned, and which furnishes a good building stone. The descent of these strata is about 



IIKALTII OF WISCONSIN". 245 

9 feet to the mile in a due southerly direction. Overlying the Mendota beds are again sandstone 
layers, the uppermost portions of which are occasionally charged with lo to 20 per cent, of calca- 
reous and dolomitic matter, and then furnish a cream-colored building stone of considerable 
value. Most of this stratum which has been designated as the Madison sandstone, is, however, 
quite non-calcareous, being either a ferruginous brown stone, or a quite pure, white, nearly loose 
sand. In the latter phase it is of value for the manufacture of glass. In a number of quarries, 
cuttings and exposed places around the city, the Madison beds are seen to be overlaid by a gray- 
ish, magnesian limestone, the lower magnesian, varying very considerably in its character, but 
largely composed of a flinty-textured, heavy-bedded, quite pure dolomite, which is burnt into a 
good quality of lime. Its thickness exceeds 80 feet. Madison, with the conveniences and com- 
forts of a capital city, from its easy access by railroads, from not only in itself being beautiful, 
but from its beautiful surroundings, from its good society, charming climate, and artesian 
mineral water, is naturally a great summer resort. 

Though there are no vital statistics of the city to refer to, a residence of nearly a quarter of 
a century has made us sufficiently acquainted with its sanitary history, which is more or less the 
sanitary history of this part of the state, and in a measure of the state itself. In 1844 and 1845,. 
it was visited by an epidemic malarial fever of a bilious type, and not unfrequently fatal, which 
passed very generally through the state, and was attributed to the turning up of the soil. It was 
most virulent in the autumns. Again in 1854 it was visited by a light choleraic epidemic, which 
also swept the state, assuming very generally a particularly mild type. Again in 1857 it suffered 
lightly from the epidemic dysentery, which passed through the state. In 1865, it suffered from 
a visitation of diptheria, the disease prevailing generally over the state at that time. It has also 
had two visitations of the epidemic grip {grippe), or influenza. The last invasion, some five 
years since, commencing in a manner perhaps worthy of noting, by first affecting the horses very 
generally, and again, by beginning on the east side of the city, while the other epidemics for the 
past twenty-five years (unless the choleraic visitation was an exception) came in on the south- 
west side of the city, as has been the case, so far as we have been able to observe with the light 
epidemics to which children are subject. But little typhoid fever is found here, and the aguish 
fevers when they occur are light and easy of control. There is but little diarrhoea or dysen- 
tery. Pneumonia and its allied affections are more common, so is rheumatism, and so neuralgia. 
Inflammatory croup, however, is very rare, sporadic diptheria seeming to be taking its place. 
All the ordinary eruptive fevers of children are and always have been of a peculiarly mild 
type. 

Prairie du Chien, situated immediately at the junction of the Wisconsin with the Mississippi, 
is built about 70 feet above low water, and 642 feet above the level of the sea. The cliffs on 
both i-ides of the river present on their summits the lower strata of the blue Silurian limestone- 
of Cincinnati, beneath which are found sandstone and magnesian limestone down to the water's 
edge. W'a give this notice of Prairie du Chien for the purpose of bringing to the knowledge of 
the public that it possesses one of the most superb artesian wells in the state, which is attracting 
many persons by its remedial mineral properties. 

Green Bay sanitarily may be considered as suflSciently indicated under the head of Fort 
Howard. It is, however, proper to add that from its geographical position and beautiful situa- 
tion at the head of the bay, its easy access both by railroad and steamboat, its pleasant days and 
cool summer nights, it has naturally become quite a popular summer resort, [larticularly for 
southern people. 

Racine, some 25 miles south by east by rail from Milwaukee and 62 by rail from Chicago, i> 
built upon the banks and some 40 feet above the level of the lake. Its soil is a sandy loam and 



246 HISTORY OF AVISCOXSIX. 

gravel, consequently i". has a dry, healthy surface, and is much frequented in the summer for its 
coolness and salubrity. 

Waukesha, i8 miles west of Milwaukee by railroad, is a healthy, pleasant place of resort at 
all times on account of its mineral water, so well known and so highly appreciated throughout 
the country. 

Oconomowoc, 32 miles by railroad west by north of Milwaukee, is a healthy and de- 
lightfully located resort for the summer. Its many lakes and drives form its chief attractions, 
and though its accommodations were considered ample, during the past summer they were found 
totally inadequate to meet the demands of its numerous visitors. 

The Dalles, at Kilbourn City, by rail 16 miles from Portage, is unsurpassed in the northwest 
for the novelty, romantic character, and striking beauty of its rock and river scenery. It is 
high and dry ; has pure water and fine air, and every-day boat and drive views enough to fill 
up a month pleasantly. 

Lake Geneva, 70 miles by rail from Chicago, is built on the north side of the lake, is justly 
celebrated for its beauty, and its reputation as a summer resort is growing. 

Green Lake, six miles west of Ripon, and 89 northwest from Milwaukee, is some 15 miles 
long and three broad, surrounded by beautiful groves and prairies; and is claimed to be one of 
the healthiest little places on the continent. 

Devil's Lake is 36 miles by rail north of Madison. Of all the romantic little spots in Wis- 
consin, and they are innumerable, there is none more romantic or worthy of a summer visitor's 
admiration than this. It is, though shut in from the rude world by bluffs 500 feet high, a very 
favorite resort, and should be especially so for those who seek quiet, and rest, and health. 

Sparta, 246 miles by rail from Chicago, is pleasantly and healthily situated, and its artesian 
mineral water strongly impregnated with carbonate of iron, having, it is said, over 14 grains in 
solution to the imperial gallon, an unusually large proportion, attracts its annual summer 
crowd. 

Sheboygan, 62 miles by rail north of Milwaukee, from its handsome position on a bluff over- 
looking the lake, and from the beauty of its surroundings as well as from the character of its 
mineral waters, is an attractive summer resort. 

Elkhart Lake, 57 miles by rail north of Milwaukee, is rapidly acquiring a good name from 
those seeking health or pleasure. 

Change in Diseases. 

In order to ascertain whether the classes of diseases in the state at the date of Carver's 
travels are the same which prevail to-day, we have compared his description of them with those 
tabulated in the army medical reports of Forts Howard, Crawford and Winnebago, and again 
with those given in the U. S. Census for 1870, and with the medical statistics of the city of 
Milwaukee. The three distinct and prominent classes prevailing from Carver's to the present 
time, are, in the order of prevalence, diseases of the respiratory organs, consumption, pneumonia, 
bronchitis, etc.; diseases of the digestive organs, enteritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, etc.; and the 
malarial fevers. At Fort Howard alone do the diseases of the digestive organs seem to have 
outnumbered those of the respiratory organs. So far as it is possible to gather from the report 
of the commissioners of Indian affairs, these features of the relative prevalence of the three 
classes of disease are not disturbed. 

There are, however, some disturbing or qualifying agencies operating and affecting the 
amount or distribution of these classes in different areas or belts. For instance, there are two 



HEALTH OF WISCONSIN". 247 

irregular areas in the state; the one extending from the Mississippi east and north, and the other 
starting almost as low down as Madison, and running up as far as Green Bay, which are more 
subject to malarial diseases than are the other parts of the state. While it is found that those 
parts of the state least subject to diseases of the digestive organs are, a belt along the western 
shore of Lake Michigan, and a belt running from near Prairie du Chien north into the pineries. 
Again, it is found that the jiart of the state most subjec' to enteric, cerebro-spinal and typhus 
fevers, is quite a narrow belt running north from the southern border line into the center of the 
state, or about two-thirds of the distance toward the pineries. All along the western shore of 
Lake Michigan, and stretching across the country by way of Fond du Lac to the Mississippi, is 
a belt much less subject to these disorders. It is equally beyond question that the western shore 
of Lake Michigan, and the southern shore of Lake Superior, as well as the western half of the 
southern boundar)'- line of the pineries, are less affected with consumption than the interior parts 
of the state. 

The tendency of these diseases is certainly to amelioration. The sanitary history of Wiscon- 
sin does not differ from that of any other state east of us, in this striking particular; the farther 
you trace back the history of disease, the worse its type is found to be. It follows, then, that 
the improvement in public health must progress with the general improvement of the state, as 
has been the case with the eastern states, and that the consequent amelioration of our malarial 
diseases especially will tend to mitigate infectious diseases. The ameliorating influences, how- 
ever, that sanitary science has brought to bear upon disease, of which England is so happy an 
illustration, has scarcely as )'et begun to be known to us. But the time has come at last when 
this science is moving both the hearts and minds of thinking and humane men in the state, and 
its voice has been heard in our legislative halls, evoking a law by which we are, as a people, to be 
governed, as by any other enactment. The organization of a state board of health is a new era 
in our humanity. In this board is invested all legal power over the state health. To it is com- 
mitted all the sanitary responsibility of the state, and the greatest good to the people at large 
must follow the efforts it is making. 

There are many other points of sanitary interest to which it is desirable to call the attention 
of those interested in Wisconsin. It is a popular truth that a dry climate, all other things being 
equal, is a healthy climate. Our hygrometrical records show Wisconsin to have one of the driest 
climates in the United States. Choleraic diseases rarely prevail unless in a comparatively 
stagnant state of the atmosphere, where they are most fatal. Where high winds prevail such 
diseases are rare. The winds in Wisconsin, while proverbially high and frequent (carrying away 
and dissipating malarial emanations), are not destructive to life or property, as is tlie case, by 
their violence, in some of the adjoining states. A moist, warm atmosphere is always provocative 
of disease. Such a state of atmosphere is rare with us, and still more rarely continuous beyond 
a day or two. Moist air is the medium of malarial poisoning, holding as it does in solution 
gases and poisonous exhalations. Its character is readily illustrated by the peculiar smell of 
some marsh lands on autumnal evenings. Such a state of moisture is seen only in our lowest 
shut-in marshes (where there is but little or no air-current), and then only for a very limited 
period, in very hot weather. 

But too much importance is attached by the public to a simply dry atmosphere for respira- 
tory diseases. The same mistake is made with regard to the good effects in such disorders of 
simply high elevations. Dry air in itself or a high elevation in itself, or both combined, are 
not necessarily favorable to health, or curative of disease. In the light and rare atmosphere of 
Pike's Peak, an elevation of 6,000 feet, the pulse is accelerated, the amount of sleep is dimin- 
ished, and the human machine is put under a high-pressure rate of living, conducive only to its 



248 



HISTOKY or AVISCOXSIN. 



injuTy. The average rate of the pulse in healthy visitors is from 115 to 120 per minute (the 
normal rate, in moderate elevations, being about 75). And where there is any organic affection 
.of the heart, or tendency to bleeding from the lungs, it is just this very dry atmosphere and high 
elevation that make these remedies {?) deslrnctive. Hence it is that Wisconsin, for the generality 
of lung diseases, especially when accompanied with hemorrhage, or with heart disease, is prefer- 
able to Colorado. It may be objected, that the diseases of the respiratory organs are in excess 
of other diseases in Wisconsin. This feature, however, is not confined to the cold belt of our 
temperate latitudes — -our proportion of respiratory diseases, be it noted, comparing most favor- 
ably with that of other states, as may be seen in the following table: 

Climatologicai, Distribution of Pulmonarv Diseases. 



Deaths 

by 
Phthisis. 



Per cent. , Deaths by all 
of entire diseases of Res- 
.Mortality.lpiratory Organs. 



Massachusetts, 1850, U. S. Census 

Ohio, 1849-50, U. S. Census 

Michigan, 1S50, U. S. Census 

Illinois, 1849-50, U, S. Census — 
Wisconsin, 1849-50, U. S. Census 



3.426 

2.558 


17.65 1 
8.83 


657 

866 


14-55 
7.36 


290 


9-99 



4.418 
3.988 

1,084 

1.799 

535 



Per cent, 
of entire 
Mortality. 



22.27 

13.77 
24.00 
15.00 
18.43 



Now, while the mortuary statistics of the United States census for 1850 are acknowledged 
to be imperfect, they are, nevertheless, undoubtedly correct as to the causes of mortality. But 
besides this statistical evidence of the climatologicai causes of disease, there are certain relative 
general, if not special, truths which serve to guide us in our estimate. Respiratory diseases of 
all kinds increase in proportion as the temperature decreases, the humidity of the air being the 
same. Another equally certain element in the production of this class of diseases is variableness 
•of climate. Still, this feature of our climate is only an element in causation, and affects us, as 
we shall see in the table below, very little as compared with other states. Indeed, it is still 
•disputed whether there is not more consumption in tropical climates than in temperate climates. 
This much is admitted, however, that consumption is rare in the arctic regions. Dr. Terry says 
the annual ratio of pulmonary diseases is lower in the northern than in the southern regions ^ti 
the United States, and Dr. Drake, an equally eminent authority, recommends those suffering 
from or threatened witii pulmonary affections, to retreat to the colder districts of the country, 
*;iting among others localities near Lake Superior — a recommendation which our e.xperience nl 
nearly half a century endorses. 

Proportion of Pneumoni.\ to Consu.mption in the Different States. 



STATES. CONS. 


PNEUM. 


STATES. 


CONS. 


PNEUM. 


Massachusetts 

Ohio 


3.424 

2,558 

866 


549 

895 
647 


North Carolina 

Kentucky 


562 

1,288 

290 


664 
429 
194 











When we compare the general death-rate of Wisconsin with that of the other states of the 
Union, we find that it compares most favorably with that of Vermont, the healthiest of the New 
England states. The United States census of 1850, i860 and 1870, gives Wisconsin 94 deaths 
to 10,000 of the population, while it gives Vermont loi to tvery 10,000 of her inhabitants. The 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



249 



■census of 1870 shows that the death-rate from consumption in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Wis- 
consin are alike. These four states show the lowest death-rate among the states from consumption, 
the mortality being 13 to 14 per cent, of the whole death-rate. 

Cllmatologically considered, then, there is not a more healthy state in the Union than the 
state of Wisconsin. But for health purposes something more is requisite than climate. Climate 
and soil must be equally good. Men should shun the soil, no matter how rich it be, if the climate 
is inimical to health, and rather choose the climate that is salubrious, even if the soil is not so 
rich. In Wisconsin, generally speaking, the soil and climate are equally conducive to health, 
and alike good for agricultural purposes. 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



1875. 



ADAMS COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns, cittes and 


Wliite. 


Colored 






s 


s 


s 


B 
(4 


to 

1 
< 




200 
77 
844 
164 
861 
117 
204 
240 
163 
444 
74 
126 
121 
199 
189 
501 
127 


198 
71 
221 
153 
200 
100 
193 
229 
137 
403 
62 
118 
99 
131 
182 
433 
115 


1 


398 


Big Flats 


2 


4 


154 




465 




317 




461 


Leoia 


217 




397 


Monroe 


469 
300 




847 




136 




244 


Richfield 


220 




330 




371 




934 


Wliite Creek 










3,451 


3.045 


a 


4 


6,502 







ASHLAND COUNTY. 



Asbland 


268 
141 


180 
141 






448 


La Poilite 


282 






Total 


409 


321 






7.30 







BAYFIELD COUNTY. 



BaySeia.. 



538 493 1 



BARRON COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns, Cities and 


Wll 


ite. 


Colored 








a 


S 




be 




343 

459 

364 
326 
214 
128 
240 


285 
397 
319 
216 
182 
84 
186 






628 


Chetac 


856 
683 


Stanford 


542 




396 


Rice Lake 


206 




426 






Total 


2,068 


1,669 






3,737 





BROWN COUNTY. 



Aswabanon 

AUouez 

Bellevue 

Depere 

Depere village 

Katon 

Fort Howard city 

Gleunmre 

Green Bay city 

Green Bay 

Holland 

Howard 

Humbolt 

Lawrence 

Morrison 

New Denmark 

Pittsfiekl 

Freble 

Ro(;kland 

Scott 

Suamlco 

West Depere village. 
Wriglitstown 



Total. . 



18,376 16. 



210 


175 


143 


136 


371 


337 


410 


358 


943 


956 


291 


208 


1,889 


1,721 


591 


482 


3,966 


4,017 


581 


542 


784 


705 


687 


579 


519 


467 


499 


408 


765 


633 


616 


529 


384 


335 


838 


792 


434 


372 


774 


696 


477 


452 


982 


941 


1.222 


1.058 



29 



385 

279 

711 

768 

1,911 

499 

3.610 

1.073 

8.037 

1.123 

1.489 

1.266 

986 

909 

1,398 

1.145 

719 

1,642 

806 

1.470 

929 

1.923 

2.295 



35,373 



250 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



BURNETT COUNTY. 





POPULATIOX. 


Towwp. Cities and 


White. 


Colored 


f 

•< 


Villages. 




1 


S 


Is. 




433 
231 

87 

751 


379 

191 

82 

652 


11 

5 

12 

28" 


4 

7 
14 

25 


827 




434 




195 




1,456 







BUFFALO COUNTY. 





296 
34 
307 
138 
376 
369 
292 
277 
413 
339 
275 
215 
402 
341 
717 
899 
552 
465 
500 


254 
293 
279 
137 
336 
821 
282 
227 
372 
309 
240 
212 
383 
306 
671 
664 
501 
421 
494 


2 


3 


550 




637 




586 




275 




712 


Cross 


690 
574 


Gllmanton 

Glem;oe 


504 
785 
648 




515 




427 




785 




647 




1.388 




1.563 




1.053 




88b 


Fouutaln City village 


994 




7.517 


6,702 


2 


3 


14.219 











CALUMET COUNTY. 



Brothertown . 

Brllllou 

Chlltoii 

Charlestown.. 

Harrison 

New Hulsteln 

ILiutoul 

Stockbridge... 
WoodvUle 

Total. . . . 



864 


809 


12 


7 


666 


507 






1.061 


1,000 


16 


lb 


668 


592 


8 


4 


1.008 


875 


1 




1.016 


949 






837 


753 






910 


865 


161 


156 


690 


639 






7,720 


6,989 


193 


183 



CLARK COUNTY. 



1.692 
1.173 
2.093 
1.267 
1,884 
1,965 
1.590 
2.092 
1.329 



15.085 





106 
303 
183 

57 
353 

58 
205 
262 

84 
151 
847 
137 
789 

36 
132 
132 
186 
22b 

70 
171 


91 
210 
142 

47 

n^ 
123 
237 

71 

lis 

307 
123 

1? 

120 
07 
21 

153 
68 

135 












Eatoll 


825 












101 


Ulxon 


328 




499 




155 


Levis 


264 




654 




260 


PlDe Valley 


1.525 


Perkins 


73 




252 


Unity 

Warner : 


239 
807 




379 




138 


York 


306 






Total 


3.988 


3.294 






7 282 











CHIPPEWA COUNTY. 





roPlLATION. 


Towns. Cities and 


Wli 


itc. 


Colored 


» 




s 




s 




S 
1 






361 

488 

654 

3.286 

329 

1.360 

1.046 

346 

442 


269 
420 
606 

1.755 
288 

1.074 
638 
252 
368 


■'«" 


■■4' 


630 




908 




1.260 


Clilpnewa Falls city 


5.050 
617 


Eairle Point 


2.434 


La Kayeite 


1.688 




598 




810 






Total 


8.312 


5.670 


6 


7 


13.995 







COLUBIBIA COUNTY. 



Arlington 

Caledonia 


512 
639 
481 
912 
662 
662 
376 
749 
515 
596 
541 
705 
449 
444 
853 
759 
130 
2,164 
630 
409 
423 
486 
580 
33 


497 
584 
400 
991 
647 
618 
351 
712 
497 
506 
505 
743 
437 
409 

fl? 
119 
2.161 
556 
374 
347 
442 
540 
34 


r 

■4- 

s 
■7' 


i" 
3 

'6' 


1.009 
1,22a 

881 




1.903 




1.309 




1.280 




727 




l,4bl 




i.012 




1.103 




1.04(1 


Lodl 


1.448 




886 


MurcelloQ 


858 
1.721 




1.496 




249 




4.337 




1.186 




783 


Siiriiii? Vale 


770 


west Point 


928 




1.120 


Westw. Vil. of Randolph.. 


67 




14.710 


14.069 ' 15 


9 


2B,S0a 







CRAWFORD COUNTY. 





177 
851 
755 

818 
498 
894 

411 
429 
404 
184 
48B 
704 
773 
583 


186 
765 
688 
766 
258 
404 
826 

352 
.535 
424 
209 
468 
687 
697 
511 


■•4 
.... 

■■•y 

12 


"i 
i' 


363 




l.blb 




1.443 




1.564 




571 


Marietta 

Prairie ilu Chlen town 

Prairie (lu Clilcn city- 


902 
720 






tit 

953 
1.391 
1.470 


Fourth ward., 
ijcott 








Utica 




11 


Waiizeka 


1 094 






Total. 


7.7E9 


7.276 


18 


1 5 035 







Superior . 



DOUGLAS COUNTY. 



386 I 346 I 3 I 6 



741 



STATLSTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



251 



DOOR COUNTY. 







POPULATION. 




TowN.=, Cities axd 


White. 


Colored 






Male. 


1 




H 


1 


Bailey's Harbor 


310 
359 
344 
244 
420 
308 
377 
166 
394 
2«6 
268 

286 
230 


186 
316 
279 
210 
382 
206 
325 
107 
278 
192 
211 
259 
301 
214 
181 






396 




675 




623 




454 


Forestville 


802 
414 




702 




273 


Liberty Grove 


672 




418 


Sevastopol 


479 




549 


Sturgeon Bay village 


632 

530 




401 






Total 


4,343 


3,677 






8,020 



DUNN COUNTY. 



Colfax 


178 
578 
577 
261 
490 
239 
1,959 
130 
130 

156 
379 
628 
271 
400 
128 
212 


170 
458 
490 
231 
463 
190 
1,467 
124 
115 
313 
203 
146 
308 
648 
229 
263 
117 
188 






348 


Dunn 




"s 

i" 


.... 

T 
"i' 

"2 


1,036 
1,067 












429 




3,433 
254 




Pew 


345 












302 




687 




1,176 
503 






663 


Titf.iny 


245 


Westou 


400 






Total 


7,394 


6,021 


7 


5 


13 427 







DODGE COUNTY. 





742 
794 

1,656 
567 
593 
451 
694 
701 
724 
471 
451 
985 

1,143 
591 
907 
156 
833 
832 

1.014 

1.318 
532 

1,006 
668 
956 
149 
559 

1,072 
956 
586 
615 

1,435 
628 








1,442 
1,501 
3,455 
1,091 
1,112 

854 
1,330 
1,402 
1,356 

853 
1,012 
1.896 
2.240 
1.190 
1,748 

310 
1,637 
1,597 
1.943 
2.563 
1.069 
1.958 
1.321 
1.868 

318 
1.065 
2,098 
1,762 
1.145 
1.233 
2.955 
1.070 


Beaver Dam town 

Beaver Dam city 


707 

1,795 
524 
619 
403 
636 
701 
632 
381 
508 
911 

1,097 
599 
841 
154 
804 
759 
929 

1,245 
537 
951 
653 
912 
168 
506 

1,026 
806 
558 
618 

1,520 
441 


"4" 


Burnett 






Clyman 


Elba 


Kmmet 


........ 

25 i 

.... 28 


Fox Laketown 






Hubbard 


Horioori village 

Hustisfonl. 


"a' 

"i" 

r 

r 


■3 
r 




Le Roy 








Oak (irovo 


Portlatnl 


Kublcon 


Haiulolpli village, £. ward 
Shields 


Theresa 


Trenton 


Westford 


Winianistown 

Watertown ritv, 5 A 6 Wds 
■\Vauiinn village, 1st ward,. 


Total 


24.785 


23.541 


JO „„ 




48.394 







I>AKE COUNTY. 



Towns. Cities and 
Villages. 



POPULATION. 



While. 


Colored 









ij- 




rt 




















=: 












PC4 


1^ 


U^ 



Albion 

Berry 

Black Earth 

Illooining Grove 

Blue Mounds 

Bristol 

Burke 

Christiana 

Cottage Grove 

Cross Plains 

Dane 

l>eerfield 

Dunkirk 

Dmtn 

Fitcbburg 

Madison town 

Madison city 

Mazonianie 

Medina 

Middleton 

Montrose 

Oregon 

Perry 

Primrose 

Pleasant Springs — 

Roxbury 

Rutland 

Springdale 

Springtield 

Stoughton village... 

Sun Prairie 

Sun Prairie village.. 

Vienna 

Verona 

Vermont 

Westport 

Windsor 

York 



Total 26.894 



679 
692 
451 
555 
659 
579 
575 
853 
580 
703 
597 
493 
677 
686 
576 
419 
1,858 
813 
726 
866 
540 
655 
530 
470 
569 
592 
553 
522 
728 
585 
615 
283 
547 
546 
562 
813 
629 
618 



582 
543 
446 
474 
531 
558 
546 
740 
549 
727 
671 
413 
575 
687 
575 
361 
5,174 
818 
691 
850 
538 
704 
444 
448 
C87 
659 
504 
495> 
664 
622 
457 
306 
479 
491 
555 
808 
558 
484 



25,814 60 30 



FON DU LAC COUNTY. 



1,261 
1,135 

897 
1,030 
1,090 
1.137 
1,121 
1,593 
1,130 
1,430 
1,168 

906 
1,253 
1.173 
1.051 

788 
10.093 
1.635 
1.417 
1.718 
1.079 
1,359 

974 

919 
1.057 
1,151 
1.067 
1.018 
1.393 
1.207 

972 

689 
1,026 
1,039 
1,118 
1,621 
1,191 
1.003 



52.798 



Ashford 


1,064 
877 
725 
685 
723 
763 
527 
840 
768 
793 
682 

1,109 

1,156 

1.085 

1,374 

594 

739 

655 

726 

780 

918 

1,055 

748 

684 

630 

611 

872 
777 
642 
783 
666 
498 


938 
799 
686 
661 
649 
713 
490 
747 
676 
686 
524 

1,175 

1.248 

1.204 

1.398 

563 

727 

659 

753 

731 

919 

I'A 

667 
681 
5S4 

981 
862 
580 
717 
644 
478 


4 

'V 

1 

i 

5 
3 
3 

1 

"s 

28 
23 

1 
1 
2 

■■4' 
■■3" 


"5' 

11 

3 

1 

■j- 
27 
'\ 
■4" 

r 

1 
5 


2.00B 




1.676 




1,411 




1.346 




1,372 


E(leii 


1,476 




1,029 




1,587 


FondduLac 


1,445 
1.479 




1,107 


Fonddii Lac city— 


2.300 




2.409 




2.295 


l-'oiirtli \v;inl 

Finn w;ii.l 

Sixth wuril 


2,774 
1,157 
1,481 
1.869 




1.523 




1,513 




1,838 


Marshlield 


1,95a 
1,421 


Osceola .. 


1,361 
1.211 




1,200 


Kiponeily— 


1,854 




1,647 




1,22a 








1,500 




1 
2 


"i" 


1,311 


Wuupun village, N. ward.. 


979 


ToLll 


26,149 


24,604 


98 


80 


50,341 







252 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 



EAU CLAIRE COUNTY. 







POPULATIOX. 




Towns. ClTlKS AND 


While. 


Colored 






S 


Is 

z 




1 


S 

< 




549 
461 
419 
4,646 
221 
158 
701 
496 
260 
93 
327 
393 


507 
383 
387 
3.777 
179 
163 
553 
483 
243 
18 
290 
327 


is 


■■4" 


1,056 

844 

8.410 
400 
321 

1.254 
959 
503 
171 






EauCIairecily 








Pleasant Vallev 










Xotal 


8,724 


7,250 


13 


4 


15.991 





GREEN COUNTY. 



Adams 


476 
565 
585 
669 
695 
759 
.<i4g 
450 
867 
540 
462 
1,525 
.550 
530 
639 
446 
477 
620 


437 
585 
554 
750 
6.54 
751 
350 
433 
847 
486 
441 
1,693 
658 
445 
597 
530 
S93 
496 


T 
2 

r 


'2" 

■3' 
"1 


913 


Albany 


1 150 




1,138 
1,428 
1,349 
1,510 




CjuUz 


Olarno ., 


Decatur .*.... 


701 


Exeter 


883 




1 714 




1,026 












New Glarus 


975 

1,238 

876 






870 


vork . . . ..:;::::"::;::::::: 


1,016 






Total 


11,102 


10.900 


14 


11 


22,027 









GRANT COUNTY. 





865 
413 
974 
607 
487 
709 
435 
935 
611 
446 

1.047 
.558 
636 
539 
458 

1.376 
359 
671 
369 
11)9 
400 
500 

2.000 

1.373 
429 
716 
486 
330 
5S6 
.180 
293 


805 
413 
99H 
599 
512 
677 
384 
835 
531 
397 

1.074 
491 
557 
481 
423 

1.3.58 
349 
604 
3.57 
97 
381 
440 

2.054 

1.268 
401 
613 
469 
274 
481 
354 
269 


"5' 

i' 
"1" 

6 


20 

"3' 
1 

1. 
"i' 


1,717 


Blue Ktver 


826 




1.978 




1.206 


Wifton 


999 




1.386 




809 




1.770 




1,144 
843 






2.121 




1,049 


Jamestown 


1.194 


Lima 


1.020 




882 




2 742 




708 




"3" 

2 

16 

1 


s' 

1 

9 


1.275 




726 


MlUvllle 


206 


Mount Hope 


781 


Paris 


940 


Plattvllle 


4,060 




2,644 


Patch Grove 


855 


'Sinclser 


1.330 




955 


W,'iiters;owii 

WIngvllle 


604 
1.017 


Wvalusl iiff 


734 




562 








20.037 


18,944 


65 


40 


39.086 







GREEN LAKE COUNTY. 



Town?. Citie.« and 

VlLLA<iH.^. 





POPULATION. 




White. 


Colored 
























i. 


it 




B 

4* 


tj 


a 


n 










"" 



Berlin 

litTliii rity. 
Brooklyn ... 
Green Lake 
Kingston .. 
Manrliesrer, 
Mackfonl.. 
Marquette. 
Princeton.. 
St. Marie... 
Seneca 

Total . 



548 
1.586 
707 
729 
452 
630 
737 
537 
1.076 
390 
232 



7,632 



554 
1,755 
691 
759 
442 
654 
682 
521 
1,015 
336 
225 



7,642 



IOWA COUNTY. 





1,004 

390 

1.854 

1.565 

1,078 

818 

806 

1,458 

484 

785 

1,299 

480 

362 


924 

367 
1,870 
1,459 

972 
. 705 

715 
1,581 

443 

712 
1,174 

434 

358 


2 

"i' 

3 

4 

11 


"3" 

■jj' 
4 


1.930 




7.57 




3 725 


Higlil:tntl 


3 024 




2.059 


Mlflliii 


1..526 




1..527 


Mineral Point citv . 


3 054 




927 


Pulaski 






1.497 


Rldceway 

Wahlwick 

Wyoming 




.... 



2.473 
914 
720 


Tot.ll 


12.384 


11,714 


26 


9 


21.133 



JACKSON COUNTY. 



Albion 

Alma 

Gardt'ii Valley 

Hixtoii 

Irvine 

Manchester... 

Melrose 

Millston 

Norlhneld .. 
Springfield.... 

Total.... 



1,428 


1,334 


5 


1 


699 


620 






549 


477 






714 


554 






669 


588 






226 


197 






613 


546 






128 


82 






448 


429 






565 


467 ... 




6,039 


5,294 


5 


1 



JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



Aztalan 

Concord 

Cold Spring 

Farmlngton 

Hebron 

1 \onla 

J elterson 

Kosli koDong 

Lake Mills 

Mlirord 

Oakland 

i'alniyra 

Snlllvan 

Sumner 

Waterloo 

Wateiloo village 

Waterlown town 

Wali'rlown eilv, 1st, 2d, 3<1 
4tli, and 7th wards 

Total 



669 
770 
375 

1,215 
665 
920 

2.081 

1.744 
745 
799 
571 
798 
757 
248 
526 
418 

1.115 

.3.286 
17,702 



635 
747 
3.50 

1.192 
608 
857 

1.958 

1.810 
720 
752 
515 
778 
72b 
255 
489 
397 

1.065 

3,283 
17,137 



2 

1 
21 


"l' 
13 



40 29 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



253 



JUNEAU COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 


Towns, CiTiKs .vnd 


White. 


Colored 






— * 


t 

rt 

b 


« 




1 
If, 




117 
135 
397 
390 
309 
553 
556 
274 
259 
178 
548 
1.001 
558 
267 
748 
419 
610 
774 


119 
115 
343 
323 
249 
619 
510 
240 
224 
160 
569 
864 
B73 
248 
690 
377 
460 
719 


... 

r 

•2 


"l ■ 

T 

1 


236 
250 
740 


Clearfield 


Fountain 


Gerniantown 


KllUaie 


658 

1.072 

1,066 

6! 4 

483 

338 

1,118 

1,865 

1,133 

516 

1,438 

796 

970 

1,495 




LIndina 


Lisbon 




Marion 




New Lisbon villaj:e 

Orange . 


Plvniontli 










Total 


7,993 


7.301 


3 


3 


15,300 





KENOSHA COUNTY. 



Brighton 

Bristol 

Kenosha city 

Paris 

Pleasant Prairie. 

Randall 

Soniers 

■Salem 

Wheatland 

Total 



561 


605 






585 


552 


'.', 


2 


2,426 


2,533 




7 


539 


479 






734 


723 


6 


6 


297 


253 






793 


657 


6 


5 


697 


669 






434 


433 


Tg" 


19 


7.066 


6,803 



1,066 
1,137 
4,959 
1.018 
1,457 

549 
1.460 
1.366 

867 

13,907 



KEWAUNEE COUNTY. 



Abiuipee town 


687 
532 
706 
742 
747 
1.337 
497 
623 
917 
718 


632 
506 
706 
657 
726 
1.833 
440 
534 
780 
685 






1,319 
1,038 


Ahnapee village 










Caspo 

Franklin 

Kewaunee town & village. 


1,399 

1.473 

2.570 

937 




Pierre 


i'.697 
1.403 


Red River 




Total 


7,506 


6.899 




M A{\K. 









LiA CROSSE COUNTY. 



ISarre .. . . 


366 

667 
516 
528 
919 
426 
863 
461 

1,131 
725 

1,784 
596 

1,195 
712 
393 
482 
499 


348 
604 

485 
375 
940 
380 
839 
402 

1,205 
640 

1,916 
753 
982 
666 
287 
355 
433 


"a 

2 

"i' 

33 
6 
5 
3 
3 


■'i' 

1 

23 
2 
6 
2 


714 

1,271 

991 

906 

1,862 
806 

1.703 
863 

2.393 

1.373 

3.711 

1,354 

2,182 

1,378 

680 

837 

922 


Bangor 




Fannington . . . 


Gl'eenfield 


Hamilton 


Holland 


Laci-'is.si- (■ii\ — 

Fii-.st w;inl 

.Si r.md ward 

Third wanl 


Fifth ward 


Onalaska town 


Onalaska vlllaKe 

Shelby 








12,263 


11,590 


55 


37 


23,945 





LA FAYETTE COUNTY. 



Towns. Cities and 
Villages. 



Arpyle 

Uelmont 

Benton 

JJlaiichar<l 

Darlington 

Elk Grove 

J-'ayette 

Gratiot 

Kendall 

Monticello 

New DiggingM 

Seymour 

Shullsburg 

Wayne 

White Oak Springs 

Willow Springs. 

Wiota 

Total 



POPULATION. 






583 


571 






660 


591 




1 


886 


795 






273 


256 






1.330 


1,341 




o 


610 


433 






603 


695 






866 


856 






468 


420 






238 


231 




1 


922 


883 






523 


416 
1,287 






1,353 


1 




554 


527 






231 


215 






555 


509 






935 


866 


1 


■■■■ 

4 


11.388 


10,781 



1,154 
1,261 
1,681 

629 
2.671 

933 
1.197 
1.721 

888 

469 
1.805 

i(y8 
2.640 
1.081 

446 
1.064 
1.801 

23.169 



LiINCOLN COUNTY. 



Jenny . 



533 372 



MARQUETTE COUNTY. 



Buffalo 

Crystal Lake. 

Douglas 

Harris 

Montello , 

Mecan 

Moundville . 

Newton 

Neskoro 

Oxford 

Packwankee, 

Shield , 

Springfield.., 
Westfield.... 

Total.... 



362 


370 


1 




384 


330 






381 


338 






260 


271 






469 


425 






356 


3,52 






219 








331 


338 






277 


253 






374 


268 


.,.. 




343 


326 






343 


307 






163 


146 






338 


304 






4,490 


4,207 


1 





732 
714 
719 
531 
884 
708 
398 
669 
530 
642 
669 
650 
809 
642 

~a697 



MARATHON COUNTY. 





109 
585 
359 
373 
135 
414 
232 
307 
479 
159 
439 
1,560 
110 
363 


50 
639 
823 
298 
129 
361 
335 
238 
430 
119 
385 
1,260 
114 
215 










T 


159 


Kerrin 


1,124 


Brighton 


582 


Hull 


671 




264 


Maine 

Marathon 


785 
467 
545 


,stettin 


909 




278 




834 




2.820 


Weill : 


234 
479 






Total 


5,534 


4,586 




1 


10,111 





254 



HISTORY OF WISCO]SrSIX. 



MANITOWOC COUXTY. 





POPULATION. 




White. 


Colored 




Towns. Citiks and 


















1 




o 


"s 




E 




rt 


u 


0! 


IS 




S 


■=* 


^ 


b 


< 



Cato 

Ceiiterviiie 

Cooperstowii 

Eaton 

Franklin 

Gibson 

Kossuth 

Liberty 

Manitowoc city 

Manitowoc town... 

Hishicott 

Meeme 

Manitowoc Rapids. 

Maple Grove 

Newton 

Rockland 

Schleswjp 

Two Rivers village. 
Two Rivers town... 
Two Creeks 

Total 



951 


955 






824 








881 


883 






773 
935 


791 
887 










934 


875 






1,176 


1,084 






728 


692 






3.226 


3,498 


1 




606 


528 






885 


767 






901 


853 






1.U60 


1,014 






779 


644 






1,057 


1,016 






594 


549 






1.005 


953 






1.019 


932 






858 


857 






343 


313 






19.535 


18,921 


1 





1,906 
1,604 
1,714 
1,564 
1,822 
1,809 
2.260 
1.420 
5,724 
1,234 
1,652 
1,754 
2,074 
1,423 
2,073 
1,143 
1,958 
1,951 
1,715 
656 

38,456 



MILWAUKEE COUNTY. 



Milwaukee city- 
First ward 

Second ward 

Third ward 

Fourth ward 

Fifth ward 

Sixth ward 

Seventli ward 

Eighth ward 

Ninth ward 

lenth ward 

Eleventh ward.. 

Twelfth ward.... 

Tliirteentli ward 

Franltliii 

Greenfield 

Wauwatosa 

Granville 

Oalc Creek 

Lake 

Milwaukee town 

Total 



4.427 
6,874 
3.693 
5,025 
4,315 
3.929 
3.289 
3.332 
4.330 
3.584 
3.397 
2.026 
1,758 
945 
1.343 
2,416 
1,232 
1,155 
2,876 
1,812 

61,758 



5,101 
6.617 
3.483 
5.491 
3.978 
3.995 
3.774 
3.336 
2.328 
3,577 
3,250 
1,988 
1,694 
878 
1,299 
1,815 
1,199 
1,051 
2,370 
1,755 

60,979 



1 
"i' 

70 
7 


3 

"6 
70 
10 

'2' 














'2 
1 


2" 

1 



9,532 
13,491 

7.190 
10,6.')6 
8.310 
7,924 
7,072 
6,668 
8,658 
7,161 
6.647 
4.014 
3.452 
1.823 
2.646 
4,233 
2.431 
2,206 
5,246 
3,567 



96 94 122,927 



MONROE COUNTY. 



Adrian 


373 
274 
193 
408 
706 
387 
507 
234 
422 
404 
333 
462 
81 
370 
478 
630 
400 
1,814 
1,154 
460 
575 
335 


308 




'35 

"i 
ii' 


681 


Angeio 


256 1.... 


530 


Byron 


138 
381 
591 
328 
459 
206 
896 
338 
277 
381 
74 
323 
408 
516 
342 
1,923 
1,077 
397 
512 
294 


■33 
"6 


331 




789 




1,297 


Greenfield 


715 


Jefferson 


966 


La Fa vet If 


440 




886 


Leon 

Little Falls 


742 
613 




843 




155 


Oak D.-ile 


710 




886 


RldKCville 


1,146 


Sheldon 


742 




6 


7 


3,750 


Tomah 


2,231 


Wellington 


857 


Wilton 






1,087 


Wells 


629 








11.000 


9,925 !47 


54 


21,026 





OCONTO COUNTY. 



Towns, Cities ANi> 
Villages. 



POPULATION. 



White. Colored 



Gillett 

Little Suamico 
aiaple Valley.. 

Marinette 

Oconto town... 

Oconto city 

Feshtigo 

Pensaukee 

Stiles 

Total 



196 

551 

152 

1,446 

563 

2.371 

1.495 

744 

268 



7,786 



179 

361 

108 

1,086 

453 

2.086 

1.022 

537 

185 



6.017 



"3' 

1 


"2' 


2 


1 



6 3 






OUTAGAMIE COUNTY'. 



OZAUKEE COUNTY. 



Cedarburg 

Belgium 

Fredonia 

Grafton 

Mequon 

Port Washington, 
Saukville 

Total 



1,376 


1.268 


1,043 


1,009 


992 


924 


910 


844 


1,617 


1,522 


1,497 


1,481 


1,081 


979 


8,516 


8,029 



1 1 



PIERCE COUNTY. 



13,812 





3.307 

489 
638 
546 
836 
238 
536 
170 
689 
850 
842 
719 
562 
980 

408 
111 
100 
290 
759 


3,403 
492 
429 
463 
718 
179 
516 
140 
655 
731 
811 
669 
533 
937 
236 
338 
92 
100 
247 
624 


11 

■4' 
"4' 

"3" 
l- 


9 

"i' 

1 

"t" 


6.730 






974 


Black Creek . . . 


1.009 






417 


Dale 


1.052 
310 


Deer Creek 


Ellington 


1 353 




1.581 




1.653 






1 095 




1,917 
499 










203 


New London, 3d ward 


200 
537 




1 384 






Total 


13,233 


12..113 


22 


20 


25,558 



. 2,644 

. 1 2.052 

, . 1.916 

11 1.766 

.1 3.139 

.1 2.978 
2.060 



16.545 



Clifton 


388 
307 
645 
287 
380 
628 
124 
556 
644 
484 
535 
963 
430 
167 
403 
513 
297 
326 


824 
250 
554 
248 
343 
542 
101 
614 
480 
415 
544 
934 
369 
141 
327 
454 
252 
253 


"l 




712 


Diamond Bluff 


.557 




1.200 


El Paso 


535 




723 


H.artland 


1.170 


Isabella 


225 




1.070 


Maiden Rock 






1 024 




■«9 
10 

"4 


"2 


899 




1 132 


River Falls 


1.916 


Rock Elm 


799 




308 




730 


Trimbelle 


973 


Trenton 


549 


Union 


579 






Total 


7,977 


7.045 


44 


35 


15.101 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



255 



POLK COUNTY. 



Towns, Cities and 

VlLLAOKS. 



POPULATION 



White. 


Colored 








c 












rt 




a 




s 


— 


S 












t^ 


^ 


;*s 



Vlden 

Kl»ck Brook.. 
Balsam Lake., 

Eureka , 

Farmington... 

Linroln 

Luck 

Lorain 

Laketown , 

Milltown , 

Osceola , 

St. Croix Falls, 
Sterling , 

Total 



510 


447 






376 


318 






266 


268 


12 


9 


209 


174 






425 


363 




.... 


399 


3i3 






209 


141 


56 


47 


61 


45 






160 


157 






105 


85 


i(» 


» 


486 


438 






208 


198 






134 


110 






3548 


3,043 


78 


65 



957 

694 
555 
383 
777 
731 
453 
106 
317 
209 
914 
406 
244 

6.736 



PORTAGE COUNTY. 



Amherst 


650 
376 
248 
394 
277 
126 
522 
309 
244 
541 
671 
141 
651 
783 
234 

719 
741 
315 


575 
345 
330 
332 
232 
120 
497 
295 
199 
496 
514 
130 
616 
711 
134 

612 
687 
289 


.... 

1 




1.225 
731 




478 


Hueiia Vista 


726 




509 




346 


Hull 


1,019 




604 




443 




1,037 


Plover 

PineGrove 


1,085 

271 

1.367 




1,494 




368 


Stevens Point city- 


1,331 




1,428 




604 






Total 


7,843 


7,0- 


1 




14,856 







PEPIN COUNTY. 



Albany 

Duianil , 

Frankfort.., 

Lima 

Pepin 

Stockholm., 
Waterville., 
Waubeek..., 



Total S.OtJO 2,750 2 



194 


181 


497 


478 


271 


233 


311 


274 


759 


644 


315 


288 


593 


535 


120 


117 



375 
975 
504 
585 

1,406 
606 

1,128 
237 

5,816 



ROCK COUNTS. 



Avon 

lieloittowii 

Reloit tity 


445 
377 

2,162 
506 
542 
966 

1,060 
613 

' 468 

5,040 
611 
4.34 
698 
562 
945 
483 
639 
609 
522 
580 
592 

1,009 


433 
344 

2,371 
473 
498 
952 
950 
523 
400 

5,015 
576 
387 
533 
515 
930 
471 

•603 
546 
497 
558 
537 

1,013 


"i' 

"2" 

1 

34 ■ 
4 
1 

r 

1 


33" 

1" 
2 

26 

T 
1 


878 

723 

4.605 

981 




1.041 




1,922 


Fulton 


2,011 


Harmony 


1,136 

853 




10,115 




1 191 




823 




1,131 


Magnolia 


1,079 
1,877 




954 




1.243 




"2" 

1 




1,155 


Rock 


1,019 
1,138 


Tiiirtle 

Union 


1.131 
2 025 







KACINE COUNTY. 



Towns, Cities and 
Villages. 





rOPULATION. 




White. 


Colored 


<a 
















(S 












. 




V 


a 


u 










" 


^ 


'X 


S 


'X 


< 





1,403 

1,503 
538 

1.237 
506 

6,571 
824 
436 
789 
810 


1,424 

1,345 
455 

1,104 
457 

6,590 
710 
408 
725 
755 


1 

T 
■4' 

63 


51 


2,827 

993 
2,341 

963 

13.274 

1 534 




Dover 


Norway 

Racine city 


Rochester 

Waterford 


S44 
1,514 
1 565 






Total 


14,616 


13,973 


69 


53 


38 702 







RICHLAND COUNTY. 





361 
685 
560 
573 
598 
490 
463 
623 
463 
353 
902 
749 
588 
627 
527 
435 

8,896 


381 
614 
536 
525 
587 
433 
448 
697 
440 
334 
965 
690 
544 
483 
477 
403 

8,436 


■5 

1 

io 

16 


'i' 

~5~ 


742 




1,299 




1.086 




1.098 


Eagle 


1,185 




912 


Henrietta 


911 




1,219 


Marshall 


903 




687 


Richland 


1.874 


Riclnvood 

Rockiiridge 


1,440 
1,132 
1,010 




1,004 




851 


Total 


17,353 







ST. CROIX COUNTY. 





160 
355 
184 
235 
636 
173 
277 
648 
346 
979 
394 
361 
339 
604 
277 
372 
259 
358 
164 
520 
378 

8,009 


119 

247 
145 
209 
567 

250 
672 
297 
993 
331 
260 
316 
635 
261 
808 
233 
314 
166 

11% 

6,941 


r 


— 


279 




602 


Cady 


331 




447 




1,203 




303 




529 




1.220 




643 




1,977 




725 




621 




645 




1,140 


Somerset 


538 
680 




r 

~6~ 


1 


482 




672 




330 




916 


Warren 


683 




14.966 







SAUK COUNTY. 



Baraboo 

Bear Creek 

r»elton 

Dv,Iiona 

Excelsior .. 
Fairfield... 
Franklin ... 



Htvi 



2,026 


1,931 11 


S 


406 


402 ... 




416 


413 .... 




311 ■ 


281 .... 




567 


485 .... 


1 


382 


342 .... 




483 


449 .... 




Kt\n 


Aan 





3,976 
808 
829 
592 

1 CI53 
724 
933 



256 



HISTORY OF WISCON.SIX. 



SAUK COUNTY.— Cont'd. 





POPCLATION. 


Towns, Cities axd 


While. 


Colored 




Vll-LAliES. 




'X, 


1 § 
S fa 


1 

CD 



Greenfield 

Honey Creek. 

Iroiitoii 

La V;i11p 

Merrimack... 
I'rairte (in Sai 
KeedsbuiK.. . 
SprliiK Creek 

Sumpter 

Troy 

Washinctoii.. 

WeslfieM 

WiiiHfl.l 

Woodland.... 

Total.... 



391 


374 


1 




766 


648 


622 




1.270 


678 


6)3 






1.311 


604 


549 






1,153 


456 


430 






886 


954 


1.045 






1.999 


1,114 


1,126 


2 




2.242 


533 


516 






1,049 


392 


381 






773 


551 


5U1 






1,052 


567 


526 








683 


632 


3 


2 


1„320 


439 


378 






827 


645 


575 






1,2S0 


13,816 


13,088 


17 


11 


26,932 



SHAWANO COUNTY. 





53 
206 
363 
272 
150 
477 
147 
243 

80 
238 
164 

90 

72 
131 
405 
2:)9 
218 


30 
130 
345 
19S 
124 
441 
135 
196 

228 

136 

89 

60 

93 

362 

216 

197 




83 






236 


Belle Vlahie 


•14 "S 

::::;;:: 


708 




470 




291 


Hartland 


918 




282 




439 


Na vareno , 

Palla 


•12 


•id 


148 
466 
300 


Sessor . 

Seneca 

Shawano town 


179 
132 
224 
789 




455 




1 


415 






Total 


3,548 


3,048 


26 


13 


6,635 



•Stocklirldgo Indian.s. 

SHEBOYGAN COUNTY. 





1,004 

1,152 

1,535 

1,167 

864 

637 

552 

1,369 

793 

283 

754 

796 

565 
1,1.50 
736 
918 
993 
612 
872 
616 


969 

1.085 

1.402 

1,149 

793 

544 

541 

1,306 

778 

267 

750 

710 

631 
1,192 
683 
953 
917 
563 
815 
606 






1,973 




T 




2.237 




2,937 




2,316 




1.658 


Mlteliull 


1.181 


^osel 






1,093 








2,675 


Rhine 


■ 1,569 




550 




1,604 




1,506 


ShebovK^ncny— 

Ursi wiird 

Second wjird 






1,196 
2.342 
1.419 








1,871 


SIiebovKaii Falls 

,SlielM)ygiin Falls village ... 

Slieniian 

Wilson 


1,910 
1,175 
1,687 
1,222 








17,368 


16.6.52 


1 




34.021 







TREMPEALEAU COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 




AVhile. Colored 




To\rNP, Cities am> 




- 


Village.**. 










ee 










c 






o 


CS 


« 


c 






5 




« 








a -A 


Ui 


b 


< 



Arcadia 


1,464 
201 
547 
293 
285 
774 
889 
557 
410 
755 
316 
406 
882 


1368 
169 
493 
212 
291 
741 
856 
463 
335 
706 
303 
412 
795 






2.832 

370 

1,040 




"3' 
T 






— 
.... 


510 




576 


Ettrlcli 


1.515 


(iale 


1.745 


Hale 


l.Oio 




745 




1.484 




619 




878 


Trempealeau 


1.678 


Total 


7.844 


7.144 


' 




14,992 



TAYLOR COUNTY. 


Mpdf.nd... 


1 5421 2971 7, 


3 1 


849 


VERNON COUNTY. 





476 

734 
483 
506 
361 
703 
358 
451 
650 
519 
584 
642 
554 
254 
464 
659 
355 
1,046 
522 
442 
403 


4.^8 
640 
456 
451 
343 
638 
359 
434 
569 
487 
524 
552 
561 
223 
435 
621 
266 
970 
473 
441 
344 


1 
'55 

■ l" 
1 


1 

58 

.... 
.... 

"l" 

:::: 


936 




1.374 


Clinton 


939 




957 




812 




1.341 




717 


Greenwood 


885 
1.219 




1.006 




1.108 




1,194 


Kickapoo 

Liberty 


1.115 
447 




899 




1,280 




623 




2.016 




9!I6 


Wheatland 


883 




747 






Total 


11,166 


10,245 


58 


55 


81,524 







WALWORTH COUNTY. 



Uloomfield 

Darien 

Delavaii village 


591 
713 
836 
385 
704 
510 
836 
541 
514 
506 
443 
736 
490 

1,001 
596 
502 
530 
655 

2,060 


516 
729 
933 
879 
685 
5«9 
844 
IBS 
495 
449 
427 
664 
435 
973 
584 
476 
481 
616 
S.32S 


V 




1.107 

1.442 

1,785 

764 


East Troy 

KIkliorn 


1,389 


T 



T 

7 


■g' 


1.0il9 
1 6S0 




1.010 




i.oun 




955 


Lion . . 


870 
1.4^0 






9-.'6 




1,!IS9 




1.1 SO 




978 




2 


"8 


1,011 




1.270 


Whitewater 


4.396 






Total 


13,149 


13,067 


18 


25 


86,259 



STATISTICS OF AVISCONSIN. 



2r.r 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 





POPULATION. 




Towns, cities and 


White. 


Colored 






Male. 
Female. 


— 


6 


i 



Addison 

Bartou 

Erin 

Faniiington 

Germantowu 

Hartford , 

Jackson 

Kewaskum , 

Polk 

Richfield , 

SchleisingerviUe.. 

Trenton 

Wayne , 

West Bend town.. . 
West Bend village 

Total 



951 


85 V 






1 808 


860 


689 1 t.... 


1,350 


612 


571 ....1.... 


1 183 


878 


8:19 ....1... 


1,717 


1.030 


955 ....'.--- 




1,403 


1,321 


3 




2,727 


1,038 


1,014 






2,042 


731 


703 






1,434 


936 


830 






1.756 


921 


819 .... 




1,740 


220 


IHO .... 




380 


1,005 


907 






1.913 


855 


855 






1,710 


451 


444 






893 


601 


634 






1,225 










12,282 


11,576 


4 




23,862 



WAUKESHA COUNTY. 



Brooklielil 

DelaBeld 

EaRle 

Genesee 

Lisbon 

Menonioiiee 

Merton 

Mukwonago 

Muskego 

New Berlin 

Ottawa 

Ocononiowoc town., 
Ocononiowoc city.. 

Pewaukee 

Summit 

Vernon 

Wnukeslia town — 
Waukeslia viliage.. 



Total 15,140 



1.128 
792 
617 
746 
761 

1,205 
■ 778 
563 
766 
887 
464 
759 
996 

1,054 
619 
657 

1.031 

1.318 



1,095 
716. 
606 
629 
668 

1,143 
736 
673 
684 
830 
419 
710 

1,115 

1,016 
540 
588 
700 

1.449 



14,19 



WAUPACA COUNTY'. 



2,338 
1,509 
1,224 
1,376 
1,421 
2,348 
1,633 
1,135 
1,450 
1,707 
893 
1.474 
3,131 
2,080 
1.159 
1,347 
1,735 
2,807 



29,425 





393 
478 
426 
131 
411 
456 
111 
478 
388 
408 
534 
588 
192 
510 
875 
511 
566 
448 
205 
938 
413 
261 
427 

10,146 


384 
451 
390 
119 
363 
403 
112 
439 
376 
363 
203 
632 
183 
426 
801 
495 
512 
397 
184 
1,036 
369 
237 
388 

9,451 


l" 
.... 

"i' 


'4" 


«...- 




929 




817 




250 




774 




858 


Helvetia 

lola 


333 
917 




764 




771 


Lind 


1,037 


"Little Wolf 


1,120 




372 




966 




1,682 


Ror.ilton 

BcandlnaTla 


1.006 

1,078 

845 








389 




2 

"5" 


.... 


1,976 




782 


Weyauwega 


498 
815 


Total 


19,646 







WAUSHARA COUNTY. 







POPULATION. 




Towns. Cities and 


Wiiite. 


Colored 






6 


a 


6 
3 




t 
< 




537 
692 
137 
256 
132 
223 
443 
309 
300 
331 
459 
47.3 
193 
180 
384 
245 
322 
347 


473 
666 
147 
344 
114 
256 
399 
279 
369 
277 
397 
437 
185 
186 
319 
236 
335 
361 


4 



6 


1.020 
1,358 

500 


Bloonitieid .. . 


Coloma 

Dakota 


Deerfield 


a36 


Hancock 


479 




i 




84-2 




588 




569 


Oasis 


t)08 






Plainfleid 






37a 

366 


Ricliford 


.Saxviile 


703 


Spriiiawater 


471 
647 




708 




Total 


6,953 


5,560 


4 


6 


11.523 



WINNEBAGO COUNTY. 



Algoraa 

Black Wolf.. 

Clayton 

jlenasha 

Menasha city. 

Neenah 

Nekinii 

Nepeuskin ... 
Neenah city.. 

Oshkosh 

Omro 

Oshkosh city. 

Poygan 

Rusuford 

Utica 

Vinland 

Winchester... 
WioTieconne. 
Wolf River... 

Total..,. 



393 


396 






459 


438 






691 


609 






389 


331 






1,679 


1.961 






376 


352 


3 


3 


697 


578 






573 


560 






2,062 


1,961 






610 


510 


I 


3 


1.622 


1,690 






8.B72 


8,263 


31 


41 


4H3 


405 






1.055 


1,018 


3 


3 


579 


499 






588 


553 






596 


536 






1,313 


1,230 


4 


1 


460 


417 






33,106 


21,825 


51 


51 



WOOD COUNTY, 



Aburndale 

Ceiitralia city 

Dexter 

Grand Rapids city 

Grand Rapids 

Lincoln 

Port Edwards 

Rudoipii 

Remiiigton 

Saratoga 

Sigel 

Seneca 

Wood 

Total 



789 

897 
1.300 

720 
3,170 

534 
1,275 
1,123 
4,023 
1.124 
3.313 
17.015 

868 
2,079 
1,078 
1,141 
1,131 
2,577 

877 



45,033 



102 


74 






176 


439 


371 


1 




800 


191 


113 






304 


737 


680 
297 


1 




1,418 


376 


■J 


1 


677 


231 


194 






425 


193 


117 






310 


255 


217 






47a 


79 


73 






163 


159 


144 






303 


231 


201 


1 




433 


183 


165 






849 


135 


104 






229 


3,291 


2,750 


6 


1 


6,048 



258 



HISTORY OF WISCONSIX, 



POPULATION BY COUNTIES. 

SUMMARY FROM STATE AND FEDERAL CENSUS. 



Counties. 


1840. 


1850. 


1855. 


1880. 


1865. 


1870. 


1875. 


\<Hms 




187 


6.868 


6.492 

515 

13 

353 

11.795 

3.864 
12 

7.895 

1,895 

789 

24,441 

8,068 
43,922 
42.818 

2,948 
812 

2,704 

3.162 
34,154 
31,189 
19.808 
12.663 
18.967 

4.170 
30,438 

8.770 
13.900 

5.530 
12,186 
18.134 

'si', 418 
8.892 
8.233 

62,518 
8.410 
3.592 
9.587 

15.682 
2.392 
4.672 
1,400 
7,507 

21,360 

5,392 

18,963 

829 

26,875 

""ilseo 

11,007 
26,498 
23.622 
26.831 
8.851 

2i;??8 

2.425 


5.698 
256 

"869 
15.282 

6.776 
171 

8.6.38 

3.278 

1,011 
26,112 
11,011 
50,198 
46,841 

3.098 
532 

5.170 

5.281 
42.029 
33.618 
20,646 
12.596 
20.657 

5.631 
30.597 
10.013 
12.876 

7.039 
14,834 
20,858 

"26,768 

3.678 

7.387 

72.820 

11.652 

4.858 

11.852 

14.882 

3.002 

6,324 

1.677 

8.145 

22.884 

12.186 

86.033 

7.255 

20.154 

1.389 

27.671 


6.601 

221 

538 

344 

25.168 

11,123 

706 

12,335 

8.3U 

3,450 

28.802 

1.3.075 

53.096 

47.035 

4.919 

1.122 

9.488 

10.769 

46.273 

37.979 

23.611 

13.195 

24.544 

7.687 

34.0.50 

12.396 

13.177 

10.281 

20.295 

22.667 

"SS'.SM 

5.885 

8.057 

89.936 

16.562 

8.382 

18.440 

15.579 

4.659 

10.003 

3.422 

10.640 

86.748 

15.736 

39,030 

11,039 

23,868 

3,165 

31,773 

"i6',78'8 
18,673 
85.992 
23.905 
28.258 
15.533 
11.379 
37.325 
8.911 


6.502 






















'tiieM 
832 


1.032 




2,107 


6.215 


35.373 


Kiilfalo 


14 219 










Uiiliiiaet 

Clitppewa 

(^'Im-k 


875 


1.743 
615 

'■■■gises 

2.498 
16639 
19.138 


3.g?i 

838 

232 

17.965 

3.323 

37.714 

34.540 

739 

385 

1,796 


15.065 
13 ^95 




7 282 






28.803 




1,502 

314 

67 


1.5.035 




52.798 




48.394 




8 020 


Dc.tiKhis 






741 






13 427 






16.198 
8.566 


15.991 




139 
926 
933 


24.781 
23.170 
14.827 

' ih'Mi 

1,098 
26,869 


.50.241 




39 08H 








15 074 




3.978 


9.522 

'is.s'ii 
'iftm 


24.133 




11.339 




914 


34.908 






Ki-iiiisha 




12,397 
1,109 
3,904 

16.064 

"'n,ois 

447 
1.427 

46.265 
2,407 
1,501 
4.914 

12,973 


13 907 






14 405 






"ii'.ssi 


















235 


3,702 

489 

508 

31,077 






10 111 




18 
5.605 


8,i97 




122 927 




















25 558 








16 545 


Hej.lii 












1,720 
547 

5,151 
20.673 

S,S84 
31,364 

2.040 

13.614 

254 

20.391 




j>(,lji 




■■■■i;25o 

14,973 
963 

20,750 

624 

4,371 


6 736 




1,623 
3,475 

■ 'i',70i 
809 
102 


14.856 
28.702 




17 353 


Hock 


39 039 




14 956 












133 


8,370 






849 








498 

4,823 

22,668 

18,897 

24,012 

4,437 

5.541 

17.439 


5.199 
13.644 
25.773 
24.019 
87.029 
11.208 

9.002 
29.767 

8.965 














2.611 
343 


17.862 
19.485 
19.258 


26 2.59 




23 862 






















135 


10,167 


45.033 


Wood :;:;::::;::!:!.!! 


6 048 












Total 


30.945 


305.391 


552.109 


775.881 


868.385 


1.054.670 


1 236 729 







In a note to the territory of Indiana returns appears the following: 
tippi, had 65, and Green Bay 50 inhabitants. 



'On the Ist of August, 1800, Prairie du Cblen. on the Missis- 



STATISTICS OF AVISCOXSIN'. 



250 



NATIVITY BY COUNTIES. 

CENSUS OF 1S70. 



Adams 

Ashland 

U.iiron 

I'.aytield 

iirown ,. 

i;tiii:ilo 

Jliirriett 

t'alniiu'T 

Clii|ipcwa.. .. 

(M;iik i. 

('oluiiil)ia ..k. 

X'lawford 

I>atu- 

Iio.li^e 

Iiih>r ii 

Itniiijias 

iMlllll 

i-^iiii Claire.. . 
iM.iMldu Lac. 

(ii.-uit 

lll'tMl 

tiri'en Lake.. 

I..w;i 

.IaPk-<oil 

.irltcison 

'.iiiiifau 

Kfri.>sha 

Kt'\MiUMee ... 
I. a I "rosae .... 
r.a Kity.'tte... 
Manitowoc. . 
Marathon.... 
M aiiiuette... 
Milwavikee. .. 
Muiuoc 

D.-mUo 

oiiiaKamie... 

O/aiikee 

ivpin 

TitTCO 

J'Mlk 

l''"taK'e 

Kaciiio 

lii. lilaml 

Sauk.!!!!!.!!! 

.'^ha\vano 

.'ihi-ltovgan... 

.■st, Croix 

Ti ■■mpt'Aleaii 

\'i-riion.. 

Walworth.... 
Washinjfton . 
W.uikesha... 

\V;nipa<*a 

Waushara.... 
\\ innetjaRO.. 
\\..,„i 



Native. 


■/. 


w 


P 


^ 














u 


u 






n 


m 


5,351 


2,649 


174 


148 


246 


132 


ass 


175 


14.728 


11,098 


B.854 


4,433 


144 


100 


7.661 


5,658 


4.725 


2,764 


2.751 


1,196 


19.652 


12,233 


9.612 


5,808 


3:1.456 


22.738 


28.708 


20,934 


2,806 


1,903 


712 


340 


6.268 


3.177 


7,394 


3.336 


31.477 


20.112 


28.565 


19.390 


18..532 


10.643 


9.098 


4.535 


15.366 


12,562 


5,764 


2,966 


21.74T 


15,407 


9.361 


5,359 


9.066 


5,959 


4.642 


4.21)8 


11.695 


6,779 


15,935 


11,346 


16.868 


15,109 


3.139 


3.333 


5.128 


3.342 


47.697 


37,183 


12,512 


6.722 


4,591 


2.677 


11.741 


8.060 


8.728 


8.214 


3.351 


1.612 


7.460 


3,618 


2,249 


931 


7,213 


4.337 


l.i,949 


11.336 


1.3.954 


6,547 


30.712 


15.209 


17.308 


9.795 


1,688 


1,133 


19.192 


14.957 


7.451 


4.158 


6.339 


3.700 


13.605 


7.232 


20.822 


11.214 


13.868 


12..504 


18,368 


13.304 


11.011 


6.225 


8.702 
25.209 


^t-m 


2.538 


1.58'r 



FORKKJX BOUN. 



1,250 

47 

292 

56 

10,440 
4.369 
562 
4.674 
8,586 
699 
9.150 
3,463 

19.640 

18.327 
2.113 
410 
3.230 
3.375 

14.796 
9,414 
5.079 
4,097 
9,178 
1,923 

12,393 
3.011 
4,081 
5,486 
8,602 
6.734 

16.496 
2.746 
2.928 

42.233 
4,038 
3,730 
6,689 
6,836 
1,308 
2,498 
1,173 
3,421 

10,791 
1,777 
8,318 
6.552 
1.478 

12.557 
3.584 
4,393 
.5,040 
5.150 

10.051 
9.906 
4,538 
3,577 

13.070 
1.374 



IS 



127 

13 

137 

33 

1,687 

173 

4 

165 

1,437 
226 
511 
397 
684 
565 
290 
133 
437 
767 

1,754 
386 
372 
290 
346 
391 
369 
336 
138 
159 
580 
186 
518 
216 
151 
884 
356 

1,645 
796 

no 

308 
310 
191 
401 
270 
168 
755 
386 
111 
323 
816 
209 
184 
391 
97 
333 
508 
264 
1,558 
636 



■« 










-«• 




,3 


^ 




cS 




















^ 


a! 





a 



i 


w 


-■ 


yi 


a 


&• 


142 


225 


26 


133 


5 


4 


18 


■ 1 


8 




2 


7 


1 


41 




2 


4 


23 


3 




273 


1,442 


112 
125 


2,733 


68 


56 


243 


1,971 


39 


4 


1 


1 


1 




167 


500 


13 


3,267 


51 


120 


417 


39 


958 


34 


81 


45 


18 


235 


4 


2.046 


1,332 


629 


3.774 


30 


186 


906 


48 


640 


35 


1,631 


2.955 


465 


6.276 


160 


1,236 


2,801 


256 


13,656 


187 


89 


228 


23 


436 


27 


41 


66 


6 


60 


4 


147 


227 


51 


843 


17 


242 


487 


54 


835 


34 


1,391 


2.573 


317 


7,372 


125 


2,531 


1,281 


189 


3,585 


83 


598 


943 


50 


892 


39 


597 


413 


62 


3,634 


8 


3,897 


1,339 


86 


1,447 


21 


151 


1.37 


92 


350 


29 


934 


1.067 


182 


8.445 


41 


395 


1,104 


81 


518 


11 


650 


813 


100 


3.082 


39 


47 


313 


16 


1.611 


22 


570 


488 


109 


3.831 


52 


2,281 


3.345 


111 


729 


17 


223 


1.133 


52 


9.335 


93 


49 


103 


36 


3.339 


19 


252 


537 


198 


1.661 


1 


1,973 


4,604 


503 


29.019 


288 


510 


641 


87 


1.601 


38 


in 


423 


38 


797 


23 


171 


793 


85 


3,363 


61 


48 


475 


18 


4,422 


92 


91 


118 


39 


300 


27 


103 


423 


34 


449 


16 


46 


102 


19 


172 


27 


217 


369 


99 


1,223 


39 


1,878 


1,039 


889 


3,859 


82 


222 


431 


46 


481 


35 


1,382 


3.870 


490 


1,142 


78 


765 


946 


103 


3.433 


65 


27 


24 


5 


1.096 


4 


303 


943 


38 


8,497 


119 


150 


1.203 


5ii 


294 


6 


185 


286 


141 


776 


23 


189 


306 


87 


661 


30 


921 


1.729 


148 


1.173 


81 


no 


882 


36 


8.213 


134 


2,065 


1.593 


397 


4.335 


37 


260 


517 


60 


1.243 


39 


508 


307 


43 


816 


n 


1,531 


1.399 


146 


5.361 


53 


42 


171 


34 


299 


3 



Jj« 



537 

3 

98 

1 

451 

556 

551 

3 

439 

79 

1.515 

764 

6,601 

383 

344 

93 

1.336 

871 

156 

543 

1,017 

27 

1,647 

944 

384 

379 

29 

97 

3,646 

993 

1,430 

73 

31 

636 

573 

831 

37 

98 

484 

1,053 

483 

795 

1,088 

337 

1,428 

93 

146 

234 

940 

2,633 

3,138 

579 

40 

486 

1,225 

320 

762 

108 

















es 






7^ 


•3 












d 


^ 












a 


02 


a 


4 


9 

"i4 


6 


102 


31 


947 


67 


941 


4 


168 


82 


■ 92 


34 


35 


29 


1 


1 




34 


67 


44 


402 


46 


3 


195 


216 


17 


167 


97 


77 


43 


16 


3 




2 


2 




44 


3 


2 


39 


1 


7 


193 


627 


547 


118 


71 


4 


1,247 


3 




1 


3 


843 


31 


13 


12 


6 


I 


309 


144 


19 


3 


11 


I 


11 


30 


44 


2,011 


27 


48 


489 


271 


94 




21 


3 


3,360 


153 


51 


3 


3 






1 


4 


1,524 


447 


864 


40 


43 


35 


72 


3 


79 


7 


54 


785 


11 


20 
7 


34 




76 


11 


1 


8 


1 


11 


5 


5 


703 


67 


49 


124 


11 


4 


6 


50 


6 


H 


601 


34 




12 


8 


38 


99 


1,683 




8 


38 


41 


16 


6 


281 


85 


3 


1 


40 


15 


296 


79 


58 


54 


96 


48 


8 


65 


2 




3 


1 


36 


300 
23 


33 



32 



371 



49 
11 
131 
37 
82 

3 
51 
21 
98 
18 
13 
15 

3 

15 
55 
71 

44 

55 

3 

38 

"5 
130 
2 
«0 
S6 
16 

19 

106 

47 

1,294 

3 

52 

9 

23 

8 

71 

9 

39 

28 

2 

278 

557 

369 

723 

51 



260 



HISTORY OF WISCONSm. 



VALUATION OF PROPERTY 



IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 



ASSESSED Valuation of Taxable Property for the I 
YEAR 1876. I 



Valuation of Cxt-\xbd Property, prom assessors' 

RETIENS for 1875 AND 1876. 



COONTIES. 


Value of per- 
sonal property. 


Value of 
real estate. 


Total. 


Adams 


$ 179,771 

42.686 

146.374 

21.705 

442,287 

438.501 

32.419 

373.946 

965.624 

281.813 

1.875.049 

527.043 

4.610.768 

2.446.793 

135.107 

19.434 

1,052.300 

1.3.54.142 

2,489.759 

2,602.795 

1,966,599 

789,736 

1,233.676 

472.124 

1.753.985 

660.125 

1.320,957 

.546,678 

1,336.271 

1.196.502 

13654 

1.141.320 

335.078 

826.668 

15,345.281 

658.191 

4.55.741 

623.744 

381.784 

235.283 

738.082 

237.567 

564.079 

2.418.248 

612.171 

4,462.048 

816,768 

1,364,772 

121,267 

1,903,861 

53.812 

840.378 

924.835 

3.187.722 

1.062.347 

3,165.504 

480.837 

843.509 

3.081.308 

251.669 


S 624.168 

889.523 

1.043.964 

533.167 

2.195.053 

890.028 

442,765 

2.107.211 

4.359.245 

2,355,972 

7,083.892 

1.457.586 

14.882.179 

11.014.318 

659.6.50 

410.227 

1,875.148 

4,204.233 

11,649.769 
7.039.201 
6.290.829 
3.485.819 
4.348.452 
1.040,417 
7.896.833 
1.607.245 
4.488.186 
2.560.641 
4.015.568 
4.77.5.417 
1.532.542 
5.290.599 
1,744.901 
1.033.967 

46.477.283 
1.994,911 
3.411. .557 
3.348.267 
2.803.688 
595.316 
2.435.319 
1.121.599 
1.592.018 
8.071.811 
1.908.386 

18,931.410 
SllO.445 
4,036.813 
68.5.917 
7.096.170 
816.421 
1.904.988 
2.288.420 

10.559.519 
4.927.H34 

11,892.119 

1.826.908 

1.34.3.029 

9.810.290 

598,920 


S 803.939 

932.189 

1,190.338 

554.872 

2,637.340 

1.328.529 

475.184 

2.481.157 

5,324.869 

2.637.785 

8.958.941 

1,984.629 

19.492.947 

13.461.111 

.794.757 

429.661 

2.927,448 

5.558.375 

14.139..528 
9.541.996 
8,257.428 
4.275.555 
5.582.128 
1.512.541 
9.650818 
2.267.370 
5,809.143 
3,107.319 
5.351.839 
5.971.919 
1.546.196 
6.431.923 
2.079.979 
1.360.635 

6L822.564 
2.653.102 
3.867.298 
.3,972,011 
3.185.472 
830.599 
3.173.401 
1.359.166 
2.1.56.097 

10.490.(159 
2.520.557 

18.393.458 
3.927.213 
5,401,585 
807.184 
9,000.031 
870.233 
2.74.5..366 
3.213.255 

13.747.241 
5.989.981 

15.057.623 
2.30r.745 
1.686 .538 

12.891.598 
850.589 


.\sblaiKl 


Bayfleld 


Buffalo 


Burnett 

Calumet 

Cbippewa 

Clark 

Columbia 

Crawford 

Dane 


Uodge 


Door 


Douglas 

Dunn. 


Bau Claire 

Fond du Lac... 
(irant 


Green 


Green Lake.... 


•lacksoii 

Jefferson 


Kenosha 

Kewaunee 

La Crosse 

L.a Fayette 

Lincoln 

Manitowoc 

Marathon 

.Marquette 

.Milwaukee 

Monroe 

Dconlo 


Outagamie 

OzauKoe 




Polk 

Portage 

Kaclne 

KlcUland 

Kock 


St. Croix 

Sauk 


Sbewano 

Sheboygan 


Trempealeau.. 


Walworth 

WashinKtOD... 

Waukesha 

Waupaca 

Waushara 

Winnebago 

Wood 




Total 




5274.417.873 


J351. 780.351 



Co., town. ISchool, col- 
city and lege and 
village academy 

property, property. 



$ 



6,147 
2,340 



6.300 
43.325 
15,300 

"ilido 

"31 350 
29.785 

"7;20'6 
45.800 

"i7iiiS3 

"72,136 
49.320 
52.505 
25.650 

' isiMO 

600 

12.600 

"19; 300 
10.760 
81.000 



28.210 
15.700 

6.680 
1.318.506 

5,368 

" ia4'o'6 

5.280 

25 

13.950 

""8.000 

22.700 

525 

28.000 

11,400 

9.000 

2.000 

10,725 

350 

1.600 

70,200 

7,500 

700 

250 

21,350 

6.380 

1,500 

82 ,(ita,ii:i6 



$ 9.900 
4,925 

""i.ioo 

102,635 

27,787 

1.500 

""5.160 

3.000 

115.605 

11.000 

"sfteao 

""3!i24 

3.200 

16.933 

60.500 

197.405 

66.875 

" 36.774 

"66i20'6 

"ieises 

17.720 
3.500 

56.930 
9.640 

21.248 

27.202 

8.735 

771,265 

13,200 

"wim 

18.415 
8.247 
73.875 
10.940 
25.916 
24.625 

"solooo 



7.211 
4.125 
2,800 
2,000 

"l50.2d6 

500 

34.940 
21.080 
29.495 



2.735.817 



property, v^v^^^j- 



$ 4.713 

1,000 

125 

2.f85 

83.369 

29.760 

3.000 

13.220 

65.014 

1.300 

91.142 

4.100 

359.390 

121,075 

7.029 

2.351 

8.200 

56.930 

259.900 

109.405 

76.995 

23.840 

55.026 

15.075 

172.300 

19.280 

46.860 

18.521 

110.648 

71.610 

"54; 874 

16,825 

12.080 

1.212.390 

33.158 

38.100 

73,375 

32,920 

4,180 

25,115 

5.272 

42.470 

236.000 

37.915 

242.650 

41,370 

87,670 

5.714 

12.3.895 

"26! .306 

2.325 

129.310 

120.670 

218.780 

34.410 

22.524 

36.860 

27.000 

4.774.828 



$1,220,000 



94,025 
160 



73 



175,886 
64 095 

110.000 
89.800 
84.400 



421.604 

627.155 

95.450 

2.000 

"6i!sb6 

75,000 
237.915 
120.000 

51.800 
300 

"162.666 



146,901 
50,653 

1,271! 606 

17,585 

76,720 

347,515 

136,000 

22,026 



70.400 
250.975 

"751! 950 
68.720 
22.500 

"55!8S6 

336.400 

8.300 

■ i86!6o6 



2.800 



84.780 
2,720 



7,487.827 



D. S.. state! 

and all 

other 

property. 



400 



2.780 
900 



1.340 

10.421 

100 

252.987 

14,400 

200 



60.000 
16.780 
32.245 

500 
2.730 

600 

81266 
6.275 

10.500 
2.525 

15.300 

74.800 

400 

8,595 



682.800 
2.340 

"8.666 
3.470 
9.835 
1.000 
6.735 
900 
120.950 

■34.656 
5.850 
1,150 



41,600 

775 

1.300 

140.000 

60.033 

200 

2.325 

1.200 

1.550 

7.740 

1.662.388 



$ 21.15a 

1,228.265 

125 

10.885 
326.638. 

78.897 
4.500 

14.393 

60.174 
184.875 
812.028 
125.200 
699.357 
296 305 
7 229 

22 638. 
428 004 
833 153 
478.9SO- 
384.520 
170,020 

8a07O 
183.680 
253.599 
402.300 

77.35.'. 
123. S25 

49.516 
264.043 
202.340 

10.040 
254. (i28 
110.380 

26 495 
5,257.555 

71 651 
114.820 
524. .580 
196.090 

44.253 
11 I 740 

22.047 
147.li,'*« 
W5.25I1 

:tl. IKl 
l.IOT.iVI 

air.Mo 

Il:!.120 

14. '.125 

191.775 

380.800 

3,i.725 

26.050 

670 710 

I8S.'JI3 

220.1.50 

74.225 

67.954 

159.06.'i 

38.960 

18.524.196 



STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN. 



261 



ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS 
GROWN IN 1876. 



Counties. 


NUMBER OF ACRES. 


Wheat. 


Corn. 


Oats. 


Barley. 


Rye, 


Hops. 


Tobacco. 


Flax-seed. 




6.146 

4.07bv 

' 1R384 
48,507M 

1,179 
32,860M 
10.443 

3.457 

64,472 

19,054 

89,253 

128.708 

4.771 


11,456 

26 
6395^ 
20 
13,923 
9,213K 
216M 
4,583 
2,734 
1,596 
40,274 
19,173 
84,072 
29,401V 
352 
5 
9,671 
11,765 
18.208M 
98.709 
.58.168 
15.608 
46,980 

8.071M 
88.379 
11,84854 
15.813 
1,066 
10,581 
61,549 


5,353 
84 

3,477X 
15 

5.732 

12.5735;; 

637 

9.858 

9.032 

2.408 
24.071 
10.584 
67.120 
25.592« 

3.391 

50 

13.833 

7.183 
20.763 
62.054 
34.191 

8.013 
34,433 
13.1895< 
16,845 
14,2725< 
14.174 
10,632 
l',249 
.■10,194 

21,4375!; 

5.020 

4,873 

10,8 1354 

12,864 

3,112 

2,44754 

9 473 

4,475 

8,338 

1,842 

9.0865i 

15,2415< 

11.6065i 

60.103 

17.541 

24.469V 

4.40854 

16.704 

5454 

15.034 

23.055 

28.225 

14.104 

18.980 

7.44S 

8.847 

13.813 

1,029 


83 


8,488 


660 










B,irron 

BayfieUl 


75954 


282V 


27 







5.012 

2.761 

58 

4.048V 

1.258 

208 

7694 

3.912 

23.499 

11,463 

696 


5.254 

870 

264 

23154 

~ 185 

95 

7 648 

1.588 

7,410 

2.134 V 

788 


17)4 
954 






Buffalo 














39 
1054 

5935i- 

18 
31754 
136 


9 








Clark 










4V 




15 
2.45954 
8 




''\^ 




Door 










27.308 
2P ^85 
87,612 
29,643 

4.409 
37,064 
21.676 
19.9.53 
33.569 
11.5985?; 

4.782 
17,703 
38.8fO 

4.4.i3 
262 

4,538>i 

4..548 

9,517 
11.774 
31.634 

2,490 

8 076 
27 -25M 
la..>90M 
41.187 

9.293 
15.701M 

7.884X 
13.228X 
12.384M 
77.810 
27,701 

6,485 
45,959 

60K 
53.656 
42.277 
20,588 
53.691 
34.140 
13.516 
12 573 
49 999 
637 


1,560 
1,242 
8 554 
2,839 

66654 
1,170 
2.60954 
1.739 
8.773 

445 
1.649 
2.164 
3.045 
1.273 
20 
4,299 

670 

93 

5,063 

1,769 

357 

94054 
4.1 16K. 

6I3V 
2.851 

440 
1.28414 
2.22S'^ 

589^!; 
19.424 
2.022 
2.197'.f 

205 
7.519 

2.38T5< 
5.542 
8.93454 
6.614 

lioeo 

636V 
1,427 
2954 


1.156 

933 

75454 
3.296 
3.79354 
3.455 
1.892 

613 
7.611 
3.137 

611 
3.520 
3.177 
1,735 


68 

11 

44 
113!< 

28 
212 
17954 

7154 
840 
1.169 
8 

24954 
13 




m 




H 






2 




29 
44 


25.31? 




•163 
23 






i 


10,145 








100 






6 






3,434 




7 
8g 








16.670 








854K 

355 

1.5.181 

7.104M 

12,608 

714 

4 761 

6.934 
8.984 
4,104 
11.076 
1 i.904>i 
• . 4605< 
t;.041M 

.^390 

33.81 6M 

1.904 

8.344 

33 

12.106 

22.499 

45.456 

11.613 

36.318 

9.524 

18.7265i 

15.404 

958 


5.233 
116 
10.503 
3.074V 
1.277 
724 
514 
2.4.3054 
563 
258 
326 
7.665i( 
2.212 
1.770V 
15.038K 
173 
6.164'< 
1.160;i 
4,332 
3 
550 
633 
4.87554 
6.002 
7.659 
4.363 
15.416 
982 
37254 


3 


1 


1 




2 




139 

65 

390 

3 

2554 


7 






22 










H 












n« 


Pepin 








10 




2 


s 




5844- 
3154 

49954 
4154 


X 




4J4 
2,ia5,H 


4.38554 




Kork.. 


282 
4 




3,11854 








X 






49 

42^ 
187 
107V 

29 
239 
295 
340 
110 

14 


1* 














14 
1154 


9 




1.169 




113 




5 
3 






'^ 




9' J 


Win iiebaco 




a ' 


2 










1.445.650K 


1.025.801V 


854,86154 


183,030V 


175.314K 


11,18454 


4.843 


62.008^ 







262 



HISTORY OF WLSCOXiSJN. 



ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS 
GROWN IN ^876. 



Counties. 






Kl-MBER 


OP ACRES. 








Cultivated 
Grasses. 


Potatoes. 


Roots. 


Apples. 


.\:iteil 
Cr..nninies. 


Timber. 


Bushels. ' 


Adams 


3.161 
24! 

1 ,843M 
100 


771 
266 
34 IK 

30 

150 

909V 

120)i 

1.017 


6 
75 
55V 


58 


4M 


25.040 

1,152.000 

24.175 




1 55-! 






Barron 


'2RV 
5 






Bayfield 






Brown 








5,769k 
39 
13,361 


25M 
37 


219 


4.000 


12.739 
57;4'63 




Burnett 






SMK 










ciAvk ;";;::".::::/:""".::: 


9.348 

32.326 

4.925 

53.219 

29.5.V2 

257 

100 

10.032 

■" "41,609 
37,792 
28.833 
18.920 
15.566 

5.316 
17.407 

8,705 
29,856 

5.665 

11.390 

22.719 

316 

32.256H 

5.453 

3.387 
20.557 
14,217 

6,170 
11.681 

8,528 


425 
1.918V 
2.493 
3.585 
3.780K 
2U 

100 

989 




78 
1.533K 
2.460 
4.830X 
16.254 




126.000 
51,879 






104 

618 

80 

89 


36 


1,689 
50 


'Crawford 




30 


111.463 
49,369H 


2.969X 
2.489K 








10 

219 


2 
61>« 




500.000 

5.414 


















2.7lll!<i 

3.038 

1.159 

921 
1,650K 

510 
2.209 
1,738 
1.060 
1.487 

781 
1.633 

106 
2.251 

667 

926 
.3.030K 
1..520 

836 

51 

1,566V 


6154 


2,935V 

2.766 

5.980X 

1.467 

2.233 

339 

2.170 

44 

239 

994 





44.986 
126.116 
20.313H 
22,393 
51.026 
53 880 
33.774 


1,500 
3 848 


Oraiit 




16 
5 
46 
41 
94 
52« 
18V 
10 
99 
26 





1.0.37 




45 






1,515 
107 

5.269 
781 


•lackson 


520 
2,757>« 


•h'fferson 


•Tuiieau 


Kencslia 


19.896 
37. .573 
29.763 
24.037 


1.324 
1.174 


Kewaunee 






2 




1.007 








108 

138 

50 

■r 

13 
100 


689 
46 
1.8.56 
1.934V 

406 




257.341 


774« 








i's'i 

1 

4.412 

20 


20.585 
16.211 
33.7.56 

19.433 

22.077 


1,073 






1.666 








97 


Ozaukee 


1.266V 

77 

11 

60X 
16.004 
479 
3.676 
4. =17 
1.054V 
73V 
1.730 

4.0.56>!; 
50.095 

4.952 
805 
836V 

1.561 


i 


1.349 


I'epi n 


Pierce 


12,974 

2,642 
10.1425-; 
21,515« 
18,924« 
57,132K 
14.293 
25,222 V 

4.111 
40.123 
173 
18,738 
20.197 
45,093 

6.513 
38.629 
13,540 

9.770 

23.433 

2.J5 


724 

591 
2,016V 
1.548V 
1.153« 
2.930 
1.176 
3.209X 

548 

2.723 

99 

878X 
1.241 
2.183J(; 
46.821 
3.982 
1.695 
1.342 
1.630 

169 


41 
178 
128V 

46X 

lOH 
122H 

10 
104X 

64K 
133 

34 

41X 
140 

55M 
9.430 
383 

98 

45 

35 




182.671 


121 


Polk 




2 




580 


52.150 
28.718}< 
65.394 
57.587H 

3.606 
88.058K 
80.533 
68,057 








Richland 


2.160)i 
5.416 
80 


Rock 








Sauk 




1.248V 


Shawano , 


3,101 




10,738 




2 

IV 


Trempealeau 

Vernon 


12.149 
91.194 
50.221 
50 080 
42,690 
82.985 
66.510 
25.737 
93.242 


870 

1 134 


Walworth 


137'' 

30 

185 

1,053 

194 

400 


2 798 


\\ ashiii^lon 


16,080 




1.529 

610 
117 

720 


Waupaca 

■Waushara ; 

W tunehairo 


-»Vood 












Total 


889.018U 


123.420« 


13.624H 


139.891X 


17,664«| 


4.090 226K, 


76,945V 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS 

WISCONSIN. 



ELECTORS AND GENERAL ELECTIONS. 

Sec. 12. Every male person of the age of twenty-one years or upward, belonging to 
either of the following classes, who shall have resided in the State for one year next preceding 
any election, shall be deemed a qualified elector at such election : 

1. Citizens of the United States. 

2. Persons of foreign birth who shall have declared their intention to become citizens con- 

formably to the laws of the United States on the subject of naturalization. 

3. Persons of Indian blood who have once been declared by law of Congress to be citizen?, 

of the United States, any subsequent law of Congress to the contrary notwithstanding. 
■i. Civilized jk rsons of Indian descent not members of any tribe. Every person convicted 

of bribery shall be excluded from the right of suffrage unless restored to civil rights ;. 

and no person who shall have made or become directly or indirectly interested in any 

bet or wager depending upon the result of any election at which he shall ofl'er to vote,. 

shall be permitted to vote at such election. 
Sec. 13. No elector shall vote except in the town, ward, village or election district in which 
he actually resides. 

Sec. 14. The general election prescribed in the Constitution shall be held in the several 
towns, wards, villages and election districts on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in 
November in each year, at which time there shall be chosen such Representatives in Congress, 
Electors of President and Vice President, State officers, and county officers as are by law to be 
elected in such year. 

Sec. 15. All elections shall be held in each town at the place where the last town-meeting 
was held, or at such other place as shall have been ordered at such last meeting, or as shall have 
been ordered by the Supervisors when they establish more than one election poll, except that the 
first election after the organization of a new town shall be held at the place directed in the act 
or proceeding by which it was organized; and all elections in villages constituting separate elec- 
tion districts and in the wards of cities, shall be held at the place to be ordered by the Trustees 
of such village, or the Common Council of such city, at least ten days before such election, un- 
less a different provision is made in the act incorporating such village or city. 

Sec. 16. Whenever it shall become impossible or inconvenient to hold an election at tb& 
place designated therefor, the Board of Inspectors, after having assembled at or as near as prac- 
ticable to such place, and before receiving any votes may adjourn to the nearest convenient place 
for holding the election, and at such adjourned place shall forthwith proceed with the election. 
Upon adjourning any election as hereinbefore provided, the Board of Inspectors shall cause proc- 
lamation thereof to be made, and shall station a Constable or some other proper person at the 
place where the adjournment was made, to notify all electors arriving at such place of adjoura- 
ment, and the place to which it was made. 



261 HISTORY OK WLSCOXSIX 

Sec. 20. A registry of electors sliall annually be made : 

1. In each ward or election district of every city which, at the last previous census, had 

a population of three thousand or more. 

2. In each ward or election district of every incorporated village in which, by law, sep- 

arate elections are held ; which village at the last preceding census, had a popula- 
tion of fifteen hundred or more. 

3. In every town containing a village wliich, at said census, had a population of fifteen 

hundred or more, in which village separate general elections are not by law required to 
be held. 

4. In all towns any part of which shall have been embraced in any part of any city or 

village in which a registration by this'chapter is required. 

Such registration shall be made in the manner provided by this cliapter. The jiersons 
authorized by law to act as Inspectors of Election in each of such towns, wards or election dis- 
tricts sliall constitute the Board of Registry therefor. 

Sec. 21. The said Inspectors shall have their first meeting on Tuesday, four weeks pre- 
ceding each general election, at the place where said election is to be held ; and in election 
districts at which there were polled at the previous general election three hundred votes or 
less, tliey shall sit for one day, and in districts at wliich there were more than three hundred 
votes polled, they shall have power to sit two days if necessary, for the purpose of making such 
list. They shall meet at 9 o'clock in the forenoon and hold their meetings open until H 
o'clock in the evening of each day during which they shall so sit. The Clerks appointed by law 
to act as Clerks of Election shall act as Clerks of the Board of Registry on the day of election 
only. The proceedings shall be ojien, and all electors of the district shall be entitled to be 
heard in relation to corrections or additions to said registry. They shall have the same powers 
to preserve order which Inspectors of Election have on election d;iys, and in towns vacancies in 
the Board shall be filled in the same manner that vacancies are filled at elections. 

Sec. 22. The said In.spectors at their first meeting, and before doing any business, shall 
severally take and subscribe the oath of Inspectors at a general election, and said Inspectors shall 
at their first meeting make a registry of all the electors of their respective districts, placing 
thereon the full names, alphabetically arranged according to surnames, in one column, and in 
another the residence by number and name of street or other location, if known. If any elector's 
residence is at any hotel or public boarding-house the name of the hotel or boarding-house shall 
be stated in the registry. They shall put thereon the names of all persons residing in their elec- 
tion district appearing on the ]ioll-list kept at the last preceding general election, and are author- 
ized to take therefor such poll-list from the office where kept, omitting such as have died or 
removed from the district, and adding the names of all other persons known to them to be elect- 
ors in such district. In case of the formation of a new election district since the last preceding 
general election, the said Board therein may make such registry from the best means at their 
command, and may, if necessary, procure therefor certified copies of the last ))oll-list. They shall 
complete said registry as far as practicable at their first meeting, and shall make four copies 
thereof and certify the original and each copy to be a true list of the electors in their district so far 
as the same are known to them. One of said copies shall be immediately posted in a conspicuous 
place in the room in which their meeting was held, and be accessible to any elector for examina- 
tion or making copies thereof, and one copy shall be retained by each Inspector for revision and 
correction at tiie second meeting. They shall within two days after said first meeting file the original 
registry made by them, and said poll-list in the office of the proper town, city or village clerk, 
and may, in their discretion, cause ten printed copies of said registry to be made and posted in 
ten of the most public i)laces of said election district, or may publish the same in a newspaper at 
an expense not exceeding one cent for each name. 

Sec. 23. The Inspectors shall hold their second meeting at the same place designated for 
holding elections on the Tuesday two weeks preceding the election. They shall meet at 9 o'clock 
in the forenoon. In election districts having less than three hundred voters, as shown by the 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 265 

preliminary rogistry, the Board shall complete the registry on the same day ; but if there are more 
than that number of voters, they shall sit two days. They shall remain in session until 8 o'clock in 
the evening. They shall revise and correct the registry first by erasing the name of any person 
who shall be proved to their satisfaction by the oatlis of two electors of the district to be not 
entitled to vote therein at the next ensuing electioti, unless such person shall appear and if chal- 
lenged, shall answer the questions and take the oath hereinafter provided ; secondly, by entering 
thereon the names of every elector entitled to vote in the district at the next election who shall 
appear before the Board and require it, and state his place of residence, giving street and num- 
ber, if numbered, or location, as hereinbefore provided, if challenged answer the questions, and 
take the oaths provided in case of challenge at an election ; but if any person shall refuse to 
answer all such questions or to take such oath, his name shall not be registered. Any person 
who is not twenty-one years of age before the date when the registry is reiiuired to be corrected, but 
will be if he lives until the day of election, shall have his name put on the registry if he be other- 
wise qualified to be an elector. Any elector who did not vote at the previous general election 
shall be entitled to be registered either at the preliminary or the final registration of electors by 
appearing before the Board of Registration of his election district and establishing his right to 
be registered, or, instead of a personal appearance, he may make his application to be registered 
to the Board in writing. Such application shall state the name and period of continuous resi- 
dence in the election district and place of residence therein, giving the number and street of the 
applicant, and, in case the person making the application is of foreign birth, he shall state when 
he came to the United States and to the State of Wisconsin, and the time and place of declaring 
his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, and that lie is entitled to vote at the 
election. Upon receiving such application, the Board of Registration shall register the name of 
such applicant, if it appears to the Board that the applicant is, by his statement, entitled to 
vote. Such statement shall be made under oath, and shall be preserved by the Board and be 
filed in the office of the village or city clerk, as the case may be. All city and village clerks 
shall keep blanks for making the application for registration, as provided by this section. The 
form sliallbe prescribed by the Secretary of State. Every person named in this section shall be 
Subject to the same punishment for any false statement or other ofiense in respect thereto as 
is provided in case of such false statement or other offense by an elector offering to vote at an 
election. After such registry shall have been fully completed on the days above mentioned, 
no name shall be added thereto by any person or upon any pretext. Within three days after the 
second meeting the said Board shall cause four copies of the registry to be made, each of which 
shall be certified by them to be a correct registry of the electors of their district, one of which 
shall be kept by each Inspector for use on election day, and one shall forthwith be filed in the 
office of the proper town, city or village clerk. All registries shall at all times be open to pub- 
lic inspection at the office where deposited without charge. 

Sec. 24. On election day the Inspectors shall designate two of their number at the opening 
of the polls, who shall check the names of every elector voting in such district whose name is on 
the registry. No vote shall be received at any general election in any ward or election district 
defined in Section 20, if the name of the person offering to vote be not on said registry made at 
the second meeting as aforesaid, except as hereinafter provided ; but in case any one shall, after 
the last day for completing such registry, and before such election, become a qualified voter of 
the district, he shall have the same right to vote therein at such election as if his name had been 
duly registered, provided he shall, at the time he offers to vote, deliver to the Inspectors his affi- 
davit, in which he shall state the facts, showing that he has, since the completion of such regis- 
try, become a qualified elector of such district, and the facts showing that he was not such 
elector on the day such registry was completed, and shall also deliver to such Inspectors the affi- 
davits of two freeholders, electors in such election district, corroborating all the material state- 
ments in his affidavit. In case any person who was a voter at the last previous general election 
siiall not be registered, such person shall be entitled to vote on making affidavit that he was enti- 
tled to vote at the previous election, and that he has not become disqualified by reason of removal 



2G6 HISTORY OF WISCONMX. 

from the election district or otherwise, since that election, which affidavit shall al;;o he corrobcN 
rated by the affidavits of two freeholders, as is provided for otlicr non ■registered voters. No one 
freeholder shall lie competent to make at any one election corroborating affidavits for more than 
three voters. All of said affidavits shall be sworn to before some officer authorized by the law- 
of this State to take depositions. The Inspectors shall keep a list of the names and resideiic 
of the electors voting whose names are not on saiii completed registry, and attach said list to ilie 
registry and return it, together with all such affidavits, to the proper town, city or village clerk. 
No compensation shall be paid or received for taking or certifying any such affidavits. On the day 
following the election, one of said poll-lists and one copy of the registry so kept and checked shall be 
attached together and filed in the office of the proper town, city or village clerk, and the other of 
said poll-lists and copy of the registry so kept and cheeked shall be returned to the County 
Clerk with the returns of the election. Such Inspectors shall give notice by advertisement in a 
newspaper printed in the city, village or town where such registration was made, of the registry, 
and shall include in such notice all additions to and omissions from the preliminary list, and 
shall also state where the election is to be held. In case there be no newspaper printed in such 
city, village or town, such notice shall be given by posting copies thereof in tiiree or more public 
places in each ward or election district in such city, village or town. For j)ublication of such 
notice in any such newspaper the publisher thereof shall be entitled to tiie same compensation 
per folio as is prescribed for publishing other legal notices. 

COMMON SCHOOLS. 

Sec. 413. The formation of any school district shall be by written order of the Town 
Board, describing the territory embraced in the same, to be filed with the Town Clerk within 
twenty days after the making thereof. The Supervisors shall deliver to a taxable inhabitant of' 
the district their notice thereof in writing, describing its boundaries, and appointing a time and 
place for the first district meeting, and shall therein direct such inhabitant to notify every (juali- 
fied voter of the district, either personally or by leaving a written notice at his place of resi- 
dence, of the time and place of such meeting, at least five days before the time appointed 
therefor, and said inhabitant shall notify the voters of such district accordingly, and indorse 
thereon a return containing the names of all persons thus notified, and said notice and return 
shall be recorded as a part of the record of the first meeting in such district. 

Sec. 414. In case such notice shall not be given, or the inhabitants of a district shall neg- 
lect or refuse to assemble and form a district meeting when so notified, or in case any scliool dis. 
trict having been formed or organized shall afterward be disorganized, so that no competent 
authority shall exist therein to call a special district meeting, in tiie manner hereinafter pro- 
vided, notice shall be given by the Town Board, and served in the manner prescribed in the pre- 
ceding section. Whenever a district meeting shall be called as prescribed in this and ibe 
preceding section, it shall be the duty of the electors of the district to assemble at the time- 
and place so directed. 

Sec. 415. Whenever it shall be necessary to form a district from two or more adjoining- 
towns, the Town Boards of such towns shall meet together and form such districts by their writ' 
ten order, describing the territory embraced in such district, signed by at least two of the Super- 
visors of each town ; and shall file one such order with the Town Clerk of each town, and 
deliver the notice of formation to a taxable inhabitant of such district, and cause the same to bo 
served and returned in the time and manner hereinbefore prescribed ; and any such district may 
be altered only by the joint action of the Town Boards of such towns in the same manner that 
other districts are altered. 

Sec. 416. Every school district shall be deemed duly organized when any two of the offi- 
cers elected at the first legal meeting thereof shall have consented to serve in the offices to wliieh 
they have been respectively elected, by a written acceptance thereof filed with the clerk of tlio 
first meeting, and recorded in the minutes thereof; and every school district shall be considered 



ABSTRACT OF LAAVS. 267 

as duly organized after it shall have exercised the franchises and privileges of a district for the 
term of two years. 

Sec. 425. The annual meeting of all school districts in which graded schools of two or 
more departments are taught, shall be held on the second Monday of July, and of all other 
school districts on the last Monday of September, in each year. The hour of such meeting shall 
be seven o'clock in the afternoon, unless otherwise provided by a vote of the district, duly 
recorded at the last previous annual meeting ; but at any annual meeting a majority of the 
electors present may determine that the annual meeting of such district shall be held on the last 
Monday of August instead of the last Mondajr of September. Said determination to take effect 
when a copy of the proceedings of said annual meeting in reference to such change shall have 
been filed with the Town Clerk in which the sciioolhouse of such district is situated, and to 
remain in force until rescinded by a like vote of the electors of such district. 

Sec. 426. The Clerk sliall give at least six days' previous notice of every annual district 
meeting, by posting notices thereof in four or more public places in the district, one of which 
shall be affixed to the outer door of the schoolhouse, if there be one in the district, and he shall 
give like notices for every adjourned district meeting when such meeting shall have been 
adjourned for more than one month ; but no annual meeting shall be deemed illegal for want of due 
notice, unless it shall appear that the omission to give such notice was willful and fraudulent. 

Sec. 427. Special district meetings may be called by the Clerk, or, in his absence, by the 
Directors or Treasurer, on written request of five legal voters of the district, in the manner 
prescribed for calling an annual meeting ; and the electors, when lawfully assembled at a special 
meeting, shall have power to transact the same business as at the first and each annual meeting, 
except the election of officers. The business to be transacted at any special meeting shall lie 
particularly specified in the notices calling the same, and said notices shall be posted six full 
days prior to the meeting. No tax or loan or debt shall be voted at a special meeting, unless 
three-fourths of the legal voters shall have been notified, either personally or by a written notice 
left at their places of residence, stating tlie time and place and objects of the meeting, and 
specifying the amount proposed to be voted, at least six days before the time appointed therefor. 

Sec. 428. Every person shall be entitled to vote in any school district meeting who is 
qualified to vote at a general election for Stale and county officers, and who is a resident of such 
school district. 

ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF DISTRICT TAXES. 

Sec. 469. All school district taxes, unless otherwise specially provided by law, shall be 
assessed on the same kinds of property as taxes for town and county purposes ; and all personal 
property which, on account of its location or the residence of its owner, is taxable in the town, 
shall, if such locality or residence be in the school district, be likewise taxable for school district 
purposes. 

BORROWING MONTIY. 

Skc. 474. Whenever, upon anyiinusual exigency, any school district shall, before the animal 
meeting, vote a special tax to be collected with the next levy, the district may, by vote, author- 
ize tiie District Board to borrow for a period not exceeding one year a sum not exceeding the 
amount of such tax, ami by such vote set apart such tax when collected to repay such loan, and 
tliercupon the District Board may borrow such money of any person and on such terms and exe- 
cute and deliver to the lender such obligation therefor, and such security for the repayment, 
including a mortgage or ]iledge of any real or personal ])roperty of the district, subject to the 
directions contained in the vote of the district as may be agreed upon and not prohibited by 
law. 

Sec. 408. Every District Clerk who shall willfully neglect to make the annual report for 
his district as required by law sliall be liable to pay the whole amount of money lost by such 



268 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

district in consequence of his neglect, which shall be recovered in an action in the name of and 
for the use of the district. 

Sec. 499. Every Town Clerk who shall neglect or refuse to make and deliver to the County 
Superintendent his annual report, as required in this chapter within the time limited therefor, 
shall be liable on his official bond to pay the town the amount which such town or any school 
district therein, shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon ; and every County 
Superintendent who stiall neglect or refuse to make the report required of him by this chapter 
to the State Superintendent shall be liable to pay to each town the amount which such town or 
any school district therein shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon, to be 
recovered in either case in an action prosecuted by the Town Treasurer in the name of the 
town. 

Sec. 50-3. Every member of a district board in any school district in this State in which 
a list of text-books has been adopted according to law, who shall, within three years from the 
date of such adoption, or thereafter, without the consent of the State Superintendent, order a 
change of text-books in such district, shall forfeit the sum of fifty dollars. 

Sec. 513. Every woman of twenty-one year.s of age and upward may be elected or 
appointed as director, treasurer or clerk of a school district, director or secretary of a town board 
under the township system ; member of a board of education in cities, or county superintendent. 

Sec. .560. In reckoning school months, twenty days shall constitute a month and one hun- 
dred days five months. 

ASSESSMENT OF TAXES. 

Sec. 1035. The terms "real property," "real estate" and "land," when used in this 
title, shall include not only the land itself, but all buildings, fixtures, improvements, rights and 
privileges appertaining thereto. 

Sec. 10:^6. The term " personal property," as used in this title, shall be construed to mean 
and include toll-bridges, saw-logs, timber and lumber, either upon land or afloat, steamboats, 
ships and other vessels, whether at home or abroad ; buildings upon leased lands, if such build- 
ings have not been included in the assessment of the land on which they are erected ; 
ferry-boats, including the franchise for running the same ; all debts due from solvent debtors, 
whether on account, note, contract, bond, mortgage or other security, or whether such debts are 
ilue or to become due ; and all goods, wares, merchandise, chattels, moneys and effects of any 
nature or description having any real or marketable value and not included in the term " real 
property," as above defined. 

Sec. 1037. The improvements on all lands situated in this State, which shall have been 
entered under the provisions of the act of Congress entitled " An act to secure homesteads to act- 
ual settlei's on the public domain," approved May twentieth, one thousand eight hundred and 
sixty-two, and which shall be actually occupied and improved by the person so entering the same, 
or his heirs, shall be subject to taxation, and such improvements shall be assessed as personal 
property. All taxes levied thereon shall bo collected out of the personal property of the occu- 
pant of such lands, and in no other manner. 11 

Sec. 1038. The property in this section described is exempt from taxation, to wit: ■' 

1. That owned exclusively by the United States or by this State, but no lands contracted to 

be sold by the State shall be exempt. 

2. That owned exclusively by any county, city, village, town or school district ; but lands 

purchased by counties at tax sales shall be exempt only in the cases provided in Sec- 
tion Eleven Hundred and Ninety-one. 

3. Personal property owned by any religious, scientific, literary or benevolent association, 

used exclusively for the purposes of such association, and the real property, if not 
leased, or nut otherwise used for pecuniary profit, necessary for the location and con- 
venience of the buildings of such association, and embracing the same not exceeding 



i\ 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 269 

'ten acres : aiul the lands reserved for grounds of a chartered college or university, 
not exceeding forty acres ; and parsonages, whether of local churches or districts, and 
■whether occupied by the pastor permanently or rented for his benefit. The occasional 
leasing of such buildings for schools, public lectures or concerts, or the leasing of such 
parsonages, shall not render thein liable to taxation. 

4. Personal property owned and used exclusively by the State or any county agricultural 

society, and the lands owned and used by any such society exclusively for fair grounds. 

5. Fire engines and other implements used for extinguishing fires, owned or used by any 

organized fire company, and the buildings and necessary grounds connected therewith, 
ownetl by such company, and used exclusively for its proper purposes. 

6. The property of Indians who are not citizens, except lands held by them by purchase. 

7. Lands used exclusively as public burial-grounds, and tombs and monuments to the dead 

therein. 

8. Pensions receivable from the United States. 

9. Stock in any corporation in this State which is required to pay taxes upon its property 

in the same manner as individuals. 

10. So much of the debts due or to become due to any person as shall equal the amount of 
bona-fide and unconditional debts by him owing. 

11. Wearing apparel, family portraits and libraries, kitchen furniture and growing crops. 

12. Provisions and fuel provided by the head of a family to sustain its members for six 
months ; but no person paying board shall be deemed a member of a family. 

13. All the personal property of all insurance companies that now are or shall be organized 
or doing business in this State. 

14. The track, right of way, depot grounds, buildings, machine-shops, rolling-stock and 
other property necessarily used in operating any railroad in this State belonging to any 
railroad company, including pontoon, pile and pontoon railroads, and shall henceforth 
remain exempt from taxation for any purpose, except that the same shall be subject to 
special assessments fqj- local improvements in cities and villages and all lands owned or 
claimed by such railroad company not adjoining the track of such company, shall be 
subject to all taxes. The provision of this subdivision shall not apply to any railroad 
that now is or shall be operated by horse-power, whether now or hereafter constructed 
in any village or city. 

15. The property, except real estate, of all companies which are or shall be engaged in the 

business of telegraphing in this State. 

16. The real estate of the Home of the Friendless in the city of Milwaukee, not exceeding 
one lot in amount, is exempted, so long as the same shall continue to be used as such home. 

17. All property of any corporation or association formed under the laws of this State for 
the encouragement of industry by agricultural and industrial fairs and exhibitions, 
•which shall be necessary for fair grounds, while used exclusively for such fairs and 
exhibitions, provided the quantity of land so exempt shall not exceed forty acres. 

18. Such tree-belts as are or may be planted and maintained in compliance with chapter 
sixty six of one of these statutes. 

Sec. liyi. Real property, upon which the county holds any certificates of tax sale, shall 
continue liable to taxation and to sale for unpaid taxes, and the county shall be the exclusive 
purchaser at the sale ; but when a tax deed shall be issued to the county, and it shall hold tax 
certificates of sale unredeemed on the same property for two successive years subsequent to the 
date of the sale on which such deed shall issue, including certificates of sale made prior to the 
passage of these statutes, such property shall thereafter be exempt from taxation until the same 
is sold by the county. The County Clerk shall annually, before the first day of June, furnish 
to the Assessors of each town a list of the lands in such town exempt under this section. Noth- 
ing in this section shall be so con.strued as to apply to lands owned by minors, married women, 
widowed women, idiots or insane persons. 



270 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

COLLECTION OF TAXES. 

Sec. 1089. The Town Treasurer of each town, on the receipt of the ta.x-roll for the cur- 
rent year, shall fortliwith post notices in three or four public places in such towns, that the tax- 
roll for such town is in his hands for collection, and that the ta.xes charged therein are subject. 
to payment at his office at any time prior to the first day of January in such year; and after 
the said first day of January lie shall proceed to collect the taxes charged in such roll and 
remaining unpaid, and for that purpose shall call at least once on the person taxed, or at any 
place of his usual residence, if within the town, and demand payment of the taxes charged to 
him on such roll. 

Sec. lO'JO. On all taxes paid or tendered at the office of such Treasurer prior to said first 
day of January, he shall remit all of the 5-per-cent collection fees, except so much thereof a« 
he is authorized by law to have for liis fees upon taxes so paid. 

Sec. lO'Jl. Town orders shall be receivable for taxes in the town where issued, and shall 
be allowed the Town Treasurer on settlement of town taxes; and county orders and jurors' cer- 
tificates shall be receivable for taxes in the' county where issued, and shall be allowed such Treas- 
urer on settlement of county taxes with the County Treasurer, but no Town Treasurer shall 
receive town orders in payment for taxes to a larger amount than the town taxes included in his 
assessment-roll exclusive of all taxes for school purpo-ses, nor county orders and jurors' certifi- 
cates to a greater amount than the county tax included therein. 

Sec. 1097. In case any person shall ref;ise or neglect to pay the tax imposed upon him, 
the Town Treasurer shall levy the same by distress and sale of any goods and chattels belong- 
ing to such person, wherever the same may be found within his town ; and if a sufficient amount 
of such property ciMinot be found in such town, the Town Treasurer may levy the same by di- 
tress and sale of the goods and chattels belonging to such person, wherever the same may bt- 
found in the county or in any adjoining couniies. 

Sec. 1008. The Town Treasurer shall give public notice of the time and place of such 
sale, at least six days previous thereto, by advertisement, containing a description of the prop- 
erty to be sold, to be posted up in three public places in the town where the sale is to be niadi . 
The sale shall be at public auction, in the daytime, and the property sold shall be present ; 
.such property may be released by the payment of the taxes and charges for which the same is 
liable, to be sold; if the purchase-money on such sale shall not be paid at such time as the 
Treasurer may require, he may again, in his discretion, expose such property for sale, or sue, in 
his flame of office, the purchaser for the purchase-money, and recover the same with costs and 
10-per-centuiu damages. 

' Sec. 1099. If the property so levied upon shall be sold for more than the amount of tax 
and costs, the surplus shall be returned to the owner thereof; and if it cannot be sold for wan' 
of bjdders, the Treasurer shall return a statement of the fact, and return the property to il 
person from whose possession he took the same ; and the tax, if unsatisfied, shall be collected in 
the same manner as if no levy had been made. 

HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES. 

Sec. 1228. The Supervisors of the several towns shall have the care and supervision o: 
the highways and bridges therein, and it shall be their duty : 

1. To give directions for repairing the highways and bridges within their respective towns, 

and cause to be removed all obstructions therefrom. 

2. To cause such of the roads used as highways as have been laid out but not sufficiently 

described, and such as have been lawfully laid out and used as such up to the thn 
present time, but not fully and suflicieiitly recorded, to be ascertained, described aii' 
entered of record in the Town Clerk's office. 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 271 

3. To cause bridges which are or may be erected over streams intersecting highways to be 

kept in repair. 

4. To divide their respective towns into so many road districts as they shall judge conven- 

ient, and specify every such division in writing under their hands, to be recorded in 
the office of the Town Clerk ; but no such division shall be made within ten days next 
preceding the annual town meeting. 

5. To assign to each of the said road districts such of the inhabitants liable to pay taxes 

on highways as they think proper, having regard to the nearness of residence as mucji 
as practicable. 

6. To require the Overseers of Highways from time to time, and as often as they shall 

deem necessary, to perform any of the duties required of them by law. 

7. To assess the highway taxes in their respective towns in each year, as provided by law. 

8. To lay out and establish upon actual surveys, as hereinafter provided, such new roads in 

their respective towns as they may deem necessary and proper ; to discontinue such 
roads as shall appear to them to have become unnecessary, and to widen or alter such 
roads when they shall deem necessary for public convenience, and perform all other 
duties respecting highways and bridges directed by this chapter. 

INTOXICATING LIQUORS. 

Sec. 1548. The Town Boards, Village Boards and Common Councils of the respective 
towns, villages and cities may grant license to such persons as they may deem proper, to keep 
groceries, saloons or other places, within their respective towns, villages or cities, for the sale in 
quantities less than one gallon of strong, spirituous, malt, ardent or" intoxicating liquors, to be 
drank on the premises ; and in like manner may grant licenses for the sale in any quantity of 
such liquors not to be drank on the premises. The sum to be paid for such license for the sale 
of such liquor to be drank on the premises shall not be less than twenty-five nor more than one 
hundred and fifty dollars; and for the sale of such liquors not to be drank on the premises shall 
be not less than ten nor more than forty dollars. 

Sec. 1540. Every ipplicant for such license shall, before delivery thereof, file with such 
town, village or city clerk a bond to the State in the sum of five hundred dollars, with at 
least two sureties, to be approved by the authorities granting the license, who shall each justify 
in double its amount over and above their debts and liabilities and exemptions, and be freehold- 
ers and residents of the county, conditioned that the applicant, during the continuance of his 
license will keep and maintain an orderly and well-regulated house ; that he will permit no 
gambling with cards, dice or any device or implement for that purpose, within his premises or 
any out-house, yard or shed appertaining thereto ; that he will not sell or give away any intoxi- 
cating liquor to any minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, unless upon the writ- 
ten order of the parents or guardian of such minor, or to per.-ions intoxicated or bordering upon 
intoxication, or to habitual drunkards ; and that he will pay all damages that may be recovered 
by any person, and that he will observe and obey all orders of such Supervisors, Trustees or 
Aldermen, or any of them, made pursuant to law. In case of the breach of the condition of 
any such bond, an action may be brought thereon in the name of the State of Wisconsin, and 
judgment shall be entered against the principals and sureties therein nam.ed for the full penalty 
thereof; and execution may issue thereupon by order of the court therefor, to satisfy any 
judgment that may have been recovered against the principal named in said bond, by reason of 
any breach in the conditions thereof, or for any penalties of forfeitures incurred under this chap- 
ter. If more than one judgment shall have been recovered, the court, in its discretion, may 
apply the proceerls of said bond toward the satisfaction of said several judgments, in whole or 
in part, in such manner as it may see fit. 

Sec. 1550. If any person shall vend, sell, deal or traffic in or for the purpose of evading 
this chapter, give away, any spirituous, malt, ardent or intoxicating liquors or drinks in any 



272 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

quantity whatever without first having obtaineil license therefor, according to the provisions of 
this chapter, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof shall be 
punished by fine of not less than ten nor more than forty dollars, besiiles the costs of suit, or, 
in lieu of sueli fine, by imprisonment in the county jail of the proper county not to exceed si.xty 
days nor less than twenty days ; and, in case of punishment by fine as above provided, such per- 
son shall, unless the fine and costs be paid forthwith, be committed to the county jail of the proper 
county until such fine and costs are, paid, or until discharged by due course of law ; and, in case 
of a second or any subsequent conviction of tlie same person during any one year, the punish- 
ment may be by both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court. 

Sec. 1551. Upon complaint made to any Justice of the Peace by any person that he 
knows or has good reason to believe that an offense against this chapter, or any violation thereof, 
has been committed, he shall examine the complainant on oath, and he shall reduce such com- 
plaint to writing and cause the same to be subscribed by the person complaining. And if it 
shall appear to such Justice that there is rfa^onable cause to believe that such offense hiis been 
committed, he shall immediately issue his warrant, reciting therein the substance of such com- 
plaint and requiring tlie officer to whom such warrant shall be directed forthwith to arrest the 
accused and bring him before such Justice, to be dealt with according to law ; and the same war- 
rant may require the officer to summon such persons as shall be therein named to appear at the 
trial to give evidence. 

Sec. 1552. The District Attorney of the proper county shall, on notice given to him by 
the Justice of the Peace before whom any such complaint shall be made, attend the trial before 
such Justice and conduct the same on behalf of the State. 

Sec. 1553. Every supervisor, trustee, alderman and justice of the peace, police officer) 
marshal, deputy marshal and constable of any town, village or city who shall know or be credi 
bly informed that any offense has been committed against the provisions of this chapter shall 
make complaint against the person so offending within their respective towns, villages or citifs 
to a proper Justice of the Peace therein, an<l for every neglect or refusal so to do every such 
officer shall forfeit twenty-five dollars, and the Treasurer of such town, village or city shall pros- 
ecute therefor. 

Sec. 1557. Any keeper of any saloon, shop or place of any name whatsoever for the sale 
of strong, spirituous or malt liquors to be drank on the premises in any quantity less than one 
gallon, who shall sell, vend or in any way deal or traffic in or for the purpose of evading this 
chapter, give away any spirituous, ardent or malt liquors or drinks in any quantity whatsoever 
to or with a minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, or to a person intoxicated or 
bordering on a state of intoxication, or to any other prohibited person before mentioned, shall be 
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor ; nor shall any person sell or in any way deal .:r traffic in, or, 
for the purpose of evading this chapter, give away, any spirituous, ardent, intoxicating or malt 
liquors or drinks in any quantity whatsoever witliin one mile of either of the hospitals for the 
insane ; and any person who shall so sell or give away any such liquors or drinks shall be 
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. 



BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES. 

Sec. 167.5. All notes in writing made and signed by any person or for any corporation, 
and all certificates of the deposit of money issued by any person or corporation, whereby he or 
it shall promise to pay to any person or order, or unto the bearer, any sum of money, as therein 
mentioned, shall be due and payable as therein expressed, and shall have the same effect and 
shall be negotiable in like manner as inland bills of exchange, according to tlie custom of mer- 
chants. But no order drawn upon or acceptcfl by the Treasurer of any county, town, city, village 
or school district, whetlier drawn by any officer tliereof or anj* other person, and no obligation nor 
instrument made by such corporation or any officer thereof, unless expressly authorized by law 



41 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 273 

to be made negotiable, shall be, or shall be deemed to be, negotiable according to the customs of 
merchants, in whatever form they may be drawn or made. 

Sec. 1680. On all bills of exchange payabl=! at sight, or at future day certain, within 
this State, and all negotiable promissory notes, orders and drafts payable at a future day cer- 
tain, within this State, in which there is not an express stipulation to the contrary, grace should 
be allowed in like manner as it is allowed by the custom of merchants on foreign bills of exchange 
payable at the expiration of a certain period after date or sight. The provisions of this section 
shall not extend to any bill of exchange, note or draft payable on demand. 

Sec. 1684. All notes, drafts, bills of exchange or other negotiable paper maturing on 
Sunday or upon any legal holiday shall be due and payable on the next preceding secular day. 

HOURS OF LABOR. 

Sec. 1728. In all manufactories, work-shops and other places used for mechanical or 
manufacturing purposes, the time of labor of children under eighteen years of age and of women 
employed therein, shall not exceed eight hours in one day ; and any employer, stockholder, 
director, officer, overseer, clerk or foreman who shall compel any woman or any child to labor 
exceeding eight hours in any one day, or who shall permit any child under fourteen years of age 
to labor more than ten hours in any one day in any such place, if he shall have control over 
such child sufficient to prevent it, or who shall employ at manual labor any child under twelve 
years of age in any factory or work-shop where more than three persons are employed, or who 
shall employ any child of twelve and under fourteen years of age in any such factory or work- 
shop for more than seven months in any one year, shall forfeit not less than five nor more than 
fifty dollars for each such offense. 

Sec. 1729. In all engagements to labor in any manufacturing or mechanical business, 
where there is no express contract to the contrary, a day's work shall consist of eight hours, and 
all engagements or contracts for labor in such cases shall be so construed ; but this shall not 
apply to any contract for labor by the week, month or year. 

FORM OF CONVEYANCES. 

Sec. 2207. A deed of quitclaim and release of the form in common use or of the form 
hereinafter provided, shall be sufficient to pass all the estate which the grantor could lawfully 
convey by deed of bargain and sale. 

toEC. 2208. Conveyances of land may be in substantially the following form: 

WARRANTY DEED. 

A B, grantor of County, Wisconsin, hereby conveys and warrants to C D, grantee, 

of County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in 

County. 

[Here describe the premises.) 

Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of , 18 — . 

In the presence of] 

[SEAL.] 

j QUITCLAIM DEED. [SEAL.] 



A B, grantor, of County, Wisconsin, hereby ((uitclaims to C D, grantee, of 

County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in County, 

{Here describe the premises.) 

Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of , 18 — . 

In presence of 1 

I [SEAL.] 

j [SEAL.] 



274 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Such deeds, when executed and acknowledged as required by law, shall, when of the first 
of the above forms, have the effect of a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and 
assigns of the premises therein named, together with all the appurtenances, rights and privileges 
thereto belonging, with a covenant from the grantor, his heirs and personal representatives, that 
he is lawfully seized of the premises : has good right to convey the same ; that he guaran- 
tees the grantee, his heirs and assigns in the (|uiet possession thereof; that the same are free from 
all incumbrances, and that the grantor, his heirs and personal representatives will forever war- 
rant and defend the title and possession thereof in tiie grantee, his heirs and assigns against :iil 
lawful claims whatsoever. Any exceptions to such covenants may be briefly inserted in such 
deed, following the description of the land ; and when in the second of the above forms, shall 
have the effect of a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and assigns, of all the right, 
title, interest and estate of the grantor, either in possession or expectancy, in and to the prem- 
ises therein described, and all rights, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging. 

MORTGAGES. 

Sec. 2209. A mortgage may be substantially in the following form : 

A B, mortgagor, of County, Wisconsin, hereby mortgages to C D, mortgagee, of 

County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in 

County. 

(Here describe the premises.) 

This mortgage is given to secure the following indebtedness : 

'Here state amount or amounts and form of indebtedness, whether on note, bond or otheruise, lime or times when due. rale 

of interest, by and to whom payable, etc.) 

The mortgagor agrees to pay all taxes and assessments on said premises, and the sum of 
■ dollars attorney's fees in case of foreclosure thereof. 

Witness the hand and seal of said mortgagor this day of . 18 — . 

In presence of "j 

> [SE,\L.] 

) [SEAL.] 

«iit'n executed and acknowledged according to law shall have the effect of a conveyance of 
the land therein described, together with all the rights, privileges and appurtenances thereunto 
belonging in pledge to the mortgagee, his heirs, assigns and legal representatives for the payment 
of the indebtedness therein set forth, with covenant from the mortgagor that all taxes and assess- 
ments levied and a.ssessed upon the land described during the continuance of tiie mortgage shall 
be paid previous to the day appointed by law for the sale of lands for taxes, as fully as the forms 
of mortgage now and heretofore in common use in this State, and may be foreclosed in the same 
manner and with the same effect, upon any default being made in any of the conditions thereof 
OS to payment of either principal, interest or taxes. 

ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE. 

Sec. 2210. An assignment of a mortgage substantially in the following form : 
For value receiveil I, A B, of . Wisconsin, hereby assign to C D, of , Wis- 
consin, the within mortgage |or a certain mortgage executed to by E F and wife, of 

County, Wisconsin, the day of , IK — , and recorded in the office of the Register of 

Deeds of County, Wisconsin, in Vol. of mortgages, on page ), together with 

tiie and indebtedness therein mentioned. 

Witness my hand and seal this day of . 18 — . 

In presence of ) 

\ A B. [se.\L.] 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 275 

shall be suiEcient to vest in the assignee for all purposes all the rights of the mortgagee 
ander the mortgage, and the amount of the indebtedness due thereon at the date of assignment. 
Such assignment, when indorsed upon the original mortgage, shall not require an acknowledg- 
ment in order to entitle the same to be recorded. 

TITLE TO REAL PROPERTY BY DESCENT. 

Sec. 2270. When any person shall die, seized of any lands, tenements or hereditaments, or 
iny right thereto, or entitled to any interest therein in fee simple, or for the life of another, not 
having lawfully devised the same, they shall descend subject to his debts, except as provided in 
the next section, in the manner following : 

1. In equal shares to his children, and to the lawful issue of any deceased child, by right 

of representation ; and if there be no child of the intestate living at his death, his 
estate shall descend to all his other lineal descendants ; and if all the said descendants 
are in the same degree of kindred to the intestate, they shall share the estate equally, 
otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation. 

2. If he shall leave no lawful issue, to his widow ; if he shall leave no such issue or widow, 

to his parents, if living ; and if either shall not be living, the survivor shall inherit 
his said estate. If a woman shall die, leaving no issue, her estate shall descend to 
her husband, if she shall have one at the time of her decease, and if she shall leave, 
surviving her, neither issue nor husband, to her parents, if living ; and if either shall 
not be living, the survivor shall inherit her said estate. 

3. If he shall leave no lawful issue, nor widow, nor father, nor mother, his estate shall 

descend in equal shares to his brothers and sisters, and to the children of any deceased 
brother or sister, by right of representation. 

4. If the intestate shall leave no lawful issue, widow, father, mother, brother nor sister, 

his estate shall descend to his next of kin in equal degree, except that when there are 
two or more collateral kindred in equal degree, but claiming through different ances- 
tors, those who claim through the nearest ancestor shall be preferred to those claiming 
through an ancestor more remote ; provided, however, 
.5. If any person die leaving several children, or leaving one child, and the issue of one or 
more other children, and any such surviving child shall die under age, and not having 
been married, all the estate that came to the deceased child, by inheritance from such 
deceased parent, shall descend in equal sliares to the other children of the same parent, 
and to the issue of any such other children who shall have died, by right of representation. 

6. If, at the death of such child, who shall die under age, and not having been married, all 

the other children of his said parent shall also be dead, and any of them shall have left 
issue, the estate that came to said child by inheritance from his said parent, shall 
descend to all the issue of the other children of the same parent ; and if all the said 
issue are in the same degree of kindred to said child, they shall share the said estate 
equally ; otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation. 

7. If the intestate shall have no widow nor kindred, his estate shall escheat to the State, 

and be added to the capital of the school fund. 
Sec. 2271. When the owner of any homestead shall die. not having lawfully devised the 
sMuie, such homestead shall descend free of all judgments and claims against such deceased 
owner or his estate, except mortgages lawfully executed thereon, and laborers' and mechanics' 
liens, in the manner following : 

1. If he shall have no lawful issue, to his widow. 

2. If he shall leave a widow and issue, to his widow during her widowhood, and, upon her 

marriage or death, to his heirs, according to the next preceding section. 

3. If he shall leave issue and no widow, to such issue, according to the preceding section. 

4. If he shall leave no issue or widow, such homestead shall descend under the next pre- 

ceding section, subject to lawful liens thereon. 



276 HISTOHY OF \VIS((»NSIX. 

OF WILLS. 

Sec. 2277. Every person of full age, and any married woman of the age of eighteen year- 
and upward, being of sound mind, seized in his or her own right of any lands, or of any rigiit 
thereto, or entitled to any interest therein, descendible to his or her heirs, may devise and dis- 
pose of the same by last will and testament in writing ; and all such estate not disposed of by 
will, shall descend as the estate of an intestate, being chargeable, in both cases, with the pay- 
ment of all his debts or her debts, except as provided in the ne.xt preceding chapter, and in sec- 
tion twenty-two hundred and eighty. 

Sec. 2278. Every devise of land in any will shall be construed to convey all the estate 
of the devisor therein, which he could lawfully devise, unless it shall clearly appear bj' the will 
that the devisor intended to convey a less estate. 

Sec. 227'.'. Any estate, right or interest in lands acquired by the testator, after the making 
of his will, shall pass thereb}^ in like manner as if possessed at the time of making the will, if 
such shall manifestly appear, by the will, to have been the intention of the testator. 

Sec. 2280. When any homestead shall have been disposed of by the last will and testa- 
ment of the owner thereof, the devisee shall take the same, free of all judgments and claims 
against the testator or his estate, except mortgages lawfully executed thereon, and laborers' and 
mechanics' liens. 

Sec. 2281. Every person of full age, and every married woman of the age of eighteen 
years and upward, being of sound mind, may, by last will and testament in writing, bequeath 
and dispose of all his or her personal estate remaining at his or her decease, and all his or her 
rights thereto and interest therein, subject to the payment of debts ; and all such estate not dis- 
posed of by the will shall be administered as intestate estate. 

Sec. 2284. All beneficial devises, legacies and gifts whatsoever, made or given in any will 
to a subscribing witness thereto, shall be wholly void, unless there be two other competent suli- 
scribing witnesses to the same ; but a mere charge on the lands of the devisor for the payment 
of debts, shall not prevent his creditors from being competent witnesses to his will. 

Sec. 2285. But if such witness, to whom any beneficial devise may have been made or 
given, would have been entitled to any share of the estate of the testator, in case the will was 
not established, then so much of the share that would have descended or been distributed to 
such witness as will not exceed the devise or bequest made to him in the will, shall be saved tn 
him, and he may recover the same of the devisees or legatees named in the will, in proportion 
to and out of the parts devised or bequeathed to them. 

Sec. 2286. When any child shall be born, after the making of his parent's will, and n 
provision shall be made therein for him, such child shall have the same share in the estate of the 
testator as if he had died intestate; and the share of such child shall be assigned to him, as pro- 
vided by law, in case of intestate estates, unless it shall be apparent from the will that it was 
the intention of the testator that no provision should be made for such child. 

Sec. 2290. No will, or any part thereof, shall be revoked, unless by burning, tearing, can- 
celiiig or obliterating the same, with the intention of revoking it, by the testator, or by some 
person in his presence, and by his direction, or by some other will or codicil in writing, executcil 
as prescribed in this chapter, or by some other writing, signed, attested and subscribed in the 
manner provided in this chapter, for the execution of a will ; excepting, only, that nothing con- 
tainf>d in this section shall prevent the revocation implied by law, from subsequent changes in 
the condition or circumstances of the testator. The power to make a will implies the power t" 
revoke the same. 

OF THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. 

Sec. 4021. Any inhabitant of this State may petition the County Court, in the county of 
his residence, for leave to adopt a child not his own by birth; but no such petition made by a 
married person shall be granted, unless the husband or wife of the petitioner shall join therein 



AISSTKACT OF LAWS. 277 

lor shall any such petition be granted, unless the child, if of the age of fourteen years, or more 
ihall consent thereto in writing, in the presence of the court. 

Sec. 4022. No such adoption shall be made, without the written consent of the living 
)arents of such child, unless the court shall find that one of the parents has abandoned the child, 
)r gone to parts unknown, when such con.sent may be given by the parent, if any, having the 
;are of the child. In case where neither of the parents is living, or if living, have abandoned 
he child, such consent maybe given by the guardian of such child, if any ; if such child has no 
guardian, such consent may be given by any of the ne.xt of kin of such child, residing in this State, 
)r, in the discretion of the court, by some suitable person to be appointed by the court. 

2. In case of a child not born in lawful wedlock, such consent may be given by the mother, 
if she is living, and has not abandoned such child. 

Sec. 4023. If upon such petition and consent, as herein provided, the County Court shall 
)e satisfied of the identity and the relations of the persons, and that the petitioners are of sufli- 
iient ability to bring up, and furnish suitable nurture and education for the child, having refer- 
jnce to the degree and condition of its parents, and that it is proper that such adoption shall 
ake eflFect, such court shall make an order, reciting said facts that, from and after the date 
hereof, such child shall be deemed, to all legal intents and purposes, the child of the petitioners ; 
md by such order the name of such child may be changed to that of the parents by adoption. 

Sec. 4024. A child so adopted, shall be deemed for the purposes of inheritance and succes- 
lion by such child, custody of the person and right of obedience by such parents by adoption, 
md all other legal consequences and incidents of the natural relation of parents and children, 
;he same to all intents and purposes as if such child had been born in lawful wedlock of such 
jarents by adoption, excepting that such child shall not be capable of taking property 
jxpressly limited to the heirs of the body of such parents. 

The natural parents of such child shall be deprived, by such order of adoption, of all legal 
•ights whatsoever, respecting such child, and such child shall be freed from all legal obligations of 
naintenance and obedience to such natural parents. 

INTEREST. 

The legal rate of interest is 7 per cent. A higher rate of interest, not exceeding 10 per 
sent, may be contracted for, but the same must be clearly expressed in writing. If a higher 
rate than 10 per cent is collected or paid, the party so paying may, by himself or his legal rep- 
resentative, recover treble the amount so paid above the 10 per cent, if the action is brought 
ftithin one year, and all bills, notes, or other contracts whatsoever, whereby a higher rate than 10 
per cent is secured, shall be liable for the principal sum, but no interest shall be recovered. 

JURISDICTION OF COURTS. 

The Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal actions within their 
respective circuits, subject to a re-examination by the Supreme Court. 

The County Courts shall have jurisdiction over the probate matters in their respective 
counties, and shall have exclusive appellate jurisdiction in the counties of Brown, Dodge, Fond 
du Lac, Milwaukee and Winnebago in all cases of appeals from Justices of the Peace in civil 
actions, and all cases commenced in Justices' Courts therein, there shall be an answer put in, 
showing that the title of lands will come in question. 

And such Courts shall have concurrent and equal jurisdiction in all civil actions and pro- 
ceedings w ith the Circuit Courts of said counties to the following extent respectively : 

The County Court of Brown, when the value of the property in controversy, after deduci- 
ng all payments and set-OS's, shall not exceed five thousand dollars. 

The County Court of Dodge County, when such value shall not exceed twenty-five thousand 
lollars. 



27* HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

The County Court of Fond du Lao. when such value shall not exceed twenty thousand 
dollars. 

The County Court of Milwaukee, when such value does not exceed five million dollars. 

The County of Winnebago, when such value does not exceed twenty thousand dollars. 

They shall have jurisdiction of all actions for foreclo;«ure where the value does not exceed 
the above amounts, and of all actions for divorce or for affirmation or annuUment of marriage 
contract. 

Justices of the Peace have jurisdiction in civil matters where two hundred ilollars or le.ss 
are involved. 

The criminal jurisdiction of Justices extends to all cases where the fine is one hundred dol- 
lars, or the imprisonment six months. 

JURORS. 

.AH persons who are citizens of the United States, and qualified electors of the State shall 
be liable to be drawn as jurors, except as provided as follows: 

The following persons shall be exempt from serving as jurors : • 

All officers of the United States, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State. 
Attorney General, State Superintendent and Treasurer: all Judges, Clerks of Courts or Record : 
all county officers, Constables, attorneys and counselors at law, ministers of the Gospel of any 
religious society, practicing physicians, surgeons, dentists, and the President, professors and 
instructors of the University and their assistants, and of the several colleges and incorporated 
acad<;mies ; all teachers of the State Normal Schools, one teacher in each common school, the 
officers and employes of the several State institutions, one miller in each grist-mill, one ferry- 
man at each licensed ferry, one dispensing druggist in each prescription drug-store, all telegraph 
operator.? and superintendents, conductors, engineers, firemen, collectors and station-agents of 
any railroad or canal, while in actual employment as such : all officers of fire departments, and 
all active members of fire companies organized according to law ; all persons more than sixty 
years of age, an(l all persons of unsound mind or subject to any bodily infirmity amounting to 
disability ; all persons who have been convicted of any infamous crime, and all persons who hav' 
served at any regular term of the Circuit Court as a grand or petit juror within one year, except 
he shall be summoned on a special venire or as a talesman. 



CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. 
Capital punishment has been abolished in this State. 

WOLF SCALPS. 
A bounty of five dollars is paid for each wolf scalp. 



I 



WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. i 

Whenever either of the articles, as commodities hereafter mentioned, shall be sold by the ,' 
bushel, and no special agreement as to measure or weight thereof shall be made by the parties, 
the measure shall be ascertained by weight, and shall be computed as follows: 

Sixty pounds for a bushel of wheat, clover seed, potatoes or beans. 

Fifty pounds for a bushel of green apples : fifty-six pounds for a bushel of rutabagas, flax- 
seed, rye or Indian corn shelled, and seventy pounds of Indian corn unshelled; fifty pounds for 
a bushel of rape seed, buckwheat, beets, carrots or onions : forty-eight pounds for a bushel of 
barley ; forty-five pounds for a bushel of timothy seed : forty-four pounds for a bushel of par- 
nips ; forty-two pounds for a bushel of comm.m flat turnips ; tiiirty-two pounds for a bushel " 
oats ; and twenty-eight pounds for a bushel of dried apples or dried peaches. 



ABSTKACT OF ]-A\VS. ' :2T9 

No person shall sell, buy or receive in store any grain at any weight or measure per bushel 
other than the standard weight or measure per bushel fixed by law ; and, for any violation, the 
oflfender shall forfeit not less than five nor more than fifty dollars. 

DAMAGES FOR TRESPASS. 

Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly destroy, remove, throw down or 
injure any fence, hedge or wall inclosing any orchard, pasture, meadow, garden, or any field 
whatever on land belonging to or lawfully occupied by another, or open and leave open, throw 
down, injure, remove or destroy' any gate or bars in such fence, hedge or wall, or cut down, root 
u]i, sever, injure, destroy or carry away when severed, any fruit, shade, ornamental or other tree, 
or any shrub, root, plant, fruit, flower, grain or other vegetable production, or dig up, sever or 
carry away any mineral, earth or stone, or tear down, mutilate, deface or injure any building, 
sign-board, fence or railing, or sever and carry away any part thereof, standing or being upon the 
land of another or held in trust, or who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly cut down, root 
up, injure, destroy or remove or carry away any fruit, ornamental or other tree, or any shrub, 
fruit, flower, vase or statue, arbor, or any ornamental structure, standing or being in any street 
or public ground in any city or village, in any private inclosure or highway, or destroy, remove, 
mutilate or injure any milestone or board, or any guide-post or board erected in any highway or 
public way, or on any turnpike, plank-road or railroad, or deface or obliterate any device or inscrip- 
tion thereon, or cut down, break ilown, remove, mutilate or injure any monument erected or tree 
marked for the purpose of designating the boundaries of any town or tract of land or subdivision 
thereof, or deface or obliterate any figures, letters, device or inscription thereon, made for such 
purpose, or break, remove, destroy or injure any post, guard, railing or lamp-post or lamp 
thereon, erected or being on any bridge, street, sidewalk, alley, court, passage, park, public 
ground, highway, turnpike, plank or rail road, or extinguish or break any lamp on any such 
lamp-post, or tear, deface, mutilate or injure any book, map, pamphlet, chart, picture or other 
property belonging to any public library, or take and carry away the same with intent to con- 
vert to his own use, or shall injure or destroy any personal property of another, shall be pun- 
ished by imprisonment in the county jail not more than six months, or by fine not exceeding 
one hundred dollars. 

Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly kill, maim, mutilate, disfigure or 
injure any horse, mule, cattle, sheep or other domestic animal of another, or administer poison 
to such animal, or expose any poison, with intent that the same may be taken or swallowed by 
such animal ; and any person who shall overdrive, overwork, overload, maim, wound, torture, 
torment, cruelly beat or kill any such animal belonging to himself or another, or being the owner 
or having the care or charge thereof, shall fail to provide necessary food, water or shelter for any 
such animal, or who shall turn out and abandon, without proper care and protection, or cruelly 
work any such animal when old, diseased, disabled or unfit for work, or shall carry or confine 
any live animal, fowl or bird, in a cruel or inhuman manner, or who shall cause, procure or abet 
any cruelty above mentioned, or the fighting or baiting of bulls, dogs or cocks, shall be punished 
by imprisonment in the county jail not more than six months or by fine not exceeding one hun- 
dred dollars. 

ESTRAYS. 

No stray, except horses and mules, shall be taken up by any person not a resident of the 
town in which it is found ; nor unless it is found upon land owned or occupied by him. Every 
finder for a stray mast notify the owner, if he is known, within seven days, and request him to 
pay all reasonable charges and take the stray away. If the owner is not known, he must file a 
notice with the Town Clerk within ten days, who shall transmit a copy thereof to the County 
Clerk. 

If the stray is not worth five dollars, the finder shall post a co]jy of such notice in two pub- 
lic places in such town ; if it exceed five dollars in value, he shall publish such notice four sue- 



280 HISTORY OF WISCONSIX. 

ceasive weeks either in some newspaper published in the county or in an adjoining county, if onr 
be published nearer his residence than any published in his county ; but if no newspaper is pub-, 
lished within twenty miles of his residence, then he must post such notice in three public places 
in his county. Such notice shall describe the stray by giving its marks, natural or artificial, as 
near as possible, the name and residence of the finder, specifying the section and town, and the 
time wlicn such stray was taken up. For neglect to post up or publi.^sh as required, the finder 
shall be liable to double the amount of damages sustained by the owner. For neglect to post or 
publish for one year, the finder shall be liable for its full value, to be recovered in the name of 
the town, and the amount recovered to be added to the school fund of such town. 

The finder shall, within one month, cause the stray to be appraised by a Justice of the Peace 
and a certificate of such appraisal signed by such Justice filed in the Town Clerk's oflice. The 
finder shall pay the Justice fifty cents for such certificate, and ten cents per mile for each mile 
necessarily traveled to make the same. 

The owner may have the same restored to him any time within one year after such notice 
is filed in the town Clerk's office, by proving that the stray belongs to him, and paying all lawful 
charges incurred in relation to the same. If the owner and finder cannot agree as to the charges, 
either party, on notice to the other, may apply to a Justice of such town to settle the same, who, 
for that purpose, may examine witnesses upon oath, and the amount found due, with the 
costs, shall be a lien upon such stray. If no owner applies for the return of such stray, as pro- 
vided, and the same is not worth more than ten dollars, it shall become the absolute property of 
such finder ; but if the appraisal shall exceed ten dollars, it shall be sold at ])ublic auction by 
the Sheriff or any Constable of the county, on the request of the finder, and he shall be entitled 
to one-half the proceeds, and the other half shall be paid to the Treasurer of the town within 
ten days. If the finder shall neglect or refuse to cause such sale, he shall pay to the town the 
value of such stray, to be recovered by the town. 

If any person, without the consent of the owner, shall take away such stray, without first 
paying the lawful charges, shall be liable to the finder for the value of such stray. If the finder 
shall neglect to do any act prescribed above, he shall be precluded from ac([uiring any right in 
such stray, and from receiving any charges or expenses relative thereto. 

FENCES. 

The Overseers of Highways in their respective towns, the Aldermen of cities in their 
respective wards, and the Trustees of villages In their respective villages, shall be Fence Viewers, 
and in towns having less than three road districts, the Supervisors shall be Fence Viewers. 

All fences four and a half feet high, and in good repair, consisting of rails, timber, board> 
or stone walls, or any combination thereof, and all brooks, rivers, ponds, creeks, ditches and 
hedges or other things which shall be considered equivalent thereto, in the judgment of the 
Fence Viewers, within whose jurisdiction the same may be, shall be deemed legal and sufficient 
fences Every partition of a fence, or line upon which a fence is to be built, made by the owner.- 
of the adjoining lands, in writing, sealed and witnessed by two witnesses, or by Fence Viewer,- 
in writing, under their hands, after being recorded in the Town Clerk's office, shall oblige such 
owners and their heirs, as long as they remain owners, and after parting with the ownership, 
until a new partition is made. A division of a partition fence, or line upon which a partition 
fence between adjoining lands shall be built, may be made by Fence Viewers in the following 
cases : 

1. When any owner of uninclosed lands shall desire to inclose the same, he may have tlu- 
line between his land and the adjoining land of any other person divided, and the portion upoii 
which the respective owners shall erect their share of the partition fence assigned, whether such 
adjoining land be inclosed or not. 

2. When any lands belonging to different persons in severalty, shall have been occupied 
in common, or without a partition fence between them, and one of the occupants shall be desirou- 



ABSTRACT OF J,AWS. 281 

to occupy his part in severalty, and the others shall refuse or neglect, on demand, to divide 
with him the line where the fence ought to be built, or to build a sufficient fence on his part of 
the line, when divided, the occupant desiring it may have the same divided, and the share of 
each assigned. 

3. When any controversy shall arise about the right of the respective occupants in parti- 
tion fences, or their obligations to maintain the same, either party may have the line divided, and 
the share of each assigned. 

In either case, application may be made to two or more Fence Viewers of the town where 
the lands lie, who shall give reasonable notice in writing to each party, and they shall in writing 
under their hands, divide the partition fence or line, and assign to each owner or occupant his 
share thereof, and in the second and third cases direct within what time each party shall build 
or repair his share of the fence, having regard to the season of the year, and shall file such deci- 
sion in the Town Clerk's office. If either party shall neglect or refuse to build or repair within 
the time so assigned, his part of the fence, the other may, after having completed his own part, 
build or repair such part, and recover double the expense thereof. 

Where the whole or a greater share than belongs to him has been built by one of the occu- 
pants, before complaint to the Fence Viewers, the other shall be obliged to pay for his share of 
such fence. 

Where uninclosed land is afterward inclosed, the owner shall pay for one-half the partition 
fence upon the line between him and any other owner or occupant. 

If any person shall determine not to keep inclosed any part of his hind adjoining any par- 
tition fence, and shall give six months' notice of such determination to all adjoining occupants, 
he shall not be required to maintain any part of such fence during the time his lands shall lie 
open. 

LANDLORD AND TENANT. 

The common law right to destrain for rent, is abolished. 

The atonement of a tenant to a stranger shall be absolutely void, and shall not in anywise 
efi'ect the possession of his landlord, unless it be made 

1. With the consent of the landlord; or 

'2. Pursuant to, or in consequence of, a judgment or order of a court of competent juris- 
diction ; or 

3. To a purchaser upon a judicial sale, who shall have acquired title to the lands by a 
conveyance thereof, after the period for redemption, if any, has expired. A tenancy, a will or. 
sufferance may be determined by the landlord, giving one month's notice to quit, or the tenant 
giving one month's notice of his intention to quit, or if the terms of payment are for less than a 
month, notice equal to the time between payments, or for non-payment of rent, fourteen days' 
notice to quit. Such notice shall be served by delivering the same to such tenant, or to some 
person of proper age residing on the premises, or if no such person can be found, by affixing the 
same in a conspicuous part of the premises, where it may be conveniently read, and, at the expi- 
ration of the time required after the service of such notice, the landlord may re-enter, or main- 
tain an action for the recovery of the possession thereof, or proceed in the manner prescribed by 
law to remove such tenant without further or other notice to quit. If, after giving notice of deter- 
mination to quit, the tenant neglects or refuses to deliver up the premises, he shall be liable to 
double the rent agreed upon, to be collected the same as single rent. 

MARKS AND BRANDS. 

Every Town Clerk shall, on application of any person residing in his town, record a 
description of the marks or brands with which such person may be desirous of marking his 
horses, cattle, sheep or hogs ; but the same description shall not be recorded or used by more 
than one resident of the same town. If any person shall mark any of his horses, cattle, sheep 



282 • HI8TOHV OF \VI8((»NMX. 

or hogs, with the same mark or brand previously recordeil by any resident of the same town, 
and while the same mark or brand shall be used by such resident, he shall forfeit for every such 
offense $o ; if any person shall willfully mark or brand any of the horses, cattle, sheep or hogs, 
of any other person with his mark or brand, he shall forfeit for every such offense $10 ; and, if 
any person shall willfully destroy or alter any mark or brand upon any of the horses, cattle, shee]! 
or hogs of another, he shall forfeit $10, and pay to the party injured double damages. 

SURVEYORS AND SURVEYS. 

A County Surveyor is elected every two years. 

The surveyor may appoint and remove deputies at will, on filing a certificate thereof with 
the County Clerk. He shall be responsible on his bond for the faithful performance by every 
deputy of his duties. 

It shall be the duty of the County Surveyor: 

(1.) To execute, himself or by his deputy, any survey which may be required of him by 
order of court, or upon application of any individual or corporation. 

(2.) To make a record of the plat and field notes of each survey made by him or his 
deputies, in record books kept therefor, and to so arrange or index the same as to be easy of 
reference, and to file and preserve in his office the original field notes and calculations thereof. 

(3.) To safely keep all books, records, plats, files, papers and property belonging to his 
office ; aff'ord opportunity to examine the same to any person desiring, and deliver the same to 
his successor in office. 

(4.) To furnish a copy of any record, plat or paper in his office, to any person on demand 
and payment of his legal fees therefor. 

(5.) To administer to ever}' chainman and marker assisting in any survey, before com- 
mencing their duties as such, an oath or affirmation faithfully and impartially to discharge the 
duties of chainman or marker, as the case maybe; and the surveyor and his deputies are 
empowered to administer the same. 

(6.) To perform such other duties as may be required by law. 

The surveyor and his deputies may demand and receive the following fees, except it be other- 
wise agreed upon with the parties employing them, to wit : 

For each day's service, $3. 

For each mile traveled in going from his office to the place of rendering service and return- 
ing, 10 cents. 

For plat and certificate, except town plats, 50 cents. 

For recording a survey, 50 cents. 

For each chainman and marker necessarily employed, $1.50 per day, unless they be fur- 
nished by the person for whom the survey is made. 

For making a copy. 10 cents a folio, and 25 cents for his certificate. 

SUPPORT OF THE POOR. 

Every town shall relieve and support all poor and indigent persons lawfully settled therein, 
whenever they shall stand in need thereof, excepting as follows: 

The father, mother and children, being of sufficient ability, of any poor person, who is blind, 
old, lame, impotent or decrepit, so as to be unable to maintain himself, shall, at their own 
charge, relieve and maintain such poor person in such manner as shall be approved by the Super- 
visors of the town where such person may be, and, upon the failure of any such relative so to do, 
the Supervisors shall apply to the County Judge for an order to compel such relief. 

Legal settlement may be acquired by one year's residence in a town of this State. 



ABSTRACT OF LAW'S. 2S3 

MARRIED WOMEN. 

In Wisconsin, the marriage of a femme sole, executri.x or administratrix, extinguishes her 
authority ; and of a female ward, terminates the guardianship as to custody of person, but not 
as to estate. The husband hokis his deceased wife's hinds for life, unless she left, by a former 
husband, issue to whom the estate might descend. Provisions exist by which powers may be 
given to married women, and regulating their execution of them. If husband and wife are 
impleaded, and the husband neglects to defend the rights of the wife, she applying before judg- 
ment, may defend without him ; and, if he lose her land, by default, she may bring an action 
for ejectment after his death. The real estate of females married before, and the real and per- 
sonal property of those after February 21, 1850, remain their separate property. And any 
married woman may receive, but not from her husband, and hold any property as if unmarried. 
She may insure the life of her husband, son, or any other person, for her own exclusive benefit. 
The property pf the wife remains to her separate use, not liable for her husband's debts, and 
not subject to his disposal. She may convey her separate property. If her husband desert 
her, or neglect her, she may become a sole trader; and she may insure his life for her benefit. 
Her husband is not liable for her debts contracted before marriage ; the individual earnings of 
the wife are her separate property, and she may sue, and be sued alone, in regard to the same. 
She may make and hold deposits in savings-banks. She may, by a separate conveyance, release 
her dower in any lands which her husband has conveyed. 

If a woman has authority, she can transact all her husband's business for him ; and while 
they live together, the wife can buy all family things necessary for the support of the family, 
and for which he is liable. 

The husband is responsible for necessaries supplied to his wife, if he does not supply them 
himself: and he continues so liable, if he turns her out of his house, or otherwise separates him- 
self from her without good cause. But he is not so liable, if she deserts him (unless on extreme 
provocation), or if he turns her away for good cause. If she leaves him, because he treats her 
so ill, that she has good right to go from him, this is the same thing as turning her away, and 
she carries with her his credit for all necessaries supplied to her ; but what the misconduct must 
be, to give this right, is uncertain. In America the law must be, and undoubtedly is, that the 
wife is not obliged to stay and endure cruelty and indecency. 

If a man lives with a woman as his wife, and represents her to be so, he is responsible, the 
same as if she were his wife, even if it is known that she is not his wife. 

ACTIONS. 

All distinctions have been abolished, and there is now but one form, which must be prose- 
cuted in the name of the real party in interest, except in case of executors, administrators and 
trustees, and which is begun by the service of a summons on the defendant, to be answered 
within twenty days. 

ARREST. 

Defendant may be arrested : 1. In an action to recover damages not on contract, where 
the defendant is a non-resident, or is about to remove froin the State, or where the action is for 
injury to the person or character, or for injury to, or wrong taking, detaining or converting 
property, or in an action to recover damages for property taken under false pretenses. 

2. In an action for a fine or penalty or for money received or property embezzled or 
fraudulently misapplied by a public officer or attorney, solicitor, or counsel or officer of a corpora- 
tion as such, or factor agent or broker, or for misconduct or neglect in official or professional 
employment. 

3. In an action to recover property unjustly detained where it is so concealed that the 
Sheriff cannot find the .same. 



284 HISTORY (»F WISCOXSIX. 

•4. Where the defendant was guilty of fraud in contracting the debt, or in concealing or 
disposing of the property for the taking, detaining or disposing of which the action is brought. 

An affidavit must be made on the part of the plaintiff, stating the cause of action and one 
of the above causes. 

ATTACHMENT 

is allowed on an affidavit that the defendant is indebted to plaintiff, and stating the amount and 
that it is due on contract ; and, 

1. That defendant has absconded, or is about to abscond, or is concealed to the injury of 
his creditors. 

2. That defendant has assigned, disposed or concealed his property or is about to do ^o 
with intent to defraud creditors. 

3. That the defendant has removed, or is about to remove, hi.s property from the St.tit? 
with intent to defraud creditors. 

4. That the debt was fraudulently contracted. 

5. That he is a non-resident. 

6. Or a foreign corporation. 

7. That he has fraudulently conveyed or disposed of his property with intent to defraud 
creditors. 

The amount sued for must exceed $50. 

GARNISHMENT 

is allowed on an affidavit on behalf of the creditor, that he believes that any thinl person (naming 
him) has property effects, or credits of defendant, or is indebted to him. also in execution, on a 
similar affidavit. 

JUDGMENT 

is a lien on real estate in the county where rendered from the date of docketing, and in other 
counties from the time of filing a transcript and the lien continues for ten years. It b^ars 
interest at 7 per cent, or as high as 10 per cent if stipulated for in the contract. 

STAY LAWS. 

In Justices' Courts, on giving bond with surety within five days after judgment was ren- 
dered, stay of execution is allowed, as follows : 

On sums not exceeding $10, exclusive of costs, one month ; between 810 and $30, two 
months ; between ^30 and $50, three months ; over $50, four months. 

EXEMPTIONS. 

A honrfestead not exceeding forty acres, used for agriculture iind a residence, and not 
included in a town plat or a city or village ; or, instead, one-quarter of an acre in a recorded 
town plat, city or village. Also, 1, Family Bible : 2, Family pictures and school-books : 3. 
Private library; 4, Scat or pew in church ; 5, Right of burial : 6, Wearing-apparel, beds, bed- 
steads and bedding, kept and used in the family, stoves and appurtenances, put up and used, 
cooking utensils and household furniture to the value of §200, one gun, rifle or fire-arm to thf 
value of $50 ; 7, Two cows, ten swine, one yoke of oxen and one horse or mule, or, in lien 
thereof, a span of horses or mules, ten sheep and the wool therefrom, necessary food for exempt 
stock for one year, provided or growing or both, one wagon, cart or dray, one sleigh, one plow, 
one drag and other farm utensils, including tackle for the teams to the value of $50 ; 8, Provis- 
ions and fuel for the fomily for one year ; 9, Tools and implements or stock-in-trade of '^ 



ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 285 

mechanic or miner, used and kept, not exceeding $200 in value, library and implements of a 
professional man to the value of $200 ; 10, Money arising from insurance of exempt property 
destroyed by fire ; 11, Inventions for debts against the inventor; 12, Sewing-machines: 13. 
Sword, plate, books or articles presented by Congress or Legislature of a State ; 14, Printing- 
material and presses to the value of $1,500 ; 15, Earnings of a married person necessary for 
family support for sixty days previous to issuing process. 

LIMITATIONS OF ACTIONS. 

Real actions, twenty years ; pei'sons under disabilities, five years after removal of the same. 
Judgments of Courts of Record of the State of Wisconsin and sealed instruments when the 
cause accrues within the State, twenty years. Judgments of other Courts of Record and sealed 
instruments accruing without the State, ten years. Other contracts, statute liabilities 
other than penalties and forfeitures, trespass on real property, trover detinue and replevin, 
six years. Actions against Sheriffs, Coroners and Constables, for acts ilone in their official 
capacity, except for escapes, three years. Statutory penalties and forfeitures, libel, slander, 
assault, battery and false imprisonment, two years. Actions against Sheriffs, etc., for escapes, 
one year. Persons under disabilities, except infants, may bring action after the disability ceases, 
provided the period is not extended more than five years., and infants one year after coming of 
age. Actions by representatives of deceased persons, one year from death ; against the same. 
one year from granting letters testamentary or of administration. New promise must be in 
writing. 

COMMERCIAL TERMS. 

\ $ — Means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was formerly placed before any 
lenomination of money, and meant, as it means now. United States currency. 
£ — Means pounds, English money. 

@ — Stands for at or to; ^ for pounds, and bbl. for bai-rels ; '^^ for per, or by the. Thus : 
Butter sells at 20@30c f ft, and Flour at $8(rt!l2 f bbl. % for per cent., and t for numbers. 
'^ May 1. Wheat sells at il.20@$1.25, " seller June." Seller June means that the person 
ivho sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering it at any time during the month of June. 

Selling short is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or stock at a fixed price, 
vithin a certain length of time, when the seller has not the stock on hand. It is for the interest 
)f the person selling short to depress the market as much as possible, in order that he may buy 
md fill his contract at a profit. Hence the " shorts " are termed " bears." 

Buying lotiy is to contrive to purchase a certain amount of grain or shares of stock at a 
lixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time, expecting to make a profit by the rise in prices. 
The " longs " are termed " bulls," as it is for their interest to " operate " .so as to " toss " the 
irices upward as much as possible. 

SUGGESTIONS TO THOSE PURCHASING BOOKS BY SUBSCRIPTION. 

The business of publishing books by subscription having so often been brought into disre- 
imte by agents making representations and declarations not authorized by the publisher, in 
trder to prevent that as much as possible, and that there may be more general knowledge of 
•he relation such agents bear to their principal, and the law governing such cases, the following 
tatement is made: 

A subscription is in the nature of a contract of mutual promises, by which the subscriber 
'/grees to pay a certain sum for the work described; the consideration is concurrent that the 

ublisher shall publish the book named, and deliver the same, for which the subscriber is to 
>ay the price named. The nature and character of the work is described by the prospectus 

nd sample shown. These should be carefully examined before subscribing, as they are the 



286 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

basis and consideratior. of the promise to pay, and not the too often exaggerated 'statements of 
the agent, who is merely employed to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually paid a com- 
mission for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter the conditions upon which 
the subscriptions are authorized to be made by the publisher. Should the agent assume to 
agree to make the subscription conditional or modify or change the agreement of the publisher, 
as set out by the prospectus and sample, in order to bind the principal, the subscriber should 
see that such condition or changes are stated over or in connection with his signature, so that 
the publisher may have notice of the same. 

All persons making contracts in refei'ence to matters of this kind, or any other business, 
should remember that the law as written is, that they cannot be altered, varied or rescinded 
verbally, but, if done at all, must be done in writing. It is therefore important that all persons 
contemplating subscribing should distinctly understand that all talk before or after the sub- 
scription is made, is not admissible as evidence, and is no part of the contract. 

Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as canvassers. They are 
agents appointed to do a particular business in a prescribed mode, and have no authority to do 
it any other way to the prejudice of their principal, nor can they bind their principal in any 
other matter. They cannot collect money, or agree that payment may be made in anything 
else but money. They cannot extend the time of payment beyond the time of delivery, nor 
bind their principal for the payment of expenses incurred in their business. 

It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons, before signing 
their names to any subscription book, or any written instrument; would examine carefully what 
it is ; if they cannot read themselves call on some one disinterested who can. 




CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 



CONDENSED. 



PREAMBLE. 



■ 



We, the People of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom ; in order to secure 
its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquillity, and promote the 
general welfare ; do establish this Constitution. 

Article I. 

DECLARATION OF RIGHTS. 

Section 1. All men are born free and independent, and have, among other rights, those 
of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Governments are instituted to secure these rights. 

Sec. 2. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except for the punish- 
ment of crimes. 

Sec. 3. Liberty of speech and of the press shall not be abridged. 

Sec. 4. The right of the people to peaceably assemble to consult for the common good 
shall never be abridged. 

Sec. .5. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate. 

Sec. 6. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel pun- 
ishments inflicted. 

Sec. 7^ In criminal prosecutions, the rights of the accused shall be protected. 
Sec. 8. Criminal offenses shall be prosecuted on presentment of a grand jurj'. No one 
shall be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense, nor be compelled to be a witness against 
himself Every one slinll have the right of giving bail except in capital offenses ; and the writ of 
habeas corpus shall not be suspended, except in case of rebellion or invasion. 

Sec. 9. Evei'y person is entitled to a certain remedy for all injuries or wrongs. 
Sec. 10. Treason consists in levying war against the State, or giving aid and comfort to 
its enemies. Two witnesses are necessary to convict a person of the crime. 

Sec. 11. • The people are to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures. 

Bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or laws impairing obligation of contracts, 
passed. 
No property shall be taken for public use witliout compensation. 
All laws in the State are allodial. Feudal tenures are prohibited. 
The rights of property are the same in resident aliens and citizens. 
No person shall be imprisoned for debt. 
Wholesome exemption laws shall be passed. 

Liberty of conscience and rights of worship shall never be abridged. The 
public money shall never be applied to sectarian uses. 

Sec. 19. No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification for any oiSce. 



Sec. 


12. 


shall never be 


Sec. 


13. 


Sec. 


14. 


Sec. 


15. 


Sec. 


16. 


Sec. 


17. 


Sec. 


18. 



288 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Sec. 20. The military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power. 
Sec. 21. Writs of error shall never be prohibited by law. 
Sec. 22. A free government can only be maintained by adhering to justice, moderation, 
temperance, frugality and virtue. 

Article II. 

BOUNDARIES. 

SECTION 1. The boundary of the State, beginning at the northeast corner of the State of 
Illinois, runs with the boundary line of Michigan, through Lake Michigan and Green Bay, to 
the mouth of the Menominie River ; up that stream and the Brule River to Lake Brule ; along 
the southern shore of that lake to the Lake of the Desert ; thence in a direct line to the head 
of Montreal River ; down the main channel of that stream to the middle of Lake Superior ; 
thence through the center of said lake to the mouth of St. Louis River ; up the channel of that 
stream to the first rapids ; thence due south to the main branch of the St. Croi.x ; down that 
river and the Mississippi to the northwest corner of Illinois ; thence due east with the northera 
boundary of that State to the place of beginning. 

Sec. 2. The propositions in the enabling act of Congress are accepted and confirmed. 

Article III. 

SUFFRAGE. 

Section 1. The (qualified electors are all male persons twenty-one years of age or upward, 
who are (1.) white citizens of the United States ; (2.) who are white persons of foreign birth that 
have declared their intentions, according to law, to become citizen's ; (3) who are persons of 
Indian blood and citizens of the United States ; and (4.) civilized Indians not members of any 
tribe. 

Sec. 2. Persons under guardianship, such as are non compus mentis or insane, an.l those 
convicted of treason and felony and not pardoned, are not qualified electors. 

Sec. 3. All votes shall be by ballot, except for township oflBcers when otherwise directed 
by law. 

Sec. 4. No person shall be deemed to have lost his residence by reason of his absence ou 
business for the State or United States. 

Sec. 5. No person in the army or navy shall become a resident of the State in conse 
quence of being stationed therein. 

Sec. 6. Persons convicted of bribery, larceny or any infamous crime, or those who bet 
ou elections, may be excluded by law from the right of suffrage. 

Article IV. 
legislative. 

Section 1. The Legislative power is invested in a Senate and Assembly. 

Sec. 2. Members of the Assembly shall never number less than fifty-four, nor more than 
one hundred ; of the Senate, not more than one-third, nor less than one-fourth of the mem 
bers of the Assembly. 

Sec. 3. Census shall be taken, every ten years, of the inhabitants of the State, beginning 
with 1855, when a new apportionment of members of the Senate and Assembly shall be made; 
also, after each United States census. 

Sec. 4. Members of the Assembly shall be chosen on the Tuesday succeeding the first 
Monday of November of each year. 

Sec. 5. Members of the Senate shall be elected for two years, at the same time and in 
the same manner as members of the Assembly. 



Sec. 


8. 


Sec. 


9. 


Sec. 


10. 


Sec. 


11. 


Sec. 


12. 



CONSTITUTION OF THK STATE OF WISCONSIN. 289 

Sec. 6. No person shall be eligible to the Legislature, unless a resident of the State one 
year, and a qualified elector. 

Sec. 7. Each House shall be the judge of the qualifications of its members. A majority 
shall be necessary to form a quorum. 

Each House shall make its own rules. 
Each House shall choose its own officers. 
Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings. 
The Legislature shall meet at the seat of government once a year. 
No member shall be eligible to any other civil office in the State, during the 
term for which he was elected. 

Sec. 13. No member shall be eligible to any office of the United States, during the term 
for which he was elected. 

Sec. 14. Writs of election, to fill vacancies in either House, shall be issued by the Gov- 
ernor. 

Sec. 15. Except treason, felony and breach of the peace, members are privileged from 
arrest in all cases : nor subject to any civil process during a session. 

Sec. 16. Members are not liable for words spoken in debate. 

Sec. 17. The style of all laws shall be, "The people of the State of Wisconsin rep- 
resented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows : " 

Sec. 18. Private or local bills shall not embrace more than one subject. 

Sec. 19. Bills may originate in either House, and a bill passed by one House may be 
amended by the other. 

Sec. 20. Yeas and nays, at the request of one-sixth of the members present, shall be 
entered on the journal. 

Sec. 21. [Each member shall receive, as an annual compensation, three hundred and 
fifty dollars and ten cents for each mile traveled in going to and returning from the seat of gov- 
ernment]. As amended in 1867. 

Sec. 22. Boards of Supervisors may be vested with powers of a local, legislative and 
administrative character, such as shall be conferred by the Legislature. 

Sec. 23. One system only, of town and county government, shall be established by the 
Legislature. 

Sec. 24. The Legislature shall never authorize any lottery, or grant any divorce. 

Sec. 25. Stationery, for State use and State printing, shall be let by contract to the low- 
est bidder. 

Sec. 26. Extra compensation to any public officer shall not be granted after service is 
rendered, nor shall his compensation be increased or diminished during his term of office. 

Sec. 27. The Legislature shall direct, by law, in what manner and in what Courts suits 
against the State may be brought. 

Sec. 28. Public officers .shall all take an oath of office. 

Sec. 29. The Legislature shall determine what persons shall constitute the militia, and 
may provide for organizing the same. 

Sec. 30. Members of the Legislature shall vote viva voce in all elections made by 
them. 

Sec. 31. [Special legislation is prohibited (1) for changing the name of persons, or con- 
stituting one person the heir-at-law of another; (2) for laying out, opening or altering high- 
ways, except in certain cases; (3) for authorizing persons to keep ferries; (4) for authorizing 
the sale of the property of minors ; (5) for locating a county seat ; (6) for assessment of taxes ; 
(7) for granting corporate powers, except to cities; (8) for apportioning any part of the school 
fund ; and (9) for incorporating any town or village, or to award the charter thereof]. Added 
by amendment, in 1871. 

Sec. 32. [General laws shall be passed for the transaction of any business prohibited by 
Section 21 of this Article.] Added by amendment, in 1871. 



290 HISTORY OF WISCONSIX. 



Article V. 



Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a Governor, who shall hold his oflSce 
two years. A Lieutenant Governor shall be elected at the same time and for the same term. 

Sec. 2. Governor and Lieutenant Governor must be citizens of the United States, and 
i|ualified electors of the State. 

Sec. 3. Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected at the times and places of choosing 
members of the Legislature. ■*. 

Sec. 4. The Governor shall be ( 1) commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of 
the State; (2) he has power to convene the Legislature in extra session ; (3) he shall communi- 
cate to the Legislature all necessary information; (4) he shall transact all necessary business 
with the officers of the State ; and (5) shall expedite ^11 legislative measures, and sec that the 
laws are faithfully executed. 

Sec. '}. [The Governor's salary shall be five thousand dollars per annum.] As amended 
in 1869. 

Sec. 6. The Governor shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons. 

Sec. 7. The executive duties shall devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor when, from any 
cause, the executive ofiice is vacated by the Governor. 

Sec. 8. The Lieutenant Governor shall be President of the Senate. The Secretary of 
State shall act as Governor when both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor ai'e incapacitated 
from any causes to fill the executive office. 

Sec 9. [The Lieutenant Governor shall receive a salary of one thousand dollars per 
Miinum.] As amended in 18lJ9. ' 

Sec. 10. All legislative bills shall be presented to the Governor for bis signature before 
they become laws. Bills returned by the Governor without his signature may become laws by 
agreement of two-thirds of the members present in each house. 

Article VI. 
administration. 

Section 1. A Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall be elected at the 
times and places of choosing members of the Legislature, who shall severally hold their offices 
for two years. 

Sec. 2. The Secretary of State shall keep a record of the official acts of the Legislature 
and Executive Department. He shall be ex officio Auditor. 

Sec. 3. The powers, duties and compensation of the Treasui'er and Attorney General 
shall be prescribed by law. 

Sec. 4. Sherifl's, Coroners. Registers of Deeds and District Attorneys shall be elected 
every two years. 

Article VII. 
judiciary. 

Section 1. The Senate .shall form the Court of Impeachment. Judgment shall not 
extend further than removal from office : but the person impeached shall be liable to indictment, 
trial and punishment, according to law. 

Sec. 2. The judicial power of the State is vested in a Supreme Court, Circuit Courts. 
Courts of Probate, and in Justices of the Peace. Municipal courts, also, may be authorized. 

Sec. 3. The Supreme Court shall have appellate jui-isdiction only. Trial by jury is not 
allowed in any case. The Court shall have a general superintending control over inferior courts, 
and power to issue writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and 
other original and remedial writs. 



C0:N'f>TITUT10X OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 293 

Sec. 4. [The Supreme Coui't shall consist of one Chief Justice, and four Associate 
Justices, each for the term of ten years.] As amended in 1877. 
Sec. 5. The State shall be divided into five Judicial Circuits. 
Sec. 6. The Legislature may alter the limits or increase the number of the circuits. 

Sec. 7. There shall be a Judge chosen for each Circuit, who shall reside therein ; his 
term of office shall be six years. 

Sec. 8. The Circuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all matters civil and crim- 
inal, not excepted in this Constitution, and not prohibited hereafter by law, and appellate juris- 
diction from all inferior courts. They shall have power to issue writs of habeas corpus, man- 
damus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and all other writs necessary to carry their ordei's 
and judgments into effect. 

Sec. 9. Vacancies in the oflBce of Supreme or Circuit Judge shall be filled by the Gover- 
nor. Election for Judges sliall not be at any general election, nor within thirty days before or 
after said election. 

Sec. 10. Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts shall receive a salary of not less than 
one thousand five hundred dollars, and shall hold no other office, except a judicial one, during 
the term for which they are respectively elected. Each Judge shall be a citizen of the United 
States, and have attained the age of twenty-five years. He shall also be a qualified elector within 
the jurisdiction for which he may be chosen. 

Sec. 11. The Supreme Court shall hold at least one term annually. A Circuit Court 
shall be held at least twice in each year, in each county of this State organized for judicial pur- 
poses. 

Sec. 12. There shall be a Clerk of the Circuit Court chosen in each county, whose term 
of office shall be two years. The Supreme Court shall appoint its own Clerk. 

Sec. 13. Any Judge of the Suprcne or Circuit Court may be removed from office by vote 
of two-thirds of all the members elected to both Senate and Assembly. 

Sec. 14. A Judge of Probate shall be elected in each county, who shall hold his office for 
two years. 

Sec. 15. Justices of the Peace shall be elected in the several towns, villages and cities of 
the State, in such manner as the Legislature may direct, whose terra of office shall be two years. 
Their civil and criminal jurisdiction shall be prescribed by law. 

Sec. 16. Laws shall be passed for the regulation of tribunals of conciliation. These may 
be established in and for any township. 

Sec. 17. The style of all writs and process shall be " The State of Wisconsin." Criminal 
prosecutions shall be carried on in the name and by authority of the State ; and all indictments 
sliall conclude against the peace and dignity of the same. 

Sec. 18. A tax shall be imposed by the Legislature on all civil suits, which shall consti- 
tute a fund, to be applied toward the payment of the salary of Judges. 

Sec. 19. Testimony in equity causes shall be taken the same as in cases at law. The 
iiffice of Master in Chancery is prohibited. 

Sec. 20. Any suitor may prosecute or def^^nd his case in his own proper person, or by 
attorney or agent. 

Sec. 21. Statute laws and such judicial decisions as are deemed expedient, shall be pub- 
lished. No general law shall be in force until published. 

Sec. 22. The Legislature at its first session shall provide for the appointment of three 
Commissioners to revise the rules of practice in the several Courts of Record in the State. 

Sec. 23. The Legislature may confer judicial powers on one or more persons in each 
•organized county of the State. Powers granted to such Commissioners shall not exceed that fo 
u Judge of a Circuit Court at chambers. 



» 



294 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN. 

Article VIII. 

FINANCE. 

Section 1. Taxation shall be uniform, and taxes shall be levied upon such property as the 
Legislature may prescribe. 

Section 2. [No money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appro- 
priation by law. Claims made against the State must be filed within six years after having 
accrued.] As amended in 1877. 

Sec. 3. The credit of the State shall never be given or loaned in aid of any individual, 
association or corporation. 

Sec. 4. The State shall never contract any public debt, except in the cases and manner 
provided in this Constitution. 

Sec. 5. A tax shall be levied each year sufficient to defray estimated expenses. 

Sec. 6. Debts not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars may be contracted by the State, 
which shall be paid within five years thereafter. 

Sec. 7. The Legislature may borrow money to repel invasion, suppress insurrection or 
defend the State in time of war. 

Sec. 8. All fiscal laws in the Legislature shall be voted on by yeas and nays. 

Sec. 9. State scrip shall not be issued except for such debts as are authorized by the sixth 
and seventh sections of this article. 

Sec. 10. No debt for internal improvements shall be contracted by the State. 

Article IX. 
eminent domain and property of the state. 

Section 1. The State shall have concurrent jurisdiction on all rivers and lakes border- 
ing on Wisconsin. 

Sec. 2. The title to all property which has accrued to the Territory of Wisconsin shall 
vest in the State of W'isconsin. 

Sec. 3. The ultimate property in and to all lands of the State is possessed by the 
people. 

Article X. 

education. 

Section 1. The supervision of public instruction shall be vested in a State Superintend- 
ent and such other officers as the Legislature shall direct. The annual compensation of the 
State Superintendent shall not exceed twelve hundred dollars. 

Sec. 2. The school fund to support and maintain common schools, academies and nor- 
mal schools, and to purchase apparatus and libraries therefor, shall be created out of (1) the 
proceeds of lands from the United States; (2) out of forfeitures and escheats; (8) out of 
moneys paid as exemptions from military duty ; (4) out of fines collected for breach of penal 
laws ; (5) out of any grant to the State where the purposes of such grant are not specified; (6) 
out of the proceeds of the sale of five hundred thousand acres of land granted by Congress Sep- 
tember 14, 1841 ; and (7) out oi the five per centum of the net proceeds of the public lands to 
which the State shall become entitled on her admission into the Union (if Congress shall con- 
sent to such appropriation of the two grants last mentioned.) 

Sec. 3. District schools shall be established by law which shall be free to all children be- 
tween the ages of four and twenty years. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed therein. 

Sec. 4. Each town and city shall raise for common schools therein by taxation a sum equal 
to one-half the amount received from the school fund of the State. 



COlSrSTITHTION' OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIJf. 295 

Sec. 5. Provisions shall be made by law for the distribution of the income of the schools 
fund among the several towns and cities for the support of common schools therein ; but no 
appropriation shall be made when there is a failure to raise the proper tax, or whan a school 
shall not have been maintained at least three months of the year. 

Sec. 6. Provision shall be made by law for the establishment of a State University. The 
proceeds of all lands granted for the support of a university by the United States shall consti- 
tute "the University fund," the interest of which shall be appropriated to the support of the 
State University. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed in such university. 

Sec. 7. The Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall constitute a Board 
of Commissioners to sell school and university lands and for the investments of the proceeds 
thereof. 

Sec. 8. School and university lands shall be appraised and sold according to law. The 
Commissioners shall execute deeds to purchasers, and shall invest the proceeds of the sales of 
such lands in such manner as the Legislature shall provide. 

Article XL 

CORPORATIONS. 

Section 1. Corporations without banking powers may be formed under general laws, but 
shall not be created by special act, except for municipal purposes, and in cases where, in the 
judgment of the Legislature, the objects of the corporation cannot be attained under general laws. 

Sec. 2. No municipal corporation shall take private property for public use, against the 
consent of the owner, except by jury trial. 

Sec. 3. Cities and incorporated villages shall be organized, and their powers restricted by 
law so as to prevent abuses. [No county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal 
corporation, shall become indebted to exceed five per centum on the value of the taxable property 
therein.] As amended in 1874. 

Sec. 4. Banks shall not be created except as provided in this article. 

Sec. 5. The question of " bank "or '' no bank " may be submitted to the voters of the 
State ; and if a majority of all the votes cast shall be in favor of banks, the Legislature shall 
have power to grant bank charters, or pass a general banking law. 

Article XII. 

Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed in either house of the Legis- 
lature, and referred to the next Legislature and published for three months previous. If agreed 
to by a majority of all the members elected to each house, then the amendment or amendments 
shall submit them to the vote of the people ; and if the people shall approve and ratify such 
amendment or amendments, they shall become a part of the Constitution. 

Sec. 2. If a convention to revise or change the Constitution shall be deemed necessary by 
the Legislature, they shall recommend to the electors of the State to vote at the next general 
election for or against the same. If the vote shall be for the calling of such convention, then 
the Legislature, at its next session, shall provide for the same. 

Article XIII. 
miscellaneous provisions. 

Section 1. The political year for Wisconsin shall commence on the first Monday in Jan- 
uary in each year. General elections shall be holden on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday 
in November. 

Sec. 2. A duelist shall not be qualified as an elector in this State. 

Sec. 3. United States ofiicers (except Postmasters), public defaulters, or persons convicted 
of infamous crimes, shall not be eligible to ofiice in this State. 



296 JIISTOHY OF WISCONSIN. 



\ 



Sec. 4. A great seal for the State shall be provided, and all official acts of the Governor 
(except his approbation of the laws), shall be authenticated thereby-. 

Sec. o. Residents on Indian lands may vote, if duly qualified, at the polls nearest their 
residence. 

Sec. 6. Elective officers of the Legislature, other than the presiding officers, shall be a 
Chief Clerk, and a Sergeant-at-Arms, to be elected by each House. 

Sec. 7. No county with an area of nine hundred square miles or less, shall be divided, 
without submitting the question to the vote of the people of the county. 

Sec. 8. [The Legislature is prohibited from enacting any special or private laws, for locating 
or changing any county seat.] See amendment adopted in 1871, as Sec. 31 (Subdivision 5) of 
Art. lY. 

Sec. 9. Officers not provided for by this Constitution shall be elected as the Legislature 
shall direct. 

Sec. 10. The Legislature may declare the cases in which any office shall be deemed 
vacant, and also the manner of filling the vacancy, where no provision is made for that purpose 
in this Constitution. 

Article XIV. 
schedule. 

Section 1. All rights under the Territorial government are continued under the State 
government. Territorial processes are valid after the State is admitted into the Union. 

Sec. 2. Existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin not repugnant to this Constitution 
shall remain in force until they expire by limitation or are altered or repealed. 

Sec. 3. All fines, penalties or forfeitures accruing to the Territory of Wisconsin shall 
inure to the use of the State. 

Sec. 4. Territorial recognizances, bonds and public property shall pass to and be vested 
in the State. Criminal prosecutions, offenses committed against the laws, and all actions at law 
and suits in equity in the Territory of Wisconsin shall be contained in and prosecuted by the 
State. 

Sec. .5. Officers holding under authority of the United States or of the Territory of Wis- 
consin shall continue in office until superseded bj' State authority. 

Sec. 6. The first session of the State Legislature shall commence on the first Monday in 
June next, and shall be held at the village of Madison, which shall be and remain the seat of 
government until otherwise provided by law. 

Sec. 7. Existing county and town officers shall hold their offices until the Legislature of 
the State shall provide for the holding of elections to fill such offices. 

Sec. 8. A copy of this Constitution shall be transmitted to the President of the United 
States to be laid before Congress at its present session. 

Sec. 9. This Constitution shall be submitted to the vote of the people for ratification or 
rejection on the second Monday in March next. If ratified, an election shall be held for 
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Attorney General, members ot the State Legisla- 
ture and members of Congress, on the second Monday of May next. 

Sec. 10. [_Omifted. See Section 1, Chapter 3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.] 

Sec. 11. The several elections provided for in this Article shall be conducted according 
to the existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin. 

Sec. 12. lOmitted. See Section 1. Chapter 3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.] 

Sec. 13. The common law in force in the Territory of Wisconsin shall continue in force 
in the State until altered or suspended by the Legislature. 

Sec. 14. The Senators first elected in the even-numbered Senate districts, the Governor. 
Lieutenant Governor and other State officers first elected under this Constitution, shall enter 
upon their duties on the first Monday of June next, and hold their offices for one year from the 
first Monday of January next. The Senators first elected in the odd-numbered districts and the 



COXSTITUTION OF THK TNITED STATES. 297 

members of the Assembly first elected shall enter upon their duties on the first Monday of June 
next, and continue in office until the first Monday in January next. 

Sec. 15. The oath of office may be administered by any Judge or Justice of the Peace, 
until the Legislature shall otherwise direct. 



We, the undersigned, members of the Convention to form a Constitution for the State of 
Wisconsin, to be submitted to the people thereof for their ratification or rejection, do hereby 
certify that the foregoing is the Constitution adopted by the Convention. 

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, at Madison, the 1st day of Feb- 
ruary, A. D. 1848. 

Morgan L. Martin, 
President of the Convention and Delegate from Broivn County. 
Thomas McHugh, 

Secretary. 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



C03Srr>KN^SKX>. 



PREAMBLE. 

We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, 
insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, 
and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish 
this Constitution for the United States of America. 

ARTICLE L 

Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congi-ess, which shall 
consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. 

Sec. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second 
year by the people of the States, and electors shall have qualifications for electors of the most 
numerous branch of the State Legislature. 

Representatives must be twenty-five years of age, and must have been seven years citizens 
of the United States, and inhabitants of the State in which they shall be chosen. 

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States according to 
population, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including 
apprentices and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The enumeration 
shall be made within three years after the first meeting of Congress, and every ten years there- 
after in such manner as Congress shall by law direct. States shall have one Representative only 
for each thirty thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative ; and until such 
enumeration shall be made. New Hampshire shall choose three ; Massachusetts, eight ; Rhode 
Island, one ; Connecticut, five ; New York, six ; New Jersey, four ; Pennsylvania, eight ; Del- 
aware, one ; Maryland, six ; Virginia, ten ; North Carolina, five ; South Carolina, five, and 
Georgia, three. 

Vacancies in the representation from any State shall be filled by elections, ordered by the 
executive authority of the State. 



298 HISTORY OF AVISCOX.Sl^". 

The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers, and shall have 
the sole power of impeachment. 

Sec. 3. The Senate shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the 
Legislature thereof for six yeiirs : and each Senator shall have one vote. 

Senator.'' shall be divided as equally as may be into three clas-ses immediately after assem- 
bling, in consequence of the first election. The first class shall vacate their seats at the expira- 
tion of the second year ; the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year, and the third 
class, at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every second year; 
and vacancies happening by resignation or otherwise during the recess of the Legislature of any 
State may be filled by temporary appointments of the Executive until the next meeting of the 
Legislature. 

All Senators shall have attained the age of thirty years, and shall have been nine year- 
citizens of the United States, and shall be inhabitants of the State for which they shall be 
chosen. 

The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall havf 
no vote, unless they be equally divided. 

The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the 
absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the oflBce of President. 

The Senate shall have the sole power to try impeachments. When sitting for that purpose, 
they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President is tried, the Chief Justice shall pre- 
side, and concurrence of two-thirds of tiie members present shall be necessary to conviction. 

Judgment in cases of impeachment shall be limited to removal from office and disqualifica- 
tion to hold any office under the United States ; but the party convicted shall be liable to trial 
and punishment according to law. 

Sec. 4. The Legislature of each State shall prescribe the times, places and manner of 
holding elections for Senators and Representatives, but Congress may make or alter such regu- 
lations, except as to the place of choosing Senators. 

Congress shall assemble annually, on the first Monday in December, unless a different day 
be appointed. 

Sec. 5. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its 
own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business ; but a smaller 
number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel attendance of absent members, under 
penalties. 

Each House may determine its own rules of proceeding, punish its members, and, by a two- 
thirds vote, expel a member. 

Each House shall keep a journal, which shall be published at their discretion, and one-fifth 
of those present may require the yeas and nays to be entered on the journal. 

Neither House shall adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other, 
nor to any other place than that in which they are sitting. 

Sec. 6. The compensation of Senators and Representatives shall be fixed by law, and 
paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall be privileged from arrest during 
attendance at the session of their respective Houses, except for treason, felony and breach of 
the peace, and shall not be <|uestioned in any other place for any speech or debate in either 
House. 

No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointei 
to any civil office under the United States which shall have been created or the emoluments 
whereof shall have been increased during such time : and no person holding office under the 
United States shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office. 

Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but 
may be amended by the Senate. 

Every bill passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate shall, before it beconi- - 
a law, be presented to the President; if he approve, he shall sign it; but if not, he shall retur 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 299 

it, with his objections, to that House in which it originated, who shall enter the objections on 
their journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after reconsideration, two-thirds shall agree to 
pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other House, and, if approved by two- 
thirds of that House, it shall become a law. But in all such cases, the yeas and nays shall be 
taken, and entered upon the journal of each House, respectively. Any bill not returned by 
the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, shall 
be a law, as if he had signed it, unless Congress, by adjournment, shall prevent its return, in 
which case it shall not be a law. 

Every order, resolution or vote requiring the concurrence of the Senate and House of Rep- 
resentatives (except a question of adjournment), shall be approved by the President before tak- . 
ing eflFect ; or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by a two-thirds vote of each House. 
as in the case of a bill. 

Sec. 8. Congress shall have power : 

To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the 
common defense and general welfare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts and excises 
shall be uniform throughout the United States ; 

To borrow money on the public credit ; 

To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States and with the 
Inilian tribes ; 

To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bank- 
ruptcies ; 

To coin money, regulate the value thereof and foreign coin, and fi.x the standard of weights 
and measures ; 

To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United 
States ; 

To establish post offices and post roads ; 

To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors 
and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries ; 

To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court ; 

To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against 
the laws of nations ; 

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on 
land and water ; 

To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer 
term than two years ; 

To provide and maintain a navy : 

To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces ; 

To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insur- 
rection and repel invasions ; 

To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for governing such parts 
of them as may be employed in the service of the United States — the several States to appoint 
the officers and to train the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress ; 

To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases, over the seat of Government, and over all 
forts, magazines, arsenals, dock-yards and other needful buildings ; and 

To make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution all powers vested by this 
Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof. 

Sec. 9. Foreign immigration or the importation of slaves into the States shall not be pro- 
hibited by Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty 
may be imposed not exceeding ten dollars for each person so imported. 

The writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless required by the public safety in 
cases of rebellion or invasion. 

No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed. 



300 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enu- 
meration hereinbefore directed to be made. 

No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State. 

In regulating commerce or revenue, no preference shall be given to the ports of one State 
over those of another; nor shall vessels bound to or from one State be obliged to enter, clear or 
pay duties in another. 

No money shall be drawn from the Treasury unless appropriated by law ; and accounts of 
the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time. 

No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States ; and no person holding any 
office under them shall accept any present, emolument, office or title from any foreign State, 
without the consent of Congress. 

Sec. 10. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation ; grant letters of 
marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin 
a tender in payment of debts; pass bills of attainder, ex po.st facto laws, or law impairing the 
obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility. 

No State shall, without the consent of Congress, la}' any imposts or duties on imports or 
exports, except for the execution of its inspection laws; and all such duties shall be for the use 
of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of Congress. 

No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or 
ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another State or with a 
foreign power, or engage in war unless actually invaded or in imminent and immediate danger. 

Artici,k II. 

Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President. He shall hold office for 
four years, and, together with the Vice President chosen for the same term, shall be elected a,s 
follows : 

Each State shall appoint in the manner directed by the Legislature, a number of electore 
equal to the whole number of its Senators and Representatives in Congre.ss ; but no Senator or 
Representative or person holding any office under the United States shall be appointed an 
elector. 

[ The third clause of this section has been supersede J and amended by the I'th Amendment.^ 

Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall 
give their votes, which day shall be the same throughout the United States. 

A natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this 
Constitution, only shall be eligible to the office of President ; and he must have attained the age 
of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States. 

If the President be I'eraoved from office, die, resign, or become unable to discharge the duties 
of his office, the same shall devolve upon the Vice President, and Congress may provide by law 
for the case of removal, death, resignation or inability of both the President and Vice President, 
declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the 
disability be removed or a President elected.* 

The President shall receive a compensation for his services, which shall be neither increased 
nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been electedt and within that period 
he shall not receive any other emolument from the United States or from any of them. 

Before entering upon office he shall take the following oath or affirmation : "I do solemnly 
swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and 
will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United 
States." 

* By act uf March 1, 1792. Congress pruTided for this contiDgency. deeignatinK Ute President of the Seoate ^pn tempore, or if there he none 
the Speaker of the Uouse of Ropresentativen, to succeed to the chief Executive office in the event of ii vacancy in the offices of both President 
and Vice President. 

t The President's salary was fixed Fehmiuy 18, 1793, at (26,000, and wu increased March 3, 1873, to $50,000. 



CONSTITITIOX OK THK t XI'PED STATES. 301 

Sec. 2. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy of the 
United States, and of the militia of the sevei-al States, when in actual service of the United 
States; he may require the written opinion of the principal officers of the several executive 
departments upon subjects relating to the duties of their respective offices, and shall have power to 
grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment. 

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, 
provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur, and shall nominate to the Senate ambassa- 
dors, other public ministers and consuls. Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of 
the United States whose appointment is not otherwise provided for ; but Congress may vest the 
appointment of inferior officers in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of 
departments. 

The President may fill all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by 
granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session. 

He shall, from time to time, give Congress information of the state of the Union, and 
recommend measures to their consideration ; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both 
Houses or either of them, and, in case of disagreement between them as to the time of adjourn- 
ment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper ; he shall receive ambassadors 
and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall com- 
mission all the officers of the United States. 

Sec. 4. The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be 
removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes 
and misdemeanors. 

Article III. 

Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme 
Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme 
and inferior Courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall receive a compensa- 
tion which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office. 

Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this 
Constitution, the laws of the United States, treaties, cases affecting ambassadors, other public 
ministers and consuls, all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which 
the United States shall be a party ; controversies between two or more States ; between a State 
and citizens of another State ; between citizens of different States ; between citizens of the same 
State claiming lands under grants of different States, and between a State or the citizens thereof 
and foreign States, citizens or subjects. 

In all cases affecting Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State is a party, the 
Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all other cases mentioned, the Supreme 
Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, subject to exceptions and regu- 
lations made by Congress. 

All crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be tried by jury, and in the State where 
the crime was committed ; but Congress shall fix the place of trial for crimes not committed 
within any State. 

Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, 
or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of 
treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open 
court. 

Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason 
shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted. 

Article IV. 

Section 1. Each State shall give full faith and credit to the public acts, records and judi- 
cial proceedings of every other State, and Congress may prescribe the manner in which such 
acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof. 



302 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 

Sec. 2. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of 
citizens in the several States. 

Fugitives from justice in any State found in another State, shall, on demand of the Execu- 
tive, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime. 

No person held to service or labor in one State under the laws thereof, escaping into another, 
shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor, 
but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due. 

Sec. 3. New States may be admitted to the Union, but no new State shall be formed 
within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor by the junction of two or more States, or parts 
of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned, as well as of Congress. 

Congress shall have power to dispose of and to regulate and govern the territory or other 
property belonging to the United States ; and nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to 
prejudice any claims of the United States, or any particular State. ! 

Every State shall be guaranteed a republican form of government, and shall be protected 
against invasion ; and on an application of the Legislature, or of the executive (when the Legis- 
lature cannot be convened), against domestic violence. 

Article V. 

Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amend- 
ments to this Constitution, or, on application of two-thirds of the Legislatures of the several 
States, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all 
intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths 
of the several States, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of 
ratification may be proposed by the Congress : provided that no amendment which may be made 
prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and 
fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article ; and that no State, without its consent, 
shall be deprived of its equal sufi'rage in the Senate. 

Article VI. 

All existing debts and engagements shall be valid against the L^nited States under this 
Constitution. 

This Constitution and the laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof; and all 
treaties made under the authority of the L^nited States, shall be the supreme law of the land, 
and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby ; anything in the Constitution or laws of 
any State to the contrary notwithstanding. 

Senators and Representatives, members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive 
and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath 
or affirmation, to support this Constitution ; but no religious test shall ever be required as a 
qualification to any office or public trust under the United States. 

Article VII. 

The ratification of the Convention of nine States shall be suflBcient for the establishment of 
this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same. 

Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the States present, the seventeenth day 
of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the 
independence of che United States of America the twelfth. 

In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, 
President and Deputy from Virginia. 
[Other signatures omitted.] 






CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 303 

Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America. 

Proposed by Congress and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to 
the Fifth Article of the original Constitution. 

Article I. 

Congress shall make no law respecting religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; 
or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press ; or of the right of the people peaceably to 
assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of gi'ievances. 

Article II. 

A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the 
people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. 

Article III. 

No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the 
owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 

Article IV. 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons and property against unreasonable 
searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, 
supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the 
persons or things to be seized. 

Article V. 

No person shall be held to answer for any infamous crime unless on an indictment of a 
grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual 
service in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any person be twice put in jeopardy of life 
or limb for the same offense ; nor shall he be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness 
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law ; nor 
shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. 

Article VI. 

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to speedy and public trial, 
by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, and 
to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses 
against him ; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the 
assistance of counsel for his defense. 

Article VII. 

In suits at common law, when the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the 
right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise 
re-examined in any court of the United States than according to the rules of the common law. 

Article VIII. 

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual pun- 
ishments inflicted. 



304 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIX. 



Article IX. 



The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or dis- 
parage others retained by the people. 

Article X. 

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to 
the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people. 

Article XI. 

The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law 
or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another 
State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign State. 

Article XII. 

The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice 
President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the sam^ State with themselves ; 
distinct ballots shall be made for President and Vice President, and distinct lists made of such 
ballots and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify and transmit 
sealed to the seat of government, addressed to the President of the Senate ; the President of the 
Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates, 
and the votes shall then be counted ; the person having the greatest number of votes for Presi- 
dent shall be President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ; 
if no person have such majority, then from those having the highest numbers, not exceeding 
three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose imme- 
diately by ballot the President. But, in choosing the President, the vote shall be taken by 
States, each State having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or mem- 
bers from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice. 
If, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, the House of Representatives shall not 
choose a President before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President shall 
act as President, as in the case of death or disability of the President. The person having the 
greatest number of votes as Vice President shall be the Vice President, if such number be a 
majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from 
the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice President ; a quorum for 
the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the 
whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person ineligible to the office of President 
shall be eligible to that of Vice President of the United States. 

Article XIII. 

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime 
Avhereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any 
place subject to their jurisdiction. 

Sec. 3. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. 

Article XIV. 

Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, or subject to the juris- 
diction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the State wherein they reside. No 
State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens 
of the United States ; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property without 



& 



COXST^TUTIOX OF THE UJflTED STATES. 



305 



due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the 
law. 

Sec. 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the States according to population, 
counting the whole number of persons in each State, including Indians not taxed. But when 
the right to vote is denied to any of the male inhabitants of a State, being twenty-one years of 
age and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in 
rebellion or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion 
which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty- 
one years of age in such State. 

Sec. 3. No person shall hold any office under the United States or under any State, who 
having previously, as an officer of the United States of any State, taken an oath to support the 
Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the 
same, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof But Congress may, by a vote of two- 
thirds of each Hou.se, remove such disability. 

Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, including pensions and 
bounties, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume 
or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United 
States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave ;. but all such debts, obligations 
and claims shall be held illegal and void. 

Sec. 5. Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions 
of this article. 

Article XV. 

Section 1. The right of citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United 
States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. 

Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appi-opriate legislation. 




ALPHABETICAL LIST OF COUNTIES AND CITIES 

WITH GUBERNATORIAL AND PRESIDENTIAL VOTES. 

Xole. — The Republican or Democratic majority in each county is given as between Smith and Mallory. Green- 
back majority is only given when the vote for AIUs exceeds the others, and is taken from the highest vote. 



COUNTIES. 


i . 


GOVERNOK, 

1877. 


PRESIDENT. 

1876. 


. 


Smith. 


Malloiy. 


Allia. 


MaJ. 


Hayea. 


Tilden. 


Hai. 


Adams 


580 

86 

459 

40 

1387 

1075 

336 

450 

685 

449 

2048 

806 

3613 

2333 

477 

21 

1174 

1208 

3086 

2620 

1823 

879 

1461 

802 

1917 

1045 

938 

247 

1968 

1409 

27 

1365 

301 

447 

5843| 

11021 

1059 

777 

437 

521' 

1523 

916 

1080 

2304 


233 

163 

203 

34 

1740 

810 

24 

1130 

693 

153 

1597 

1008 

3903 

4267 

126 

28 

407 

805 

3414 

1938 

849 

896 

1175 

391 

2418 

883 

907 

558 

1115 

1300 

15 

1961 

755 

730 

6388 

1096 

764 

2005 

1579 

171 

545 

363 

917 

1906 


lit 


R. 347 
D. '7 
R. 256 
R. 6 
D. 353 
R. 265 
R. 312 
D. 680 
D. 18 
G. 367 
R, 451 
D. 202 
D. 290 
D. 1934 
R. 351 
D. 7 
R. 767 
R. 403 
D. 328 
R. 682 
R. 974 
D. 17 
R. 286 
R. 411 
D. 201 
R. 162 
R. 31 
D. 311 
R. 853 
R. 100 
G. 142 
D. 586! 
D. 454 
D. 283 
D. 545 
R. 6 
R. 295 
D. 1228 
D. 1142 
R. 350 
R. 978 
R. 563 
R. 163 
R. 398 


981 
109 

644 

86 

2755 

1186 

285 
1012 
1596 
1 1255 
3532 
1355 
5435 
3236 
1095 
42 
2033 
2266 
4845 
4723 
2601 
1739 
2651 
1607 
2874 
1714 
1610 

561 

2644 

2424 

71 

2700 

668 

697 
9981 
2558 
1813 
1859, 

5831 

836 
2135 
1019 
1855 
3560' 


442 

189 

257 

74 

3647 

1162 

28 

2145 

1774 

660 

2493 

1604 

5726 

6361 

596 

67 

894 

1785 

5660 

3198 

1735 

1514 

2348 

718 

4134 

1458 

1432 

1654 

2481 

2299 

174 

3908 

l-9«j 

1112 

12026 

2030 

1174 

3608 

54801 

394j 

985 

362 

1794 

2880 


R 539 


Ashland 


D. 80 
R 387 


Barron 


53 

2 

1015 

76 

'389 

589 
816 
118 
146 
614 
381 
283 


Bayfield 

Brown 


R. 12 

D 892 


Buffalo 


R 24 


Burnett ; 


K ''57 


Calumet 


D 1133 


Chippewa 

Clark 


D. 178 
R 595 


Columbia 


R 1039 


Crawford 

Dane 


D. 249 
D 291 


Dodge 


1 3125 


Door 


R 499 


Douglas 


D 25 


Dunn - 


4i'2 

597 

1249 

1037 

580 

215 

1021 

521 

296 

463 

51 

20 
524 
269 
169 

98 
746 

76 

1228 

1019 

157 

992 

17 
123 
408 

60 
728 
112 


R 1139 


Kau (^laire 


R 481 




D 815 


Grant 

Green 


R. 1525 
R 860 


Green Lake 


R. 225 




R. 303 


Jackson 


R. 789 


Jeffersou 


D 1260 


Juneau 


R 256 


Kenosha 

Kewaunee 


R. 178 
D 1093 


La Crosse 


R. 163 




R. 125 




D. 1(13 




D. 1208 


Marathon 


D. 1128 




D. 415 
D. 2045 




R. 528 




R. 639 




D. 1749 
D. 1897 




R 447 


Pierce 


R. 1152 




R. 050 


Portage 


R. 61 




R. 680 



GrBERXATOKiAL AND Pkksidextial Votes— 1877-1876— Co?ifm««d. 



COUNTIES— CondniKd. 




GOVERNOR. 
1877. 






PRESIDENT. 
1876. 




Smith. 


Mallory. 


Allis. 


U^. 


Hayes. 


Tilden. 


Maj. 


Richland 

Rock 

St. Croix 


1201 
3375 
15.58 
1826 

269 
1598 

195 
2483 
1678 
2904 

994 
2484 
1473 
1282 
2068 

247 

231 
320 
377 
219 

25 

16 

31 
2^9 
210 
620 
862 
150 

50 
432 
226 
771 
281 
712 
740 
349 
14b 
4816 
260 
115 

84 
172 
270 
724 

69 
245 
155 

87 

1052 

270 

55 
248 
252 
232 
210 

76 


729 

1620 

1489 

922 

605 

1737 

254 

731 

416 

1374 

2187 

2388 

990 

257 

2238 

196 

522 
361 
109 
197 

17 
5 
128 
294 
123 
459 
884 

85 

42 
333 
207 
605 
314 
671 
1057 
284 
311 
5027 
249 
146 
125 
167 
311 
954 
127 
405 
267 

61 
921 
239 

73 
440 
270 
687 

49 
170 


705 

781 

93 

574 

92 

750 

53 

176 

846 

160 

187 

276 

772 

377 

1887 

601 

201 

6 

240 

36 


R 
R. 
R. 
R. 
D. 
D. 

I 
R. 
R. 
D. 
R. 
R. 
R. 
D. 
G. 

D. 
D. 
R. 
R. 
R. 
G. 
D. 
D. 
R. 
R. 
D. 
G. 
G. 
R. 
R. 
R. 
1). 
R. 
D. 
R. 
D. 
D. 
R. 
G. 
D. 
R 


472 

1755 

70 

904 

336 

139 

69 

1452 

1262 

1630 

1993 

96 

483 

1025 

170 

354 

291 
41 

268 
22 
8 
81 
97 
65 
87 

161 
22 
45 
60 
99 
19 

166 
33 
41 

317 
61 

165 

211 
11 

230 

41 

5 

41 

230 
58 

160 

112 
26 

131 
31 
18 

192 
18 

445 

161 

130 


' 2038 
5755 
1776 
3395 

582 
3224 

240 
2360 
2764 
4212 
1.321 
3129 
2642 
2080 
5092 

658 

549 
357 
745 
456 
14 
64 


1691' R. 447 
2814: R. 2893 
1736 R. 39 


Sauk 

Shawano 


22011 R. 1194 
873l I) 291 


Sheboygan 


36331 D 409 


Faylor 


246; D. 6 
790 1? 1570 


Vernon 

Walworth 

Washington 


1117 
1970 
3047 
3336 
1592 

548 
4426 

746 

911 
465 
627 
312 
31 
93 


R. 1647 
R. 2242 
D 17-26 


Waukesha 

Waupaca 


D. 206 
R. 1050 
R. 1532 


Winnebago 

Wood 

CITIES. 


R. 666 
D. 87 

D. 362 




D. 108 


Beloit 


R 118 


Berlin 


R. 144 
D. 17 


Dentralia 


97 

33 

143 

3 

250 

520 

195 

110 

181 

3 

31 

42 

351 

13 

17 

67 

1050 

21 

376 

118 

24 


D 29 






Chippewa Falls 


475 
254 

1205 

1382 
669 
121 
696 
250 

1036 
514 

1085 
834 
660 
2S1 

8218 
348 
511 
206 
222 
399 

1496 


572 

212 

1013 

1542 


D. 97 
R. 42 

R. 189 




n 1(i0 




2881 K. 81 




191' D. 70 


Green Bay 


647 R. 49 




224l R- 2fi 


Janesville 


848 

544 

1549 

1252 


R. 188 
D. 30 
D. 464 




D. 418 




612i R. 148 


Milwaukee 


344 D. 63 
9t)2oi D. 1407 




324| R. 24 




385 R. 126 




208' D. 2 




238 D. IB 




6i T) 


506 
1910 


D. 107 


Ishkosh 


375 

28 

I 

10 

82 

33 

13 

68 

145 

164 

20 

300 


D. 
D. 
D. 
D. 
R. 
R. 
R. 
D. 
D. 
D 
U. 
R. 
G. 


D. 414 






Portage 


366 
215 
143 
1672 
397 
87 
575 
423 
372 
280 
210 


532 


T). 166 


Prairie dii Chien 


3771 D. 162 


Prescott 

Racine 


108' R. 35 
13241 R. 348 


Ripon 


333 

83 


R. 64 
R. 4 


Shebovffan 


D. 298 




6631 D. 140 


Watertown 


129") D. 923 




62; R. 228 


Wausau 


695' D. 385 


18 







POPULATION OF THE TNITED STATES. 



Area in 
STAJTESAsn siiuarc 
Tkhritokiks. Miles. 



States. 

AIa1)aiiia 

Ai-l{aiisas 

raliforiiia 

(Joiiiiecticut 

Delaware 

Florida 

Ocoiula 

Illinois 

Indiana 

Iowa 

Kansas 

Kentucky 

Louisiana 

flialne 

Maryland 

Massachusetts... 

MIctiigan* 

Minnesota 

^lississinpi 

Missouri.. 

Nebraska 

Nevada 

New Ham]>sliirc. 

New Jersey 

New York 

North Carolina.. 

Ohio 

Oregon 



Population 



1870. 



996,9!)2 
198 484,4?1 
981 560.a47 
«74 5:J7,454 
lao 1>,5.015 
liBK 187.748 
00011, 1K1.109 
110I2..',:!<).891 
WIS) l.liS0.(l:i7 
"' 1.1!(1.7!JJ 1.350.544 
HI. 1.399 528,349 
1.3'Jl.Oll 
7Jti.915 857.039 
MK.yiS 
780.894 
1.457.3.T1 
1.184,0.59 
439.70(1 
8-.;7.922 
1.721.295 
123.993! 
42.491 
318.300! 
906.0961 1.02(i.. '.02 1 



Miles 
B.R. 

1875. 1872. 



l.«.".1.912 1 

1,334.031 2, 

5aS.42<l 1, 



246.280 
52.540 



4.382.759i4.' 

1.071.361 

2,665,260 

90,9231 



■05.208 



671 

25 

013 

820 
227 
466 
108 
904 
529 
160 
760 
123 
539 
871 
820 
606 
,235 
,612 
990 
,58U 
828 
593 
790 
,265 
470 
190 
740 
1d9 



States and 
Tbbritoriks. 



Area In . 
siiuare 
Miles. 1 



PriPtlLATInN. 



1870. 



Stales. 
Pennsylvania.. 
Kliode Island. 
S..uth Carolina.... 29.385 

Telinessce 45,600 

Tex.is 8.^7.504 

Vermont ' 10.212 



A'irginia., 
AVest Virginia.. 
Wisconsin 



7'o(al States. 



Territories. 

Arizona 

Colorado 

Dakota 

ViTit. ot Coluinbia. 

I.laho 

Montana 

New Mexico 

Utah 

AVashliiRton 

Wyjiuiiig 



46.000 3,521,791 

1,306' 217,353! 

705.606 

l,258.520l 

818.579 

330.551 

1,225.163 

442.014 

1.054.670 



258.239 
925,145 



.Miles 
K. R. 
1872. 



40,904 
23.0110 
53,924 



1,950,171 38.113,253 



* Last Census of Michigan taken in 1874. 



Total Territories. 



Aggregate of U. S. 



113.916 
104,5001 
147,490 

60 
90,932 
143.776 
121.201 
80.056 
69.944! 
93.1071 



1.236,729 



9.658 
39.8641 
14.181 
131.700 
14.999 
20.595 
91.874 
8ti.786, 
23.955 

9.118 



5,113 
136 

1.201 

1,520 
B65 
875 

1,490 
485 

1.725 



59,587 



392 



498 



965,032, 4.12,730) , 1.265 



2,915.20338,555,9831 1 60.852 



• Included in the Kallrcad Mileage of Marylard. 



PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD ; 
Population and Area. 



Population. 



Date of 
Census. 



Area Itt Inhabitants 
Square to Square 
Miles. Mile. 



population. 



China 

British Kmpire 

Russia 

United States with Alaska.... 

l'"rance 

Austria and Hungary 

.lapan 

(ireat Britain and Ireland 

German Empire 

Italy 

.Spain 

ISrazll 

Turkey 

Mexico 

.Sweden and Norway 

Persia 

Belgium 

Bavaria 

Portugal 

Holland 

^ ew (irenada 

Chill 

8w It/erlatid 

Peru 

Bolivia 

Argentine Uepublic 

Wurlemliurg 

l>i>ii mark 

\' f iii-zuela 

ll.ul.ii 

ti ret-ce 

(inatemala 

Ecuador 

P;iraguay 

Hesse 

Liberia 

San Salvador 

Hayli 

Nicaragua 

Urugu.iy 

Honduras 

San Domingo 

I'osta Rica 

Hawaii 



446, 
326, 
81. 
38. 
36. 
35. 
34. 
31, 
29, 
27 
16! 
10, 
16, 
9, 

a. 

5, 
5, 
4. 
8, 
3. 
3, 
2, 
2, 
2. 
2, 
1. 
1 
1, 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 



500.000 
817.108 
925.400 
925.600 
469 800 
904.400 
785.300 
,817.100 
906.092 
439.921 
,642.000 
OOO.OOO 
163.000 
,17.3.000 
921.. 500 
OOO.IHIO 
,021.300 
,861,400 
,995.200 
,688..300 
OOO.OOO 
,000.000 
,669.100 
,500.000 
,000,0110 
,812.000 
.818.500 
,784.700 
,500.000 
.461.400 
.457.900 
180,000 
300.000 
000.000 
823.138 
718.000 
600.000 
572.000 
3.'>0.000 
300.000 
350,000 
136,000 
165.000 
62.950 



1871 
1871 
1871 
1870 
1866 
1869 
1871 
1871 
1871 
1871 
1867 



1869 
1870 
1870 
1869 
1871 
1868 
1870 
1870 
18119 
1870 



1871 


1869 
1871 
1870 


1871 
1870 
1871 


1871 


1871 
1871 


1871 
1871 
1871 


1870 



3.741.846 

4.677.432 

8.003.778 

2,603,884 

204,091 

240.348 

149.399 

121.315 

160.207 

118,847 

195 775 

3,253.029 

672.621 

761.526 

292.871 

635.964 

11.373 1 

29.292 i 

34.494 

12.680 

357,157 

132.616 

15.99* 

471.838 

497.321 

871.848 

7.533 

14.753 

368.238 

.5.912 

19.353 

40.879 

218.928 

63.787 

2,969 

9,576 

7.335 

10.205 

58.171 

66.722 I 

17.092 

17.827 , 

21. .505 ' 

7.633 



119.3 

48.6 

10.2 

7.78 

178.7 

149.4 

232.8 

262.3 

187. 

230.9 

85. 

3.07 
24.4 



20. 
7.8 
441.5 
165.9 
115.8 
290.9 
8.4 
15.1 
186.9 
5.3 
4. 
2.1 
241.4 
120.9 
4.2 
247. 
7.5.3 
28.9 
5.9 
15.6 
277. 
74.9 
81.8 
56. 
6. 
6.5 
7.4 
7.6 
7.7 
80. 



Pekin 

London 

St. Peler::;>urg., 

Washington 

Paris 

Vienna 

Yeddo 

London 

Itcriiu 

Rome 

Madrid 

Rio .lanriro 

Constantinople 

.Mexico 

Stockliolm 

Teheran 

Brussels 

.Munich 

Lisbon 

Hague 

itogota 

Santiago 

Heme 

Lima 

Ctiuqulsaca. .. . 
Buenos Ayres. . 

Stuttgart 

Copenhagen 

Caraccas 

Carisruiie 

.\thens 

iiiiatemala 

ijuito 

.Vsuiiclon 

Darmstadt 

.Monrovia 

sal Salvador... 
Port an Prince 

.Managua 

.Monte Video — 

comayagua 

San Domingo... 

San Jose 

Honolulu 



1.648.800 

3,251.800 

667,000 

109,199 

1,825.300 

833,900 

1,.') 54,900 

3,251,800 

825,400 

244,484 

332.000 

420.000 

1.075. OOO 

210.300 

136.900 

120.000 

314.100 

169.500 

224,063 

90,100 

45,000 

11.5,400 

36.000 

160.100 

25.000 

177.800 

91.600 

162,042 

47.000 

36.600 

43.400 

40.000 

70.000 

48.00<l 

30.000 

3.000 

1.5.000 

20.000 

10.000 

44.500 

12.000 

20.000 

2.000 

7.H33 





WATERTOWN 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



TOPOGRAPHY. 

When Southeastern Wisconsin first emerged from the ocean, it doubtless presented an essen- 
tially plane surface, having a slight inclination to the east and southeast. The inequalities which 
it now presents are due to subsequent changes, the results of three classes of agents, acting at 
different times and different conditions. 

1. During the long ages between the emergence of the land and the drift period, the 
streams were cutting their beds deeper and deeper into the rock, and rendering the former level 
surface more and more irregular. The softer rocks were more readily eroded than the harder 
ones, and this helped to increase the unevenness. There was a tendency of the sti'eams, so far 
as the slope favored, to follow the less resisting belts of soft rock, and, as these run in a north- 
erly and southerly course in this region, the main streams had that direction. The little streams 
gathered into the larger ones in a manner not unlike that by which the branches of a tree are 
united into the trunk. The unevenness of surface produced by erosion of this nature possesses a 
certain kind of system and symmetry readily recognizable. As this erosion occupied the time 
preceding the glacial period, we may conveniently designate the features produced by it, pre- 
glacial. We have the best example of this kind of surface conformation in the lead region, over 
which the drift forces did not act, and which has not been resubmerged, so that we have the 
results of this class of action pure and simple. As we proceed eastward into the region of drift 
action in the central part of the State, these features are modified more and more by the results 
of glacial action, until in Eastern Wisconsin they become wholly obscured, except in their 
granilcr outlines. Jefterson County lies midway between the extremes. 

2. The modifications of the surface constituting this first class of topographical features 
were produced by running water ; those of the second class, which were formed next in order of 
time, were caused by ice, in the form of glaciers, it is confidently believed, and by the agencies 
brought into action through their meltintr. The work of the ice was twofold: first, in the level- 
ing of the surface, by planing down the hills and filling up the valleys ; and second, in the cre- 
ation of a new uneven surf^ice, by heaping up in an irregular and promiscuous manner the clay, 
sand, gravel and bowlders it had formed, thus giving the surface a new aspect. Among the 
features produced by the action of the ice are parallel ridges, sometimes miles in length, having 
the same direction as the ice movement, hills of rounded flowing contour, sometimes having a 
linear arrangement in the direction of glacial progress, mounds and hummocks of drift promis- 
cuously arranged on an otherwise plane surface, oval domes of rock (roches moutonees), sharp 
gravel ridges, often having a tortuous serpentine course, transverse to the drift movement, 
peculiar depression known as " kettles,'' and half-submerged rock gorges, known as " fiords," 
all of which combine to form a peculiar and distinctive surface contour. The melting of the 
ice mass gave rise to swollen lakes and flooded rivers, which eroded at some points and 



310 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

filled up at others, and so still farther modified the face of the country. All these peci 
liarities, being the result, directly or indirectly, of the ice action, may be denominated glaci; 
features. 

3. Subsequent to the glacial period, the wearing action of the streams was resumed, b 
under somewhat new conditions, and carved out a new surface contour, the features of whic 
may be termed post-glacial. 

To the agencies, ice and water, assisted slightly by winds, the topographical peculiariti 
of the country are chiefly due. There is no evidence of violent eruptions, upheavals or ou 
bursts. There was, indeed, the gradual elevation and depression of the surface, and probabl 
some little flexure of the crust ; but the region has been free from violent agitation, and owi 
none of its salient topographical features to such causes. 

Having thus briefly considered the general methods by which the present aspect of tl 
county was produced, we may now more satisfactorily examine its special features. 

No part of Wisconsin can properly be said to be mountainous, nor does it, over ar 
considerable area, sink to a dead level. It presents the golden mean in a gently undulatin 
diversified surface, readily traversible in all directions by the various highways of cor 
munication. 

Setting aside minor details, the State presents two general slopes — a short, abrupt decli 
ity northward to Lake Superior, and a long, gentler incline southward. Through tl 
center of this southward slope there extends a moderate north and south elevation, or an 
— a low anticlinal axis — giving a southeasterly and southwesterly inclination to the strata ( 
either side. 

The general inclination of the surface of the country is southward. The valley of tl 
Rock River (including that of Crawfish River), runs southerly and southwesterly through tl 
county, and at the point where it is covered by Lake Koshkonong, is only about one hundn 
and eighty feet above the surface of Lake ^lichigan. The surface on either side of this valh 
slopes toward it. 

ELEVATIONS. 

Having disposed of the salient features of the topography of the Rock River Valley, attentic 
is naturally directed to its minor characteristics. A consideration of these will be confined, in th 
connection, to Jefferson County. Among the most instructive are the elevations of difFerei 
points. The figures indicate the altitude in feet above Lake Michigan. By adding 589 feet 
those of any given point, the result will be the elevation above the ocean : 

Township 7 north. Range IJf. east (Aztalan). — Section 7, southwest quarter, 251 feet ; Se 
tion 17, village, 276 feet ; Section 18, northeast quarter, 297 feet ; Section 18, marsh, 2£ 
feet ; Section 20, southeast quarter, river-bank, 226 feet ; Section 20, southeast quarter, wat( 
level, 210 feet. 

Township 5 north, Ranffe 15 east {Cold Spring). — Three-quarters of a mile south 
Hebron, 296 feet ; Bark River marsh, 223 feet ; Cold Spring Village, 226 feet ; Cold Sprii 
mill-pond. 212 feet. 

Totvnship 7 north, Ranqe 16 east ( Concord). — Concord Village, 287 feet ; Section 3 
324 feet. 

Township 7 north. Range 15 east {Farmington). — Johnson's Creek Station, 193 feet ; Se 
tion 28, northeast quarter, 260 feet. 

Township 6 north. Range 15 east {Hebron): — Cushman's mill-pond, 244 feet. 

Toivnship 6 north. Range H east (Jefferson). — Jeff"erson Station, 221 feet ; Rock River, i 
Jefi"erson, 206 feet; mouth of Crawfish River, 200 feet; Section 9, southeast quarter, strean 
242 feet ; Section 12, northeast quarter, hill, 365 feet ; Section 15, near center west hal 
stream, 227 feet ; Section 17, northeast quarter, 269 feet ; Section 17, northwest quarte: 
quarry, 260 feet ; Section 18, center west half, hill, 442 feet ; Section 19, northwest corne 
315 feet. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 311 

Township 5 north. Range IJp east {Koshkonong). — Fort Atkinson Station, 249 feet ; marsh 
below Fort Atkinson, 200 feet ; Lake Koshkonong, 184 feet ; Kump's Quarry, 267 feet ; Sec- 
tion 23, center west half, 257 feet; Section 27, southwest quarter, 252 feet; Section 31, north- 
east quarter, quarry, 248 feet; Section 34, northeast quarter, 298 feet; Section 32, center 
north half, valley, 252 feet. 

Tou>nship7noriJi, Range 13 east [Lake Mills). — Section 1, west half, 205 feet; Section 3, 
northeast quarter, 274 feet ; Section 3, near center northwest quarter, 327 feet ; Section 3, 
middle west line northwest quarter, 311 feet; Section 3, southwest corner, 291 feet ; Section 4, 
center northwest quarter, 330 feet ; Section 4, flat, 315 feet ; Section 5, northeast (juarter, hill, 
370 feet; Section 6, southwest quarter, 398 feet; Section 8, middle south line, 373 feet; 
Koshkonong Creek, at Kroughvilie, 257 feet; Section 10, middle west line, 315 feet; Lake 
Mills Village, 260 feet ; Lake Mills Village, northwest part, 277 feet ; Kock Lake, 250 feet ; 
Section 18, middle south line, 345 feet; Section 19, southwest quarter, creek, 288 feet; Sec- 
tion 28, middle south line, southeast quarter, 278 feet; Section 31, southwest qiarter, creek, 
272 feet ; Section 33, northeast corner, 263 feet. 

Township S north, Range 14 east [Milford). — Hubbleton Station, 211 feet; Section 21, 
middle north line, 260 feet ; Section 24, northeast corner, 232 feet; Section 24, middle south line, 
222 feet ; Section 33, northeast quarter, quarry, 284 feet; Section 30, center north half, 295 feet. 

Tou'nship 7 north. Range 14- east [Milford, continued). — Section 6, southeast quarter, 
outlet of lake, 228 feet ; Section 6, soutlicast quarter, outcrop, 252 feet. 

Township 6 nortJi, Range 13 east {Oakland). — Lake Ripley, 239 feet; Red Cedar 
Lake, 233 feet; Section 4, southwest quarter, 266 feet; Section 5, south half, 280 feet; Sec- 
tion 7, west line northwest quarter, 271 feet ; Section 13, middle west line northwest quarter, 
343 feet ; Section 16, southeast corner, 330 feet ; Section 18, southeast quarter of southeast 
quarter, 246 feet; Section 19, near northwest corner, 264 feet; Section 19, center southeast 
quarter, 251 feet; Section 19, southwest quarter, 234 feet; Section 25, near northwest corner, 
363 leet ; Section 25, west line northwest quarter, 270 feet ; Section 28, middle east line, 253 
feet ; Section 28, near middle south line, 227 feet ; Section 30, southwest quarter, 257 feet ; 
Section 30, near center southwest quarter, 253 feet : Section 31, southwest quarter, 214 feet ; 
Section 31, south line southwest quarter, 210 feet. 

Totvnship 5 north, Range 16 east (Palmyra). — Palmyra Station, 260 feet; Section 20, 
east half, 266 feet ; Section 20, northwest quarter, 278 feet ; Section 22, southeast quarter, 290 
feet ; Section 23, northeast quarter, 271 feet ; Section 28, north line, 241 feet ; Section 29, 
southeast quarter, 220 feet; Section 31, center, 221 feet; Section 32, west line, 221 feet. 

Township 5 north, Range 13 east (Sumner). — Lake Koshkonong, 184 feet ; Section 7, 
center south half, creek, 188 feet; Section 18, near center, 228 feet. 

Township 8 north, Range 13 east (Waterloo). — Waterloo Station, 241 feet; Section 3, 
southwest quarter, 237 feet ; Section 5, northwest quarter, 340 feet ; Section 6, northeast 
corner, 341 feet ; Section 9, near middle north line, 222 feet ; Section 9, middle north line, R, 
R., 217 feet; Section 9, creek, 209 feet; Section 11, near center southwest quarter, 211 feet; 
Section 16, northwest quarter, marsh, 275 feet; Section 17, center west half, hill, 329 feet;. 
Section 17, center, marsh, 218 feet; Section 18, northwest corner, 297 feet; Section 19, south- 
east corner, 279 feet ; Section 23, center south half, hill, 401 feet ; Section 24, Crawfish 
Marsh, 248 feet ; Section 25, northeast quarter, 300 feet ; Section 25. near center east half,, 
260 feet; Section 27, southeast quarter, 289 feet ; Section 29, near center, creek, 220 feet ;. 
Section 29, east half, 245 feet; Section 30, middle north line northeast quarter, 320 feet; Sec- 
tion 31, northwest corner, 326 feet; Section 31, southwest quarter of southwest quarter, 350 
feet ; Section 32, near center south half, 310 feet ; Section 32, middle east line southeast 
quarter, 322 feet ; Section 35, southeast quarter, 299 feet ; Section 35, middle east line, hilL 
326 feet ; Section 36, center, 266 feet. 

Township S north, Range 15 east ( Watertown). — Watertown Junction, 243 feet ; Section 
21, middle east line southeast quarter, 345 feet. 



312 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUXTY. 

r 
WATER-POWER OF ROCK RIVER. 

The entire area drained by Rock River and its tributaries, in Wisconsin, is three thousand 
six hundred and thirty-five square miles. From the Table of Rainfall, at Milwaukee, given in 
Dr. Lapham's report (Geol. of Wis., Vol. II), it appears that the average rainfall for the thirty 
years previous, was 30.27 inches, which may be assumed as at least approximately correct for 
the Rock River Valley. The average fall for some portions of Wisconsin is given in Gen. 
Humphrey's work on the hydraulics of the Mississippi, at thirty-five inches. But reckoning at 
thirty inches, the rainfall upon the drainage area under consideration, would be 253,3-4-4,960,000 
cubic feet. Now, it is asserted by various authorities, based on experience, that one-half the 
rainfall can be utilized. This vtould give 126,672,480,000 cubic feet per annum. Mr. Rugar 
says: " From personal observation, and after consulting many authorities as to rainfall, springs, 
evaporation, filtration, etc., I estimate that the total annual quantity of water passing in Rock 
River at the State line, including Turtle Creek, is 98,437,536,000 cubic feet," which may be 
regarded as a safe estimate. Tlie daily supply by this estimate would be 269,691,879 cubic feet. 
We need next to ascertain what is the average descent of this volume. Some of it falls over six 
hundred feet, wiiile other portions practically no distance. The average elevation of the rim of 
the basin above the point where the river leaves the State, is about two hundred and fifty feet, 
its average distance about fifty miles, showing an average fall of about five feet per mile. But 
this is less to the point than the following: 

The average elevation of fifteen powers, the first of importance on their respective branches, 
is about one hundred and fifty-five feet above the surface of the river where it leaves the State, 
at Beloit. The average fall from these powers to the State line is a little less than three feet 
per mile. 

With these general statements, we will set aside the tributaries, several of which are 
important, and consider more accurately the main stream between Horicon and Beloit. The 
collecting area above Horicon is 436 square miles, upon which the annual rainfall, reckoned at 
30 inches, would be 30,387,456,000 cubic feet. Allowing one-half for evaporation, filtration 
and other sources of loss, the theoretical discharge at the outlet of Horicon Marsh would be 
15,193,728,000 cubic feet. Reckoned at the lowest rainfall in the last thirty years, the amount 
would_be 10,114,749,120 cubic feet. Col. Worrall gives, as the result of a careful measurement 
of the flow at a time when the volume was estimated to be only three-fourths of the average, a 
supply of 27,651 cubic feet per minute, or 14,533,365,600 cubic feet per annum, from which it 
would seem that the calculated amount is not far from the truth. From the foregoing data, 
estimating the accession from tributaries, it is thought to be safe to consider the average flow 
between Horicon and Beloit, as, in round numbers, 50,000,000,000 cubic feet per annum. The 
fall from Horicon to the State line is 127 feet. An estimate of the theoretical power generated 
by the main river shows it to be upward of 20,000 horse power. Of the 127 feet fall, less than 
60 feet are utilized, according to the best information at command. The unused portion is 
mainly between Horicon and Watertown. and between Janesville and Beloit. A portion of this 
latter may readily be made available at Beloit by means of a race leading from a dam situated 
above the slack water of the present one. Another power near the State line, can also be 
utilized to the profit of this place. 

SPRINGS. 

Jefferson County, in common with other portions of Eastern Wisconsin, has two general 
systems of springs — those that originate in the drift deposits, and those that flow from the rock. 
The springs of each group occupy several different horizons, which it will be interesting to notice 
briefly, a,s the subject is one of great importance, it having been abundantly demonstrated that 
some of the most terrible diseases which afllict mankind are directly attributable to impure water. 
If unaided nature has provided any means of escape from this prolific source of danger, it is 
certain to be found in her deep-seated springs. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 313 

There are several reasons why spring-water is more likely to be pure than that of wells. 
On the average, it comes from greater depth, and has passed through a greater extent of the 
' deeper strata, which are comparatively free from organic impurities, than has the water of wells, 
which is usually drawn from the surface of the water-level beneath the location of the w^ells. 
Artesian fountains are not here taken into account. The water of wells is usually stagnant, 
while that of springs is active — is " living water." There are some exceptions to the first part 
of this statement. Occasionally a well is sunk upon an active, flowing, underground stream, in 
which case the superior character of the water will usually be very marked. Spring-water 
is not liable to so many sources of contamination, and accidental impurities are more readily 
discharged. 

The lowest noteworthy horizon from which springs arise is the vicinity of the junction of 
the Potsdam sandstone and the Lower Magnesian limestone. The water from this source usually 
has a temperature of forty-eight to fifty degrees, and is clear and comparatively free from organic 
impurities, but contains a small percentage of the carbonate of lime and magnesia, and, in some 
cases, a very small percentage of iron, with usually some silica, alumina and chloride of sodium. 
But the combined amount of these is small, and the water is " soit," and very pleasant to the 
taste. A small amount of free carbonic acid is usually present, which enhances the grateful 
efl'ect of the water upon the palate and stomach. There are no springs from this horizon in the 
county, but the water-bearing bed may be reached by wells. 

Above this horizon, springs occur but rarely till we reach the junction of the St. Peter's 
sandstone with the Trenton limestone. Some shaly, impervious layers mark this division, while 
the limestone above is fissured and the sandstone below is porous. It hence follows that the 
springs may arise either above or below the impervious stratum, according to circumstances. 
(1) Water descending from above may be caught and carried out where the strata are cut 
across to the proper depth : and (2) water that gained access to the sandstone at some distant 
and more elevated point may rise from below at places where the confining stratum is removed. 
So that it is proper to include in this group some that issue from ledges somewhere above or below 
the junction of the formations. These springs are similar in general character to the last, but 
usually contain a more considerable percentage of the several mineral ingredients, at least that 
portion of them that are derived from the limestone, which still retains traces of many of the 
salts that we have reason to suppose were incorparated with it when it was formed beneath the 
ancient ocean. To this class belong most of the springs that issue from the rock in the western 
half of the county. 

The foregoing are all derived from rocks that were laid down under the ancient Silurian 
ocean, rocks whose ages are to be reckoned by myriads of years, and from which there has at 
least been a liberal allowance of time for the removal of whatever soluble matter may have been 
originally incorporated in them ; and yet, we find in all that have been analyzed varying (juan- 
tities of the oceanic salts. 

The remainder issue from loose material of much more recent origin, formed by the agency 
of ice and fresh water, so far as the evidence goes ; and yet, as this material was derived from 
the preceding oceanic formations in great part, the same ingredients may and do occur in the 
water. They are, as a class, more superficial than the preceding, and more liable to contamina- 
tion from surface impurities, and, for a like reason, their temperature is often less constant and 
their flow less regular. To this class belong those springs that issue from the drift. 

ARTESIAN WELLS. 

The term artesian is frequently applied to deep wells, without regard to whether the water 
flows at the surface or not ; but it will here be applied to flowing wells, without regard to depth. 
Flowing wells depend upon these requisite conditions: There should be an impervious stratum 
to prevent the escape of the water below ; a previous water-bearing stratum upon this, to furnish 
the flow of water ; a second impervious layer upon this, to prevent the escape of water above, it 



314 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

being under pressure from the fountain-head. These must dip, and there must be no adequate 
outlet for the water at a lower level than the well. There must also be a sufficient collecting 
area or reservoir in connection with the porous stratum, and it must have sufficient elevation to 
act as a fountain-head. 

Wells of this description in Eastern Wisconsin are divided into six different classes: (1) 
those that derive their flow entirely from the drift ; (2) those that derive their flow from the 
junction of the drift with the indurateil rocks below ; (o) tliose that originate in the Niagara 
limestone; (4) those that arise from the Galena and Trenton limestones; (5) those from the St. 
Peters sandstone ; and (U) those from the primordial zone. To the fourth and fifth classes belong 
the Watertown fountains ; the one whicii includes the greater number rising from Trenton lime- 
stone ; the other embracing the deeper wells from the St. Peters sandstone. The first class vary 
in depth from 18 to 100 feet ; the second, from UtO to 215 feet. One of the most interesting 
of the latter class is located near the shops of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, to 
whom it belongs. The following is the record of this well : 

Depth of soil 50 feet 

Depth of limestone HI feet 

Depth of sandstone 108 feet 

Total 215 feet 

Water began to flow when a depth of 107 feet was reached, and could be raised ten feet 
above the surface. Two additional records will sufficiently illustrate this (fifth) class: 

Drift ._. 10 feet 15 feet 

Limestone !'3 feet 10.3 feet 

Sandstone — feet 23 feet 

Total 103 feet 141 feet 

If we assume that the flow of the railway well was from the surface of the St. Peters sand- 
stone, the upper face of the sandstone will be 107 feet, 103 and 118 feet, respectively, below the 
surface at the three wells, facts which may be of service in sinking others. The first one (that 
belonging to the railway company) is 243 feet above Lake Michigan ; hence, its bottom is 28 
feet below the lake level. 

The source of supply for both classes (fourth and fifth as previously mentioned) of these 
wells seem to lie to the west of north, where, both near and distant, occur many depressions 
entrapped between limestone and drift ridges, giving abundant superficial reservoirs, while in 
this direction also may be found the out-cropping edge of the sandstone. This sandstone like- 
wise comes to the surface to the west of Watertown, but the low elevation in that region seems 
to indicate that the flow is not from that quarter. The western edge of the sandstone where it 
comes to the surface, follows the east bank of the Crawfish River, from Lowell to Aztalan, and 
at no point between those places has it an elevation much greater than the railroad junction at 
Watertown. It is not to be expected then that fountains can be obtained from the St. Peters 
sandstone, which will flow at a much greater elevation than that tdready attained, namely, 253 
feet above Lake Michigan. By penetrating the Potsdam sandstone there is a reasonable proba- 
bility that a flow competent to rise to a iiigher elevation could be obtained. The following is an 
analysis of the water of one of these fountains : Oraim in i gal. 

Bicarbonate of soda 1.838 

Hicarbonate of magnesia 5.818 

Bicarbonate of lime 12.0y4 

Bicarbonate of iron 0.100 

Sulphate of polassa O.i 54 

Silica 0.305 

Organic matter 0.346 

Total 20.615 

While these facts are still in mind, it will be convenient to speak of the Palmyra " oil well." 
Although a failure as a source of oil, this well has proved of some value in demonstrating the 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 315 

possibility of Artesian wells in that and similar situations. It was begun about 250 feet above 
Lake Michigan and 828 feet above the sea. The following is its record : 

40 feet Drift — sti'uck limestone. , feet Hard sandstoue, 3 feet. 

Gray sandstone. 
Soft sandstone. 
Hard sandstone. 
Soft sandstone. 
Red sandstone. 
Gray sandstone. 
Red sandstone. 

Drab or cream-colored sandstone. 
Soapstone or sliale. 
Gray sandstone to bottom of well. 
Bottom of well, being .500 feet below Lake 
Michigan, 78 above the sea. 



176 ' 


Ct Willi, Stl UUl^ lllU^iSlUU^. 

' Limestone, supposed to be "blue limestone." 


480 


229 ' 


' Water. 


482 


235 ' 


' Slate and sand 


489 


255 ' 


' " Good show of oil" (!). 


507 


257 ' 


' '■ Big show of oil (! !). Struck sand rock. 


587 


263 ' 


' Great flow of water. 


600 


283 ' 


' Metal 2 inches (iron ore?). 


615 


350 ' 


' Supposed lower magnesian limestone. Cal- 


660 




ciferous sand rock. 


683 


412 ■ 


' White sandstone. 


687 


421 ' 


' Gray sandstone. 


750 


455 ' 


' Red sandstone. 




461 ■ 


' Black sandstone. 





93 feet St. Peters sandstone. 
62 " Lower magnesian limestone. 
338 " Potsdam sandstone. 



These may be distributed as follows : 

46 feet Drift. 
130 " Galena limestone. 
81 " Trenton limestone. 

l^he flotv of this well is derived from the St. Peters sandstone. It cannot have its source 
in that formation directly to the West, since the outcrop is lower than the surface of the well. 
The fountain-head is probably in the same region as that of the Watertown wells of its class. 

There are three extensive areas over which there is a reasonable presumption that fountains 
may be obtained : (1) A belt adjoining Lake Michigan ; (2) Green Bay Valley, from Fond du 
Lac northward ; and, (8) the Vslley of Rock River. In the last-mentioned valley an eleva- 
tion of 250 feet must be taken as the upper limit of fivorable chances. The St. Peters sand- 
stone is available for only a portion of the area that falls below that altitude, since, in some parts 
of it, this formation is deeply eroded by the streams and its fountain-forming possibilities des- 
troyed. Success in these portions will be chiefly dependent on the Potsdam sandstone. As the 
majority of the deep-seated wells of Eastern Wisconsin derive their flow from the St. Peters 
sandstone, it is important to know at what elevation the upper face of that formation outcrops. 
The following list will supply the requisite data for Jefferson County : Lake Mills, Section 3, 
northwest quarter, 31'J feet; Section 4, northwest quarter, 330 feet. Milford, Section 7, south- 
west quarter, 251 feet ; Section 33, northeast quarter (estimated) 257 feet. Oakland, Section 
18, southeast quarter, 246 feet ; Section 16, northwest corner, 264 feet ; Section 28, middle east 
line (estimated) 233 feet ; Section 30, northwest quarter, 253 feet. Sumner, Section 18 (esti- 
mated) 202 feet; Waterloo, Section 31, county line (estimated) 323 feet ; Section 35, south- 
east quarter (estimated), 277 feet. 

GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS. 

The northern part of the State is occupied by the oldest formations that are definitely 
known to geologists by observation, though theoretically there are older ones. These dip down 
'beneath the sandstones and limestones that constitute the upper formations in the southern part 
of the State. They pass beneath Jefferson County at a tlepth of more than a thousand feet, 
and may be looked upon as forming the great rock floor upon wliich the later formations repose. 
There lies upon this floor first a great bed of sandstone, to which the name Potsdam has been 
given. The thickness of this is somewhat irregular, but is sometimes nearly, or quite one thou- 
sand feet. It does not appear at the surface anywhere in the county, but was penetrated by 
the Palmyra "oil well." Upon this sandstone, there lies the Lower Magnesian limestone. 
This is likewise irregular in thickness, varying in Eastern Wisconsin from about sixty feet to 
one hundred and fifty feet, while in the western part of the State it is sometimes two hundred 
and fifty feet thick. The most southerly point in Eastern Wisconsin at which the Lower Mag- 
nesian limestone appears is at Waterloo. Along the stream below the lower bridge, at the 



816 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

village, a low ledge presents its rough, weathered face to view. It consists of a coarse, cherty, 
buff, silicious dolomite, in medium beds of rougli, uneven texture, owing in part to the irreg- 
ular cavities and granular porous spots, and in part to the presence of nodules of chert. The 
inequality of structure is exaggerated by the effects of long weathering, giving the surface a 
very ragged aspect. The exterior of the chert is usually white and rather soft, while the interior 
is dark or reddish, hard, translucent and flint-like. The outcrop represents the upper portion 
of the formation. 

ST. PETERS SANDSTONE. 

Upon the Lower Magnesian limestone, there rests the St. Peters sandstone, which is also 
uneven in thickness, the average being, perhaps, seventy-five to one hundred feet. In this sand- 
stone, in the town of Waterloo, occur organic remains. It there has sufficient compactness to 
serve as a building-stone, but usually it is too soft. The latter fact, however, permits its exten- 
sive use as sand for mortar and similar purposes. At most localities, it can be dug with pick 
and shovel — the mere handling being sufficient to reduce it to safid. On account of its clear- 
ness, it is much superior to most drift sand. 

TRENTON LIMESTONE. 

Upon the St. Peters sandstone, there lies the Trenton limestone. It has been divided by 
the State Geologist into four subdivisions, These are the Lower Buff, the Lower Blue, the 
Upper Buff and the Upper Blue beds. All of these beds are more or less buff near the sur- 
face, so that the color is not a wholly reliable guide. Their thickness is as follows : Upper Blue 
beds, 15 feet ; Upper Buff beds, 55 feet ; Lower Blue beds, 25 feet, and Lower Buff beds, 
same thickness. 

At the lower quarry, belonging to Mr. Krump, near Fort Atkinson, the upper portion of 
this formation (Trenton) is shown. About two miles below Jefferson, on the west side of Rock 
River, a little stream has cut down to dark mottled, fine grained, rather thick beds tliat are 
capable of receiving an excellent polish. Their lithological affinites are with the upper half of 
the formation. Near Aztalan are several quarries showing the junction of the Lower Buff layers 
and those above. The surface of the rock is beautifully polished and striated by glacial action. 
On the north side of Red Cedar Lake, in the town of Oakland, and in the vicinity on the west, 
the lower beds are displayed, showing a somewhat less firm rock than usual. The most inter- 
esting exposure of the Trenton limestone, in the town of Waterloo, is at the quarry of David 
Crump, in Section 35. The lower four feet are of thick bedded, very serviceable rock, above 
which lies one foot of thin shaly stone, succeeded by six feet of somewhat irregular layers of 
medium thickness, upon which are two feet of even bedded stone, overlaid by two and a half 
feet of thin, greenish, shaly material. The lower portion is to be regardeii as representing the 
Lower Buff layers, and the upper ones the Lower Blue limestone. 

THE GALENA LIMESTONE. 

Upon the Trenton limestone, there rests a closely related formation known as the Galena 
limestone, from the fact that it is the main formation that bears galena or lead ore in the lead 
region of the southwestern part of the State. It differs from the Trenton limestone in being 
thicker bedded and having a more irregular texture, so that it weathers into rough, craggy 
forms and often has a rotten appearance. It is usually a deeper buff than the Trenton beds. 
Passing by several minor exposures in Jefferson County, we find, about two miles soutiieast of 
Fort Atkinson, quarries situated in the lower portion of this (the Galena limestone) formation ; 
and a little to the north, on the southeast quarter of Section 10, in Township 5 north, of Range 
1-4 east, a quarry in the Upper Blue limestone. The rock from the former furnishes a good 
lime and an ordinary building stone. On the west side of Rock River, in the towns of Jefferson 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 317 

and Oakland, are several patches of Galena limestone, forming the nucleus of the promi- 
nent hills of that region. On the east side of the river, the heavy drift accumulations effect- 
ually conceal the formation. 

THE GLACIAL FORMATIONS OR DRIFT. 

Long after the above formations had been deposited by the Silurian ocean, and had been 
lifted from the water and eroded into hills and valleys by the elements, the region was subjected 
to the action of ice and glacial waters, by which a covering of clay, sand, gravel and bowlders 
was deposited over the face of the region, well-nigh concealing all the strata beneath. This 
constitutes the drift, or glacial, or quaternary deposits that prevail at the service. They are 
composed of rounded frrgments and the ground-up material of various kinds of rocks. When 
carefully studied, it is found that all these fragments were derived from formations lying to the 
northward and northeastward, and that a great many of them came from the Lake Superior 
region and beyond, as, for instance, the copper that is occasionally found, sometimes in quite 
large lumps. 

Taken altogether, this is one of the most puzzling formations known to geologists ; and, 
although the explanations worked out by the recent geological survey in Wisconsin are prob- 
ably the most satisfactory that have ever been given, it would far transcend our limits to attempt 
to reproduce them here. Indeed, -we can only mention one important resource to Jeiferson 
County, springing from the drift — the manufacture of cream-colored brick, several millions of 
which are annually produced. Concerning the depth of this drift, or the ridges or belts formed 
of it, reference may be had to recent volumes of the Geology of Wisconsin. 

SOIL OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

The Soil, the latest geological formation, was produced by the disintegration of the drift 
and of the rock where it approaches the surface. The sui-face of .Jefferson County, west of the 
Rock and Crawfish Rivers, is generally covered (where cultivation has not changed it) with oak 
openings, with a small portion of prairie, and a larger part occupied by marshes — natural wet 
meadows. The upland is generally wooded with white, burr, and black or red oaks, that is, 
it was so wooded before cultivation began, with a soil varying with the vegetation found upon it 
in a state of nature. The prairies have an alluvial surfiice soil of great depth, from eight inches 
to two feet, with a clay subsoil slightly mixed with sand and lime pebbles. The marshes possess 
an alluvial soil of great depth, varying from two to ten feet, composed of vegetation in different 
stages of decomposition, and are underlaid generally with a strata of fine-washed beach sand, 
overlaying clay or rock. The burr-oak openings occupy a large portion of this region. They 
are characterized by a dark, alluvial surface soil, mixed with sand, and varying to quite sandy, 
the substratum less tenacious than that of the prairies, and varying to gravelly clay, rarely 
to sand and gravel. Next, the black or red oak openings have a surface of sandy loam, with 
a tenacious subsoil, varying to sandy. White-oak openings, generally occupying the most 
elevated portions of the west part of the county, have a tenacious soil, like the subsoil of the 
prairies. 

East of Rock, but south of Bark River, a large portion of the county is burr-oak openings, 
characteristics of which are the same as those west of the first-mentioned stream, with the excep- 
tion that the land covered by them is rather more sandy, and pretty freely sprinkled with granite 
bowlders. The white-oak openings also occupy the most elevated portions of this part of the 
county, as they do to the westward. 

East of Rock, but north of Bark River, the soil is generally sandy, or clay loam covered 
with leaf mold, witli all the variety of subsoil before described as existing in the west portions 
of the county, interspersed with marshes and tamarack or larch swamp, easily susceptible of 
improvement by ditching and seeding with timothy or red-top. The upland was originally 
nearly all covered with a dense growth of miscellaneous timber, including the sugar maple, from 



318 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUXTy. 

which, at an early day, nearly all the sugar used by the inhabitants was manufactured. The 
same description answers for the larger portion of the tract lying between the Rock and Craw- 
fish Rivers. The sub-stratum is generally composed of less compact materials than other por- 
tions, giving the roots of grasses access to the subsoil. 

CLIMATOLOGY. 

The climate of Jefferson County has its counterpart, nearly, in all the southern counties of 
Wisconsin. It is subject to about the same climatic conditions. What is true of one is quite 
true of all, especially of those located at some distance from Lake Michigan. The mean tem- 
perature for the year is not far from 45° ; for winter, 22° ; for summer, 69°. The average 
rainfall for the year is 32 inches. 

POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY. 

Jefferson County is bounded on the north by the county of Dodge, east by Waukesha 
County, south by Walworth and Rock, and west b}' the county of Dane. Its eastern boundary 
is about thirty-five miles west of Lake Michigan ; its western boundary nearly one hundred and 
eight miles east of the Mississippi. It covers an area of about five hundred and seventy-six 
square miles. This territory, with all the Northwest, was claimed by France from 1671 to 1763, 
when it was surrendered to the British. By the "Quebec Act" of 1774, tlie whole was placed 
under the local administration of Canada. It was, however, practically put under a despotic 
military rule, and so continued until possession passed to the United States. Before the last- 
mentioned event, and during and after the Revolution, the conflicting claims of Virginia, New 
York, Massachusetts and Connecticut to portions of the country were relinquished to the Gen- 
eral Government. All these claims were based upon chartered rights, and Virginia added to 
hers the right of conquest of the " Illinois country " during the Revolution. As early as Octo- 
ber, 1778, she declared, by an act of her General Assembly, that all the citizens of that 
commonwealth who were then settled, or should thereafter settle, on the western side of the Ohio, 
should be included in a distinct county, which should be called Illinois. No Virginians were then 
settled as far north as what is now Wisconsin ; and, as none thereafter located so far north before 
she relinquished all her rights to the United States, it follows that no part of our State was 
included in Illinois County, and that she never exercised any jurisdiction over any portion of 
Wisconsin ; nor did she make claim to any portion of it by right of conquest. 

Notwithstanding the passage of the ordinance of 1787, establishing a government over the 
territory northwest of the Ohio River, which territory was acquired by the treaty of 1783 from 
Great Britain, possession only was obtained by the L^nited States of the southern portion, the 
northern part being held by the British Government until 1796. Arthur St. Clair, in February, 
1790, exercising the functions of Governor, and having previously organized a government for 
the country under the ordinance above mentioned, established, in what is now the State of Illi- 
nois, a county which was named St. Clair. But, as this county only extended north "to the 
mouth of the Little Mackinaw Creek on the Illinois," it did not include, of course, any part of 
the present Wisconsin, although being the nearest approach thereto of any organized county up 
to that date. 

The next and much nearer approach to Jefferson County was by the organization of Wayne 
County in 1796, which was made to include, beside much other territory, ail of the present State 
watered by streams flowing into Lake Micliigan. Still, no part of Rock River Valley had as 
yet come into any county organization. However, from 1800 to 1809, what are now the limits 
of Jefferson County were within the Territory of Indiana, and, in the last-mentioned year, passed 
into the Territory of Illinois. It is probable that Indiana Territory exercised jurisdiction over 
what is now Wisconsin to the extent of appointing two Justices of the Peace — one for Green 
Bay and one for Prairie du Chien. In the year 180!t, the Illinois Territorial Government com- 
missioned three Justices of the Peace and two militia officers at Prairie du Chien, St. Clair 



HISTOKY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 319 

County having previously been extended so as to include that point, and probably Green Bay. 
In the course of time, other Illinois counties had jurisdiction, until in 1818, what is now Wis- 
jonsin became a portion of the Territory of Michigan. Under the government of the latter, the 
district of country now forming Jefferson County was first included within the limits of the 
county of Brown, afterward Milwaukee, and so continued until it became itself a county, consti- 
tuted by name and boundary. 

JEFFERSON COUNTY AS REPRESENTED ON EARLY MAPS. 

It was not until that portion of Michigan Territory lying west of Lake Michigan, and north 
of the State of Illinois, had become noted because of its lead mines, that the valley of Rock 
River above the northern boundary line of the State of Illinois, began to appear upon published 
maps with any degree of distinctness. 

On Farmer's " Map of the Territories of Michigan and Ouisconsin," published in 18-30, 
Lake Koshkonong is noted as "the lake we live on," — said to be the meaning of Kuskanong, 
Koskonong, or, as now spelled, Koshkonong. On this map, a Winnebago village is noted on 
an eastern branch of Rock River — evidently the Burnt Village, or White Crow's Village, pre- 
viously mentioned in this history. It is indicated in this map as being on the north sile of 
what is now Bark River, whereas its site was on the south side of that stream. 

The first "Map of Wiskonsin Territory, Compiled from Public Surveys," gives Jefferson 
County as one of the eighteen of its surveyed counties, noting therein Fort Atkinson and Jef- 
ferson. But the latter place is located wholly on the east side of Rock River, about a mile 
above the mouth of Crawfish River. The Milwaukee and Rock River Canal is distinctly 
marked, striking Rock River on the north side of .Jefferson ; and, immediately across it. on the 
road leading to W^itertown, is "Ossin." Watertown finds a place more than a mile below the 
county line, while the "Ancient ruins of Aztalan" are correctly noted. 

On a " Map of the Territory of Wisconsin," by David H. Burr, draughtsman to the House 
of Representatives of the United States, drawn in 1836, to accompany the Hon. Z. Carey's 
Report, a proposed Railroad is laid down on a straight line from Milwaukee to the " City of the 
Four Lakes," on the northwest side of the Fourth Lake (Mendota), in Dane County. This 
road is marked to run across .Jefferson County just above the mouth of the Crawfish River, but 
that stream is without a name. 

THE MOUND-BUILDERS. 

Ancient woi'ks e.xist in the valley of Rock River, not only below the State line, but also 
above it. Indeed, those south, in Illinois, are of much less importance than such as are known 
to exist to the northward. So far as the valley of this stream is concerned, throughout its whole 
extent, in Wisconsin, are to be found interesting relics of pre-historic man, — some of the mounds 
being seen at the very sources of a number of its branches. In the lead region, for some cause, 
there seem to be few evidences of their existence. In one locality, however, on the Pecatonica, 
a branch of the Rock River, ancient works are noticed. It is probable that the necessities of 
these builders did not include lead, and there are no indications of ancient mining of that metal 
in the lead region, as in the copper mines of Lake Superior. The copper ore associated with 
lead was beyond the reach of their metallurgic arts. The works on the Pecatonica consist of 
several oblong, or circular mounds; there is also one tapering mound. The last mentioned is 
destitute of appendages, or other indications of its relation to any animal form. These mounds 
are situated on sloping ground, and extend from the top of a hill half way to the Pecatonica. 
The soil at this point is sandy, being in the district of the sandstone, which crops out occasion- 
ally in the vicinity. There is nothing to distinguish these works from others more within the 
proper region, as it were, of the Mound-Builders. In one of the mounds, bones are said to 
have been obtained. Indian graves along the margin of the stream, when exposed, furnished a 



320 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

few glass beads and some trinkets. The point where these works exist is eleven miles west of 
Monroe, in Green County, Wis. 

The valley of Sugar River, a considerable stream between the Pecatonica and Rock Rivers, 
appeal's also to have been to a great extent avoided by the Mound-Builders. A few unimportant 
works have been seen, however, on some of the tributaries of that river. In Beloit, on the 
college grounds, some ancient works were surveyed in 18.52, by Prof S. P. Lathrop. They 
consisted of circular and oblong mounds. On the east bank of the river, three-quarters of a 
mile abore the city, he also surveyed, in the same year, some interesting vestiges of the pre- 
historic race. Some of the mounds here examined were of animal shape. There is a group of 
earthworks about two and a half miles east of Beloit. in Rock County, on a bluff overlooking 
Turtle Creek. These mounds represent animals of different kinds. 

Proceeding up Rock River, the first works worthy of notice are near the junction of the 
outlet of the four lakes, at Fulton. At a place known as Indian Hill, about a mile above the 
mouth of the Yahara (Cattish), Dr. I. A. Lapham, in 1850, surveyed a series of oblong mounds 
on the steep slope of the hill, converging toward a point where there is a dug-way leading to 
the river. The hill has an elevation of seventy or eighty feet, and from its summit the valley 
of the river can be overlooked for several miles above and below. It may be that this was a 
most important post of observation, and that the peculiar arrangement of the mounds was 
intended to guard the access to the water from the top of the hill. The hill is quite steep, and 
the graded way has been increased in depth by running water, but it bears evidence of having 
originally been constructed by art. 

At the intersection of Main and State streets, in the village of Fulton, Dr. Lapham found 
in 1850, an irregular oval earthwork, consisting of a flat ridge, and resembling tlie roadway of 
a modern turnpike. The breadth varied from thirty to forty feet, and the elevation from two to 
three feet in the middle. The diameters of the oval were 500 and 300 feet. Such a structure 
might have had its usage in some of the public games or ceremonies of uncivilized life; but it 
would be idle, of course, to undertake to ascertain its particular purpose. 

Besides the works already mentioned, in this vicinity. Dr. Lapham found numerous tumuli, 
of the ordinary circular form, supposed to be sepulchral. They were occasionally arranged in 
rows, mjre or less regular, along the margin of a brook or valley. Usually, two or three 
mounds near the middle of the row were found larger than the others. Three of these mounds 
were found on the east side of the Yahara, half a mile below Fulton, and a group a mile above 
the village. Two miles above, on Section 11, was found a group of eight, situated on the edge 
of a prairie, so as to be seen in profile. About a mile below Fulton, there was found a group 
of fourteen, and another, on the side of Rock River. All these were circular mounds, not 
accompanied by others of imitative forms. Some had been opened, and were said in most cases 
to have contained remains of human skeletons, frequently of several persons in the same mounds. 
In 1834, the Government Surveyors noted eight mounds on tlie west shore of Lake Koshko- 
nong, immediately above where Rock River leaves the lake. Recently, one of these mounds, 
sixty feet in diameter and eighty feet above the water, was opened by W. C. Whitford and W. 
P. Clarke, and found to contain some Indian skeletons and relics; also, what are believed to be 
the skulls of three Mound-Builders. 

We now reach Jefferson County in our ascent of Rock River, and are in Township 5 north, 
of Range 13 east, and, being upon Thiebault's Point on the east side of Lake Koshkonong, are 
also, of course, in tlie town of Koshkonong. On this point are traces of mounds ; but, a little 
further up the lake, on Sections 25 and 24, are a series of work sexteiiding about two miles along 
the highlands which border upon that portion of it. Some represent turtles ; they all have 
their heads turned toward the lake ; their tails are of diminished lengths. One mound, as seen 
in 1850. bore some resemblance to a tadpole. In tlie vicinity of Fort Atkinson are several 
groups of mounds. A half mile below the place, on the right bank of Rock River, are some 
very large burial tumuli; the largest is ten feet high and sixty feet in diameter. Going another 
half-mile down the river, on the same (north) side, brings us to a remarkable succession of works 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 321 

of various forms. A mile west of Jefferson, there are the first lizard mounds to be seen on Rock 
River. A bird and a snake have here their representatives. In and around Jefferson, there are 
many other traces of mounds. On the north bank of Ripley Lake, in the town of Oakland, is 
a group of works of the Mound-Builders exhibiting some peculiar features. 

Ascending the Crawfish River from Jefferson, we reach the " ancient city of Aztalan " — 
one of the wonders of the Western world. The importance of the works here seen arises from 
the fact that they give evidence of greater labor than those at any other locality in the State, 
and that they resemble the works of Mound-Builders in other parts of the United States. With- 
put this resemblance we might be led to suppose that the ancient people who lived in Wiscon- 
sin were a distinct race from those who lived in Ohio, so different is the general character of 
their monuments. The ancient remains are located on Sections 16, 17 and 20, in Township 7 
north, of Range 14 east, in the town of Aztalan, and immediately south and southeast of the 
village of the same name ; indeed, some of the mounds are included within the surveyed limits 
of the last-mentioned place. Nearly all the works are upon the west side of the Crawfish River. 
These works were first discovered in October, 18-36, and surveyed for the first time by N. F. 
Hyer, in January, 18-37. He soon afterward published a brief description of them, accompanied 
by a woodcut, in the Milwaukee Advertiser. The name Aztalan was given to these works by 
Mr. Hyer, because, according to a tradition of the Aztecs (the ancient inhabitants of Mexico) 
their ancestors came from a country at the north, which they called Aztalan, and the possibility 
that these might be the remains of their occupancy, suggested the idea of the name. In 1843, 
the " ancient city " was again described, this time by Samuel Taylor, in Silliman's Journal. 
This description was condensed by Squier and Davis in the first volume of the Smithsonian Con- 
tributions, published in 1848. In 1855, in a work entitled "The Antiquities of Wisconsin," by 
I. A. Lapham, published under the auspices of the Smithsonian Institution, and on behalf of the 
American Antiquarian Society, a description, very elaborate and complete, is given of these works. 

The main feature of these remains of an extinct race is the inclosure or ridge of earth, 
extending around three sides of an irregular parallelogi'am, the Crawfish River forming the 
fourth side on the east. The space thus inclosed is seventeen aci'es and two-thirds. The ridge 
forming the inclosure is 631 feet long at the north end, 1,419 feet long on the west side, and 
700 feet on the south side, makins a total length of wall of 2,750 feet. The ridse or wall is 
about twenty-two feet wide, and from one foot to five feet in height. The wall of earth is 
enlarged on the outside, at nearly regular distances, by mounds of the same material. Nearly 
the whole interior of the inclosure appears to have been either excavated or thrown up into 
mounds and ridges. Outside the inclosure, north and south, are a number of mounds, others are 
seen across the river east. These are of various sizes and forms, most of them circular. But 
the ruins of the " ancient city " are now so changed by cultivation as to present but slight indi- 
cations of their appearance when first discovered. 

In the valley of Rock River, within the county of Jefferson, few traces of the Mound- 
Builders are found above Aztalan until the town of Ixonia is reached. Here there are, on Sec- 
tion 19, seven or eight mounds along the right bank of the river, on an elevated position, com- 
manding a fine view of the stream above and below. There are other traces of the extinct 
race in the vicinity. It may be said with truth that nowhere else in Wisconsin do there exist 
such important remains of the Mound-Builders as in what is now Jefferson County. 

INDIAN OCCUPANCY. 

As early as the year 1632, the civilized world had knowledge, through vague reports of 
savages, of a tribe of Indians to the westward and southwestward of Lake Huron, who lived in a 
country "where there was a quantity of buffaloes." This nation, it is believed, was the one 
afterward known as the Illinois. They occupied what is now Northern Illinois, extending their 
occupation, probably, so far to the northward as to include Southern Wisconsin, and the terri- 
tory now included in Jefferson County. Afterward, they were driven beyond the Mississippi, 
but subsequently returned to the region of the river which bears their name. 



322 HISTORY OF JEFFEUSOX COUNTY. 

Meanwhile, there commenced an emigration of tribes from Fox River of Green Bay, to 
the southward. The Mascoutins and their kindred, the Kickapoos and Miamis, moved to the 
vicinity of tlie south end of Lake Michigan. It is probable that one or more of these tribes 
had their homes for a time in the Rock River Valley, after the migration of the Illinois across 
the Mississippi. Following them in, at least, a nominal occupation of Southern Wisconsin, 
were the Foxes ; but these Indians and their kitidred, the Sacs, instead of migrating toward the 
south, moved westward and southwestward from the river which commemorates the first-men- 
tioned tribe. 

Though there is abundant evidence that the territory now known as Jefferson County was 
occupied by the Winnebagoes for a considerable time previous to the advent of the whites, 
it is impossible to fix the exact spots within the present bounds of the county where they 
located all their villages, and the date of their first occupancy. The character of the country, 
so admirably suited to all the requirements of a primitive and nomadic people — well watered 
throughout its wliole extent, and containing a combination of woodland, prairie, openings and 
natural meadows, upon which grazed herds of game, or which were readily converted into fertile 
cornfields — affords presumptive evidence that it must have been a favorite abode of a portion of 
that tribe known as the Rock River Winnebagoes. It is certain, also, that bands of Pottawato- 
mies were resident at different points in what is now Jefferson County. 

The prevailing opinion that the Winnebagoes had occupied the valley of the Rock for a 
great number of years previous to the advent of the whites is an erroneous one. And even as 
late as 1832, the Rock River band had but one village upon territory now included in Jefferson 
County. It was called the Burnt Village — known, also, as the White Crow's town — was on 
the south side of what was then called the Whitewater River (now Bark River), at its most 
southerly point, on the north half of Section 12, in Township 5 north, of Range 14 east — town 
of Koshkonong — about two and one-half miles southeast of the present Fort Atkinson. This is 
the village generally, but incorrectly, stated to have been located upon the north side of Lake 
Koshkonong, some eight miles distant. When, on the 6th day of July, 1832, Gen. Atkinson, 
in pursuit of Black Hawk, reached the place, it was found deserted. 

There were many tribes of Indians who claimed to be sole owners of all the land embraced 
in the present State of Wisconsin, when it finally came under the jurisdiction of the United 
States. This question of aboriginal ownership of the soil was then found to be inextricably 
complicated by conflicting claims of different tribes to the same land. As will be found fully 
explained in the general history of the State, the Menomonees, Chippewas, Ottawas, Winneba- 
goes, Sacs and Foxes and Pottawatomies were all located within the present boundaries of 
Wisconsin, and the claims of several different tribes were frequently found to embrace the same 
territory. Thus, for example, the Winnebagoes, the Sacs and Foxes, and the Pottawatomies 
each claimed an ownership in the Rock River country ; and the particular subdivision of it now 
known as Jefferson County was claimed by both the Winnebagoes and Pottawatomies. 

The first treaty affecting the lands of the Rock River Valley made with the Indians was 
that between " William Clark, Ninian Edwards and August Choteau, Commissioners Plenipo- 
tentiary of the United States of America, on the part and behalf of the said States, of the one 
part, and the chiefs and warriors of that portion of the Winnebago tribe or nation residing on 
the Wisconsin River, of the other part," which treaty was proclaimed January 30, 1816. 
Article II of this treaty stipulated that "'the undersigned chiefs and warriors, for them- 
selves and those they represent, do, by these presents, confirm to the United States all and 
every cession of land heretofore made by their nation to the British, French or Spanish Govern- 
ments, within the limits of the United States or Territories, and. also, all and every treaty, 
contract and agreement heretofore concluded between the United States and the said tribe or 
nation, as far as their interest in the same extends." 

Subsequently, a treaty proclaimed February 6, 1826, was entered into with the Sioux and 
Chippewa, Sac and Fox, Menomonee, Iowa, Sioux, Winnebago, and a portion of the Ottawa, 
Chippewa and Pottawatomie tribes, for the purpose of " promoting peace among these tribes, 



HISTORY or JEFFERSON COUNTY. 323 

and to establish boundaries among them and the other tribes who live in their vicinity." 
Article VI of this treaty is to this effect : " It is agreed between the Chippewas and Winneba- 
goes, so far as they are mutually interested therein, that the southern boundary line of the 
Chippewa country shall commence on the Chippewa River, half a day's march below the falls of 
that river, and run thence to the source of Clear Water River, a branch of the Chippewa ; thence 
south to Black River ; thence to a point where the woods project into the meadows, and thence 
to the Plover Portage of the Wisconsin." 

Article VII stipulates : " It is agreed between the Winnebagoes and the Sioux, Sacs and 
Foxes, Chippewas and Ottawas, Chippewas and Pottawatomies of the Illinois, that the Winne- 
bago country shall be bounded as follows : Southeasterly by Rock River, from its source near the 
Winnebago Lake, to the Winnebago village, about forty miles above its mouth; westerly by the 
2ast line of the tract lying upon the Mississippi, herein secured to the Ottawa, Chippewa and 
Pottawatomie Indians of the Illinois ; and also by the high bluff described in the Sioux 
joundary, and running north to Black River; from this point, the Winnebagoes claim up Black 
River to a point due west from the source of the left fork of the Wisconsin ; thence to the 
source of the said fork, and down the same to the Wisconsin ; thence down the Wisconsin to 
:he portage, and across the portage to Fox River ; thence down Fox River to the Winnebago 
Lake, and to grand Kau Kaulin, including in their claim the whole of Winnebago Lake." 

By a treaty concluded at Rock Island between the LTnited States, by their Commissioner, 
Maj. Gren. Winfield Scott, and Gov. Reynolds, of Illinois, and the Winnebagoes, proclaimed 
February 13, 1833, the Winnebagoes, for certain considei-ations of land, money and supplies, 
;eded " to the United States, forever, all the lands to which said nation have title or claim, lying 
;o the south and east of the Wisconsin River, and the Fox River, of Green Bay." 

As, however, the country claimed by the W'innebagoes, under the treaty of February 6, 
1826, was bounded on the southeast " by Rock River from its source, near the Winnebago Lake, 
;o the Winnebago village, about forty miles above its mouth," it is evident that the land ceded 
3y this last treaty (that of February 13, 1838), could not include the whole of Jefferson County 
IS it now exists. The other moiety of this county was acknowledged to be the property of the 
United Nation of Chippewa, Ottawa and Pottawatomie Indians ; and, to extinguish their title, 
I treaty was entered into with them at Chicago September 26, 1833, whereby, for good and val- 
lable considerations, this confederated nation of Indians ceded '' to the United States all their 
and along the western shore of Lake Michigan, and between this lake and the land ceded to the 
[Jnited States by the Winnebago nation at the treaty of Fort Armstrong (Rock Island), made 
)n the loth of September, 1832, bounded on the north by the country lately ceded by the 
Menomonees, and on the south by the country ceded at the treaty of Prairie du Chien, made on 
;he 29th of July, 1829, supposed to contain about five millions of acres.'' 

Finally, and to remove the possibility of any doubt whatever, as to the validity of the title 
leld by the United States to the lands lying on both sides of Rock River, a treaty was con- 
duded at Washington City — proclaimed June 16, 1838 — with the Winnebagoes, whereby, in 
)rief but comprehensive terms, " the Winnebago Nation of Indians cede to the United States all 
heir land east of the Mississippi River." 

With this treaty, the United States obtained an unassailable title to all the lands lying 
vithin the present bounds of Jefferson County ; but, so fond of their former homes were the 
ilock River Winnebagoes, that even after they had been removed to the reservation provided 
or them, they continually revisited them, in small parties, to the great annoyance of the citi- 
;ens ; and the Government was finally compelled, in 1841, to send a military detachment to 
ecure obedience to the order confining them to territory set off to them beyond the Mississippi. 
3ut. though forced to leave, they would frequently return in small parties ; and, when these 
traggling bands would pass their old-time burial places, they would manifest the deepest 
•everence. 



824 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 

The summer of 1832 was a somewhat notable one in the history of the territory afterward 
included in .Jefferson County. June and July of that year saw the gathering of Indian hordes 
within its limits, painted and plumed — at war with the whites. Black Hawk, the leader of the 
Sacs, had retreated up Rock River until a point was reached — Black Hawk Grove — just outside 
of what is now the city of Janesville, Rock County, where the savages remained some time in 
camp. It must not be understood that they were now at their former homes. This was not the 
case. It was not then the country of the Sacs, but of the Rock River Winnebagoes. The last 
mentioned had not yet ceded their territory east of Sugar River. 

While Black Hawk was in camp at the grove which has received his name, there were 
brought in two prisoners, Sylvia and Rachel Hall. The particulars of their captivity are given 
in the words of one of the captives : 

" On the 21st of May, 1832, at about 4 o'clnck in the afternoon, as Mr. Pettigrew's and 
our (Mr. Hall's) family were assembled at the house of William Davis, in In lian Creek settle- 
ment, in La Salle County, 111., a party of Indians, about seventy in number, were seen crossing 
Mr. Davis' fence, about eight or ten paces from the house. As they approached, Mr. Pettigrew 
attempted to shut the door, but was shot down in doing so. The savages then rushed in and 
massacred every one present, except mj sister and myself The persons massacred were Mr. 
Pettigrew, Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Pettigrew, Mrs. Hall (my mother) and Miss Davis, a young lady of 
about fifteen — and si.\ children, four of them boys and two of them girls. These were in the 
house. Mr. Davis, Mr. Hall (my father), William Norris and Henry George were massacred 
without; fifteen in all. The time occupied in the massacre was less, probably, than ten minutes. 
When the Indians entered, my sister and myself were sitting near the door sewing. I got imme- 
diately upon the bed and stood there during the massacre. The confusion was such — the terror 
inspired by the firing of guns in the house, and the shrieks of the wounded and dying so great 
— that I have no recollections in what manner they were killed. 

" As soon as the massacre was over, three Indians seized and dragged me from the bed with- 
out much violence, and led me into the yard. I was then taken by two of them about half-way 
across the creek — fifty paces or more, perhaps, distant. Thence I was led back into the yard in 
front of the house, where I saw my sister for the first time since our separation. 

"We were then taken by four Indians — two having hold of each — and hurried off on foot, 
in a northern direction, as fast as we could run, for about two miles through timber bordering 
upon the creek, when we came to a place where the Indians had left their horses previous to the 
attack. We were then placed, without constraint, upon two of their poorest animals, each of 
which was led by an Indian, and proceeded as fast as our horses couUl travel in a direction, as I 
supposed, toward the camp, accompanied by about thirty warriors. We continued traveling in 
this manner until about midnight, when we halted to rest our horses, the Indians exhibiting all 
the while .symptoms of great uneasiness, arising apparently from their apprehension of being 
pursued. After resting for about two hours, we started again on the same horses as before, and 
traveled at a brisk gait the residue of the night and all next day until about noon, when we halted, 
and the Indians, having scalded some beans and roasted some acorns, desired us to eat. We ate 
some of the beans and tasted of the acorns, not from any disposition we had to eat, but to avoid 
giving offense to our captors. We remained in this place for one or two hours. The Indians, 
after having finished their scanty meal, busied themselves in dressing the scalps they had taken, 
stretching them upon small hoops. Among tliem I recognized, by the color of the hair, my own 
mother's ! It produced a kind of faintness or blindness, and I fell into a swoon, from which I 
was awakened shortly thereafter .by a summons to set out upon our journey. We traveled on in 
the same way, but more leisurely than before, until almost night, when the horse I rode gave out, 
and I was seated behind an Indian who rode a fine horse belonjrincr to Mr. Henderson, taken 
from the settlement in which we were captured. In this manner, we continued on until about 9 




WATERTOWN ^ 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 327 

o'clock at night, when we reached a camp, having traveled, as I suppose, about ninety miles in 
twenty-eight hours. 

" The Sac camp was on the bank of a small creek, surrounded by low, marshy ground, 
scattei'ed over with small, burr-oak trees. On our arrival, several squaws came to our assistance, 
took us from our horses and conducted us into the camp, pi'epared a place for us to sit down, 
and presented us some parched corn, some meal and maple sugar mixed, and desired us to eat. 
We did so, more through fear than hunger, and, at their request, threw a small parcel (about a 
tablespoonful) into the fire, as did also the squaws, and the Indians that accompanied us. There 
was much apparent rejoicing on our arrival. About 10 o'clock, we were invited by the squaws 
to lie down, which we did, and enjoyed a kind of confused or disordered slumber, which lasted 
until after sunrise. The next morning, soon after we arose, our fears of massacre and torture 
began to abate. We were presented with some boiled beans and sugar for breakfast, and ate a 
little, having, though almost exhausted, as yet no appetite for food. About 10 o'clock, the 
camp broke up, and we all moved about five miles acro.ss the creek, and encamped again on an 
elevated spot, covered with timber, near a small creek. We ti-aveled each upon a separate 
horse, heavily laden with provisions, blankets, kettles and other furniture required in an Indian 
camp. We arrived at our new encampment a little before sundown. Here a white pole was 
stuck in the ground, and the scalps taken when we were captured hung up as trophies. About 
fifty warriors assembled in the center and commenced a dance, in which a few of the squaws 
participated. They danced around this pole to the music of a drum and gourds, so prepared as 
to make a rattling noise. I was invited frequently by the squaws to join in the dance, but 
refused. 

'> The first dance was had in the morning, after our arrival in camp. The same was 
repeated daily while we continued among them. Soon after we arose, on the first morning after 
our arrival, some warriors came to our lodge, and took us out, and gave me a red flag, and 
placed something in the hands of my sister, which I do not recollect, and made us march around 
through the encampment, passing each wigwam. Then they led us to the center of the spot 
they had cleared oif to prepare for the dance, near where the white pole was stuck up ; then, 
placing a blanket upon the earth, and after painting our faces red and black, ordered us to lie 
down with our faces toward the ground. They then danced around us with war-clubs, tomahawks 
and spears. Before its conclusion, we were taken away by two squaws, who, we under- 
stood, were the wives of Black Hawk. In the evening, as soon as the dance was over, we were 
presented with a supper, consisting of coffee, fried cakes, boiled corn and fried venison, with 
fried leeks, of which we ate more freely than before. We continued with them for four days 
longer, during which we fared in a similar manner, until the two last days, when we got out of 
flour. When our flour was exhausted, we had coffee, meat and pounded corn made into soup. 
On being delivered over to the squaws above mentioned, we were separated from each other, 
but permitted to visit every day, and remain for about two hours without interruption. These 
squaws encamped near each other, and we were considered as their children, and treated as 
such. Our encampments were removed five or six miles each day, and my sister and myself 
were always permitted to ride at such removals. Our fare was usually better than that of 
others in our wigwam. Our fears of massacre had now subsided, being received and adopted 
into the family of a chief. We were not required to perform any labor, but were closely 
watched to prevent our escape. 

" On the fifth day after our arrival at the Sac camp, we were told that we must go with 
some AVinnebago chiefs who had come for us. At that time, the Sac encampment was on a con- 
siderable stream [Rock River], the outlet, as I supposed, of a lake [Koshkonong]. There were 
a number of lakes within its vicinity. The squaws witii whom we lived were apparently 
distressed at the idea of our leaving them. The Winnebagoes endeavored to make us under- 
stand that they were about to take us to the white people. This, however, we did not believe ; 
but, on the contrary, supposed they intended to take us entirely away from our country, friends 
and homes. 



328 HISTORY OF .JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

" We left the Sac encampment with four Winnebagoes the same evening, and traveled 
about fifteen miles, each of us riding on horseback behind a Winnebago chief; the latter 
expressing frequently their fears of pursuit by the Sacs, who exhibited great uneasiness at our 
departure — the prophet having cut two locks of hair from ray head and one from my sisters, just 
before we left them. 

" We reached the Winnebago encampment a little after dark, and were kindly received. 
It was more comfortable than any we had seen, and we slept sounder and better than before. 
We rose early next morning ; the Indians, however, had been up some time. We ate breakfast 
before sunrise, and started in canoes up the river. There were, I believe, eight in company. 
We continued on our course until nearly sundown, when we landed and encamped on the bank 
of the river. There were present about a hundred Winnebago warriors. During the next dav, 
four Sac Indians arrived in camp, dressed in white men's clothes, and desired to talk with us. 
We were told, however, by the Winnebago chiefs, that we must shut our ears and turn away 
from them, which we did. 

'■The 'Blind' [White Crow] and his son left our encampment during the night, and 
returned early in the morning. Immediately afterward they came to us, and the 'Blind' asked 
if we thought the whites would hang them if they took us to the fort. We gave them to under- 
stand that they would not. They next inquired if we thought the white people would give them 
anything for taking us to them. We gave them to understand that they would. The ' Blind ' 
then collected his horses, and with the Whirling Thunder and about twenty of the Winneba- 
goes we crossed the river and pursued our journey, my sister and myself each on a separate 
horse. We encamped about dark ; rose early next morning, and, after a hasty meal of pork 
and potatoes (the first we had seen since our captivity), of which we ate heartily, we traveled 
on until we reached the fort — the Blue Mounds, Wisconsin Territory. Before our arrival 
thither, we had become satisfied that our protectors were taking us to our friends, and that we 
had formerly done them injustice. About three miles from the fort we stopped, and the Indians 
cooked some venison ; after which they took a white handkerchief which I had, and, tying it 
to a long pole, three Indians proceeded with it to the fort. About a quarter of a mile thence 
we were met by a Frenchman [Edward Beouchard]. The Indians formed a ring, and the 
Frenchman rode into it and hold a talk with our protectors. The latter expressed an unwilling- 
ness to give us up until they could see Mr. Gratiot, the Indian agent. Being informed by the 
Frenchman we should be well treated, and that they should see us daily until Mr. Gratiot's 
arrival, they delivered us into the Frenchman's care. 

•'We repaired inunediately to the fort, where the ladies of the garrison (who in the mean 
time had assembled) received us with the utmost tenderness. We were thereupon attired once 
more in the costume of our own country, and next day started for Galena. On reaching a 
little fort at White Oak Springs, we were met by our eldest brother, who, together with a 
younger one, was at work in a field near the house when we were captured, and when the mas- 
sacre began fled, and arrived in safety at Dixon's Ferry. On leaving Galena, we went on 
board the steamboat Winnebago for St. Louis, which place we reached in five days, and were 
kindly received by its citizens and hospitably entertained by Gov. Clark. Previous to our 
leaving Galena, Ave had received an affectionate letter from Rev. Mr. Horn, of Morgan County, 
111., inviting us to make his house our future home. We accepted the invitation, and left St. 
Louis in the steamboat Caroline for Beardstown, on the Illinois River, where we arrived on the 
third day thereafter. On landing, we were kindly received by the citizens, and, in a few hours, 
reached the residence of Mr. Horn, five miles distant, in the latter part of July, 1832, when 
our troubles ended." 

The tent-poles, ashes and brands of the Indian camp-fires, where the two captives were 
given over to the Winnebagoes by the Sac Indians, were plainly discernible when the first set- 
tlers located in the vicinity. 

Gen. Atkinson having arrived at the mouth of the Pecatonica, in pursuit of the savages, 
and hearing that Black Hawk was further up Rock River, determined to follow him, with the 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUXTY. 329 

intention of deciding the war by a general battle, if possible. Black Hawk, judging of his 
intentions from the report of his spies, broke up his camp, near what is now Janesville, and 
retreated still farther up the stream to the foot of Lake Koshkonong, where, on the west side of 
the river, in what is now the town of Milton, Rock County, he again formed a camp. Here he 
remained some time, when he again removed, this time to an island in the lake, still known as 
Black Hawk's Island. It is in the southeast corner of the town of Sumner in Jefferson 
County. He afterward made his way farther up the valley. 

The march of Gen. Atkinson in pursuit of Black Hawk through what is now Rock 
County, and his arrival at Lake Koshkonong, in the present county of Jefferson, where he found 
the Sac chief had eluded him, is best related by one who was present : 

'•The 80th of June, 1832, we passed through the Turtle village [now the city of Beloit], 
which is a considerable Winnebago town, but it was deserted. We marched on about a mile, 
and encamped on the open prairie near enough to Rock River to get water from it. We here 
saw very fresh signs of the Sac Lidians, where they had been apparently fishing on that day. 
Gen. Atkinson believed we were close to them and apprehended an attack that night. The 
sentinels fired several times and we were as often paraded and prepared to receive the enemy, 
but they never came, though from the accounts given by the sentinels to the officers of the day, 
there was no doubt that Indians had been prowling about the camp. 

" July 1. — We had not marched but two ox three miles before an Indian was seen across 
Rock River at some distance off, on a very high prairie, which, no doubt, was a spy, and likely 
was one that had been prowling about our encampment the night before. We proceeded a few 
miles further, and came to the place where the Indians, who had taken the two Misses Hall 
prisoners, had stayed for several days [near the present city of Janesville]. It was a strong 
position, where they could have withstood a very powerful force. W^e afterward discovered they 
always encamped in such places. We had not marched but a few miles from this place before 
one of our front scouts came back meeting the army in great haste, and stated that tliev had dis- 
covered a fresh trail of Indians, where they had just gone along in front of us. Maj. Ewini^, who 
was in front of the main army some distance, immediately formed his men in line of battle, and 
marched in that order in advance of the main army, about three-quarters of a mile. We had a 
very thick wood to march through, where the undergrowth stood very high and thick ; the signs 
looked very fresh, and we expected every step to be fired upon from the thickets. We marched 
in this order about two miles, not stopping for the unevenncss of the ground or anythino- else, 
but keeping in line of battle all the time, until we found the Indians" had scattered, then we 
resumed our common line of march, which was in three divisions. Soon after we had formed 
into three divisions, the friendly Indians that were with us raised an alarm, by seven or eight 
of them shooting at a deer, some little in advance of the army. The whole army here formed 
for action, but it was soon ascertained that these children of the forest had been at what their 
whole race seems to have been born for — shooting at the beasts of the forest. 

•' We here camped by a small lake [Storr's] this night, and had to drink the water, which 
was very bad, but it was all that could be found. Here a very bad accident happened. One of 
the sentinels, mistaking another that was on post, with a blanket wrapped around him, for an 
Indian, shot him just below the gioin, in the thick of the thigh. At first, the wound was thought 
mortal. I understood, before I left the army, that the man was nearly well. Here Gen. Atkin- 
son had, on this night, breastworks tlirown up. Avhich was easily done, as we were encamped in 
thick, heavy timber. This was a precaution which went to show that he set a great deal by the 
lives of his men, and by no means was any mark of cowardice; for generalship consists more in 
good management than anything else. 

'•July 2. — AVe started this morning at the usual time, but went only a few miles before 
Maj. Ewing, who was still in front with his battalion, espied a very fresh trail, making off at 
about a left angle. He dispatched ten men from the battalion, in company with Capt. George 
Walker and a few Indians, to pursue it and see, if possible, where it went to. He moved on in 
front of his battalion a short distance further, when we came on the main Sac trail of Black 



330 HISTORY OF JEFFERSONT COUNTY. 

Hawk's whole army, whict appeared to be about two days old. Capt. Early, who commanded 
a volunteer independent company, and had got in advance this morning, called a halt; so did 
Maj. Ewing with his battalion. Then Maj. Ewing sent back one of his staff officers for th6 main 
army to call a halt for a few minutes. He, with Maj. Anderson, of the infantry, Capt. Early 
and Jonathan H. Pugh, went a little in advance, when Maj. Anderson, with a telescope, took a 
view across the lake, as we had now got to Lake Koshkonong. [The army entered what is now 
Jefferson County, very nearly where, in going north, its south line is crossed by the Chicago 
& North-Wosteru Railway. The trail, after leaving the southeast quarter of Section 3.5, in 
Township north, of Range 13 east, ran nearly due north to the southeast corner of Section 26, 
in the same township and range, where the army reached the lake, in what is now the town of 
Koshkonong.] They then discovered three Indians apparently in their canoes. Maj. Ewing 
went himself and informed Gen. Atkinson what discovery was made, and requested Gen. Atkin- 
son to let him take his battalion round through a narrow defile that was between two of those 
lakes, where we supposed the Indians were. By this time, our scouts, who had taken the trail 
that led off on our left, returned, bringing with them five white men's scalps. They followed 
the Indian trail until it took them to a large Indian encampment that they had left a few days 
before. They reached it ; the scalps were sticking up against some of their wigwams ; some of 
them were identified, but I do not recollect the names of any, except one, which was said to be 
an old gentleman of the name of Hall. Maj. Ewing then marched his battalion about a mile, 
where the pass on the side of the lake appeared so narrow, that he dismounted his men and had 
the horses all tied, and a few men left to guard them. The rest of us marched on foot about 
one mile through a narrow defile on the [east] bank of Koshkonong Lake. This was considered 
a dangerous procedure, but Maj. Ewing, who was in front with Maj. Anderson, would have been 
first in danger. We now found that we were getting too far in advance of our horses; so Maj. 
Ewing sent a part of the men back for them. When we mounted our horses, we were joined by 
Capt. Early and his independent corps. AVe then marched some distance a-round tlie [Koshko- 
nong] lake, and went in between two of them, in a narrow defile until we found another deserted 
encampment. We now saw clearly that the Indians were gone from the Koshkonong Lake ; so, 
the next thing to be done was to find in which direction they had steered their course." 

Gen. Atkinson having been re-enforced by Gen. Alexander, took up his line of march, 
arriving at the Burnt Village on the 6th of July. That evening, Gen. Posey's brigade, in com- 
pany with Col. Dodge's squadron, joined Atkinson. Col. John Ewing and his regiment came 
within a mile and a half of the main army, and encamped. On the 10th, Gen. Atkinson sent 
Col. Ewing with his regiment down Rock River to Dixon's; Gen. Posey, with the rest of his 
brigade, was dispatched to Fort Hamilton ; while Col. Henry and his brigade. Gen. Alexander's 
brigade and Col. Dodge's squadron were sent to Fort Winnebago, now Portage, Columbia 
County, for provisions. Atkinson dropped down a short distance from the Burnt Village and 
built a stockade fort, which he called Fort Koshkonong. It was located on the south side of 
Rock River, in the eastern outskirts of the present village of Fort Atkinson. Alexander 
returned from Fort Winnebago by the direct route, while Dodge and Henry took a more east- 
erly one, striking Rock River at a point where there was a small Winnebago village, now Hus- 
tisford, Dodge County, which point was reached July 18. Information was here obtained that 
Black Hawk was at " Cranberry Lake," farther up the river. This was believed to be reliable, 
and an express was immediately started down the stream to inform Gen. Atkinson of the Sac 
chiefs whereabouts. The express, consisting of Dr. E. H. Merryman, AV. W. Woodbridge, with 
Little Thunder, a Winnebago, came very unexpectedly, at a distance of not more than eight 
miles from their starting-point, upon the trail of Black Hawk, making his way down the river. 
The express returned to the army with the news, and the next morning, July 19, the pursuit 
began. The fugitives, leaving the river near what is now the city of Watertown, were followed 
to the Third Lake (Monona), across the site where the city of Madison now stands. Meanwhile, 
Atkinson being informed of the movements of Henry and Dodge, broke up his camp and fol- 
lowed on with the main army, leaving Capt. Gideon Low, of the United States Regulars, with 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 331 

thirty or forty men, to hold Fort Koshkonong, afterward known as "Fort Atkinson." The 
two commands, following so close upon the Sac chief, brought on an engagement on the 21st of 
July upon the Wisconsin River, mention of which — the battle of " Wisconsin Heights" — has 
already been made in the general history of the State. After the conclusion of the war, Capt. 
Low abandoned " Fort Atkinson," proceeding with his men to Fort Winnebago. 

UNITED STATES SURVEYS AND LAND SALES. 

Immediately after the close of the Black Hawk war, and the acquisition by the United 
States of the Indian title to all the land west of Lake Michigan, not reserved to the Indians or 
secured to specified individuals by the terms of the several treaties, a survey was commenced by 
the General Government. The northern boundary of Illinois, which was fixed April 11, 1818, 
on the parallel of 42° 30' north latitude, became properly the base line of the surveys. A 
principal north and south line (known as the Fourth Meridian) was also run, extending from- 
the base line to Lake Superior. This line was west of the territory now included in Jefferson 
County, running first between what are now the counties of Grant and La Fayette, then con- 
tinuing due north to near the mouth of the Montreal River. Parallel lines to this were- 
run every six miles both on the east and west sides of it. The intervening six miles 
between these lines are called ranges. Range 1 east, is the first six miles east of the 
Fourth Meridian ; Range 2 east is the second six miles east ; and so on to Lake Michigan — 
Jefferson County lying in Ranges 13, 14, 15 and 16 east. Parallel lines north of the base 
line were run every six miles, which, crossing the ranges at right angles, cut the whole into 
blocks six miles square, called townships. These are numbered by tiers going north from the 
base line, as Townships 1 north. Townships 2 north, and so on. As the present territory of 
Jefferson County begins twenty-four miles north of the base line, and extends twenty-four 
miles further north, it includes, of course, four tiers of townships, numbered 5, 6, 7 and 8 
north. Hence, in speaking of the territory of Jefferson County as surveyed by the General 
Government, it is said to be in Townships 5, 6, 7 and 8 north, of Ranges 13, 14, 15 and 16 
east. 

By the end of 183-3, a large amount of the public land in what is now Southern and 
Eastern Wisconsin, had been surveyed, and the fact being duly reported by the Surveyor 
General, Congress, by an act approved June 26, 1834, created two land districts. They 
embraced all that tract north of the State of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and south- 
east of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, included in the then Territory of Michigan. It 
was divided by a north and south line, drawn from the northern boundary of Illinois, between 
Ranges 8 and 9, to the Wisconsin River. All east of that line was called the Green Bay 
Land District; all west, the Wisconsin Land District. Within the first-mentioned district 
was included the whole of the present county of Jefferson. A Land Office for this Eastern 
District was established at Green Bay, which was duly opened by the Government, and a notice 
given of a public sale of all the then surveyed public lands lying south and southeast of the 
Wisconsin and Fox Rivers. In accordance with this announcement, a sale took place at Green 
Bay in 1835. 

By act of Congress of June 15, 1836, the Milwaukee Land District was erected out of the 
southern portion of the Green Bay District, including all the land between Range 8 east and 
Lake Michigan, bounded on the south by the Illinois State line, and extending north so as to 
reach to and include the tier of townships numbered 10 north; also, Townships 11 and 12 
north, of Ranges 21 and 22 east. Tlie Land Office was located at Milwaukee, where the first 
public sale of Government lands within the new district was held in the spring of 1839. This 
brought into market all the land that had not previously been disposed of. The history of the 
surveys of the several townships now included in Jefferson County, will be found on the following 
page. 



332 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



DESIGNATED SUBVEYS. 



By Whom Made. 



Under Authority of 
Surveyor General. 



Date of Contract. 



Wten Surveyed. 



Township 5 north. Range IS eaat : 

Township lines 

Subdivisions 



Subdivisions ( Re-surveyed i 

Township north, Range 1^ eist: 

Towiisiiip lines 

.Subdivisions 

„,,■.. f He-survevof Sees. 1 
Subdivisions-; - .q " in, 

( (, 18 and lit... | 

Township .7 north, Range IS eisl: 

Township lines 

Subdivisions 

Township .5 north. Range 16 east: 

Township lines 

Subdivisions 

TownMp G north. Range IS east : 

Town.ship lines 

Subdivisions'. 

Township north. Range I4 east: 

To vnship lines 

Subdivisions 

Township G north. Range 15 east: 

Township lines 

Subdivisions 

Township G north, Range 16 east : 

Township lines 

Subdivisions 

Township 7 north. Range 13 east: 

Township lines 

Subdivisions 

Township 7 north. Range I4 east : 

Township lines 

Subdivisions 

Township 7 north. Range 15 east: 

Township lines 

Subdivisions 

Townshifi 7 n'^rth. Range 16 east: 

Township lines 

Subdivisions 

Township S north. Range 13 east: 

Township lines 

Subdivisions _ 

Township S north. Range l.'f east: 

Township lines 

Subdivisions 

Township S north, Range 15 east: 

Township lines — North and West.. 
South and East... 

Subdivisions 

Township S north. Range 16 east: 

Townsliip lines 

Subdivisions 



,,,,.,„., ,, u . T T .1 r July 29, 1831 First quarter 18S4. 

Mullett \ Brink. ..'Kobert T. Lytle....: < . ■' ,- iqqe o .u . loos; 

■' \ Aug. 1 /, loao Fourth quarter IS-i.s. 

II. Burnham Robert T. Lyile. .. Dec. 26, 1835... Third quarter 1836. 

Levi P. Gilbert Warner Lewis Feb. 27, 1858...' \ ^P"";"' !>"'' -q^^' 

' ( First qu r lBo9. 

, .\Iullelt vV P.riuk... Robert T. Lytle.... .\ug. 17, 18.36... First quarter 1836. 
, H. Burnham Robert T. Lytle.... Dec. 20, 1835... Third quarter 1836. 

. Levi P. Gilbert Warner Lewis Feb. 27, 1858...; Fourth quarter 1858. 



, MuUett & Brink... Robert T. Lytic.. 
. H. Burnham Robert T. Lytle.. 

. MuUett & Brink... Robert T. Lytic.. 
. Rob't Clark, .Jr.... Robert T. Lytic. 

. Mulletl & Brink... Robert T. Lytle.. 
. II. Burnh.im Robert T. Lytle.. 

Mullctt >'c Brink... Robert T. Lytic. 
. H. Burnham Robert T. Lytic. 

. Mullet t ><: Brink. . Robert T. Lytic, 
. H. Burnham Robert T. Lytle., 

. MuUett & Brink... Robert T. Lytic, 
. H. Burnham Robert T. Lytic, 

. MuUeit & Brink... Robert T. Lytic, 
, .las. H. Mullctt Robert T. Lytic, 



. .-lug. 17, 1835... First quarter 1836. 
. Dec. 26, 1835... Third quarter 1836. 

. .\ug. 17, 1835... Fourth quarter 1835. 
.Jan. 19, 1836... Second quarter 18.36. 

..Inly 29, 1833... First quarter 1834. 
. Dec. 26, 1835... Second quarter 1836. 

. .Aug. 17, 1835... First quarter 1836. 
. Dec. 20, 1835... Sccoud quarter 1836. 

. Aug. 17, 1835... First quarter 1836. 
. Dec. 26, 1835... Fourth quarter 1836. 

.Aug. 17, 18.35... First quarter 1836. 
. Dec. 26, 1835... Fourth quarter 1836. 



. MuUett & Brink... Robert T. Lytic 
.J. H. MuUett Robert T. Lytic 

. MuUett & Brink... Robert T. Lytic. 
..I. H. MuUett Robert T. Lytic 



, MuUett & Brink... Robert T. Lytic, 
.1. H. MuUett Robert T Lytic, 



..luly 29, 1833... First quarter 1834. 
. AprU 13, 1836... Fourth quarter 1836. 

r July 29, 1833 First quarter 1834. 
■ \ Aug. 17, 1835 First quarter 1836. 
. AprU 13, 1836... Fourth quarter 1836. 

... Aug. 17, 183.5... First quarter 183 ■. 
... April 13, 1836... Fourth quarter 1836. 

. First quarter 1836. 
.Third quarter 1836. 



MuUett ,*i Brink... Robert T. Lytic, 
.1. II. MuUett Robert T. Lytic, 



, MuUett & Brink... Robert T. Lytic, 
. J. II. .MuUett Robert T. Lytic, 

. MuIIelt & Brink... Robert T. Lytic, 
. MuUett ,V Brink... Robert T. Lytic, 
, .1. H. MuUett Robert T. Lytic, 



.MuUett i Brink... Robert T. Lytle., 
.1. H. Mullctt Robert T. Lytic, 



.Aug. 17, 1835., 
. April 15, 1836., 

..luly 29, 1833., 
. April 13, 1836., 

.July 29, 1833., 
.April 13, 18.36. 

.July 29, 1833. 
. Aug. 17, 18.55., 
.AprU 13, 1836. 

.Aug. 17, 1835., 
. April 13, 1836. 



. First quarter 1834. 
. Fourth quarter 1836. 

. First quarter 1834. 
.[Fourth quarter 1836. 

.First quarter 1834. 
. First quarter 1836. 
. Fourth quarter 1836. 

.'First quarter 18.36. 
.Third quarter 1836. 






HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUSTTY. 333 



GENERAL HISTORY. 



The eventful history of Wisconsin has already been made the theme of the orator and pan- 
egyrist. The first settlement of the State is said to have been that established in 1639, by the 
Jesuit Fathers, at Green Bay. In 1783, Prairie du Chien was settled, and, as early as 1800, or 
a few years later, settlements were made in the southwestern part of the State, by adventurers, 
attracted by the lead mines in that section. It is generally conceded that the Black Hawk war 
was instrumental in directing the attention of emigrants to future Wisconsin, and from that 
date, settlers began to arrive in such numbers that, on the 26th of April, 1836, a Territorial 
Government was organized by an act of Congress. 

These hardy pioneers, isolated from the world, so to speak, in an inhospitable climate, sub- 
jected to privations and dangers no limner's magic touch can more than imperfectly illustrate, 
came to this sterile waste of those days, determined to establish a new home ; and the present 
high position Wisconsin occupies in the galaxy of States composing the Federal Union, testifies 
how perfectly they laid the foundations. Through moments of distress and darkness; through 
hours of solicitude and keen pain, when the heart was heavy with care and life seemed at best a 
burden too grievous to be borne, they continued in their work, for the future was gilded with a 
promise that hovered over the picture and the shadows stole away. Insensible and cold and 
unfeeling the soul that does not warm at the memory of these pioneers who prepared the way 
for coming generations. Dead the heart that would not throb at such memories. To-day, no 
shadows stalk across the path of enterprise and industry, as did then ; no sorrows intrude their 
melancholy presence, no ghastly specter mocks the onward march. There was naught of glitter 
and glare about the efforts of those men ; all was pure gold. Their lives were cast in heroic 
molds, and they were strengthened for the contest with uncertainty and fate. Their advance 
was impeded by every obstacle, their pathway obscured by clouds, which sometimes cleared 
away only to reveal the unseen sorrows beyond. But they persevered, and the prosperity of 
to-day is the fruit of their labors. Many of them live to rejoice in the peace and happiness to 
which they were instrumental in giving birth, and many of them are gone to reap the rewai'd of 
lives well spent. Some of them died laboring for the welfare of their fellow -men, like a stanch 
soldier at his post ; some of them died in the quieter walks of life amid associations incompa- 
rably precious. But all of them went down to their graves, monumented by an honor rarely 
achieved in this life — the pure name of true and tender men, without reproach or fear. Their 
names and the influences of their lives are the heritages left for coming generations to emulate. 
The tomb cannot contain them, but they will mingle in the daily walks of life, like unseen 
spirits, guiding and controlling human action. They are not forgotten dead, nor wholly per- 
ished from the face of the earth. '' Their bodies are buried in peace, but their names liveth 
evermore." 

THE EARLY SETTLEMENTS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Under such auspices, and dii'ected by such agencies, was the settlement of Jefferson County 
inaugurated upward of forty years ago. The present flourishing country embraced within its geo- 
graphical limits was at that date a trackless wilderness. No bridges spanned its streams, and the 
adventurous pilgrim into the wilds of Wisconsin traveled for miles in succession before his heart 
was gladdened by the sight of a habitation, or the songs of the woodman who had preceded him 
into the forest. 

The county is bounded on the north by Dodge County, east by Waukesha, south by Wal- 
worth and Rock Counties, and West by Dane. It is four townships wide and four long, and 
comprehends an area five hundred and twenty-six square miles. The county seat is at Jefferson, 
on Rock River, at its junction with the Crawfish, and near the center of the county. It was 



334 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

separated from Milwaukee County by an act of the Territorial Council, approved December 7, 
1836, set off as a separate town for judicial purposes by an act, approved January 2, 1838, and 
polls established at the houses of Nathaniel Finch, David H. Sargent and Geo. J. Goodhue. 

In the fall of 1837, a petition was presented to the legislature, praying for the location of the 
county seat on the point between the two rivers. Instead, it was located on its present site, the act 
of Congress of May 26, 1824, giving counties the pre-emption of a quarter-section for county seat 
purposes. On account of the manner of surveying the county-seat site in Jefferson County, nearly 
two hundred acres were obtained, and H. W. Finch, of Koshkonong, G. J. Goodhue, of Watertown, 
and Capt. Robt. Masters, residing in the bend of the river below Jefferson, were appointed Com- 
missioners to locate, lay off and sell enough to pay the purchase-price and expenses. The prayer of 
petitioners was granted by act adopted January 12, 1838. but it was some time after that the 
Commissioners obtained a certified copy of the same, which when received, was found to contain 
a blank for the name, which Capt. Masters filled up with "Jefferson," the remaining Commis- 
sioners consenting. A surveyor, named West, laid out the village into lots, part of which were 
sold to pay expenses, the remainder being disposed of to Mr. William Sanborn, since deceased. 

The population of the county at this time, according to the statistics, was estimated at 
468. The country lying east of Rock and north of Bark River, was heavily timbered ; and 
what were known as " openings " were distributed throughout other portions, except a few miles 
square near Whitewater, which were and now are prairie. Within the timbered district 
there is a remarkable series of ridges running north and south. In a distance of, say nine 
miles, extending through Range 15, and the west half of range 14, there are no less than sixteen 
of these parallel ridges at a distance of not more than half a mile apart. They extend from two 
to five miles in a northerly and southerly direction, and are gradually attenuated at each extremity. 
Immediately south of these ridges, and along Bark River, there were formerly extensive marshes, 
which, it is supposed, at one time formed the bottom of a large lake. These have since been 
drawn off by drainage and other improvements. Other portions of the country are more gently 
rolling or level, affording excellent facilities for farming and grazing, and are unusually fertile. 

Rock River has its source in Fond du Lac County, and, entering Jefferson County at the 
extreme northeast corner of the town of Ixonia, courses tortuously through that town to the 
north line of the town of Concord, where it is joined by the Oconomowoc River. It then runs 
in a northwesterly direction through the town and city of Watertown, passing again into Dodge 
County, but turns abruptly and flows south back through the town of Watertown, becoming the 
boundary line between the towns of Milford and Farmington, passing through the towns of 
Aztalan, Jefferson and Koshkonong, and leaving the county through Lake Koshkonong, one of 
the most beautiful sheets of water in the Northwest. 

The Crawfish or West Branch of Rock River rises in Columbia County, passes through 
the southwestern portion of Dodge County and enters Jefferson County in the northern portion 
of the town of Milford, passing tiirough that and the towns of Aztalan an<l Jefferson, and 
entering Rock River in the limits of the city of Jefferson. About a mile above Aztalan, there 
is a rapid of two feet fall to the mile, and further north there are a series of rapids. This stream 
affords abundant water-power for all practical uses, as also does Bark River, which enters the 
countv from the east and empties into Rock River near Fort Atkinson. Indeed, Jefferson 
County is peculiarly favored as regards its rivers. In addition to the above, there are Oconomo- 
woc, a considerable stream, the outlet of a series of small lakes in Milwaukee County, the Scup- 
pernong and Whitewater, two important brandies of Bark River, Johnson's Creek, the Kosh- 
konong Creek and a number of other streams which dot the landscape, adding beauty to the scene 
and contributing to the wealth as also to the health and luxury of their vicinities. 

There are two large and many small lakes in the county. Lake Koshkonong is the largest, 
an " inland sea " of exquisite beauty, where one may pass the sultry days of August in an 
atmosphere as pure as kissed the cheeks of Eve in Paradise. It is nine miles in length with an 
average width of about three miles, occupying an area of twenty-one square miles, with a periphery, 
measuring all the sinuosities of the shore, of about thirty miles. Its waters are clear, from 



HISTORY OF JEFFEHSOX COUNTY. 335 

which the shores rise in many places from twenty to sixty feet in height, from the summit of 
which they slope back gracefully for miles on either side, with stretches of woodland between 
fields of grain, meadows, orchards and vineyards, presenting in summer a matchless panorama 
of ever-changing green and gold. Occasionally, these slopes extend to the water's edge, and 
points of land reach out into the lake, appearing to pleasure seekers on the steamers as they pass 
on their zigzag course from point to point, like emeralds set in a band of silver. Scarce a 
minute passes, from sunrise to sunset, that the landscape does not change, the shifting of the 
shadows revealing new beauties as the hours go by ; and when sunset comes, as seen from the 
eastern shores, the bright tinted clouds gradually blend with the crimson until the horizon is 
reached, when the deep, dark lines of the opposite shore shift and change with each breath of wind 
and each second of time, until darkness draws a veil over all, forming a scene of beauty equal to the 
poet's dream of heaven. The same scenery is equally beautifnl by moonlight ; the difference being 
that between the dark paintings of the old masters and the lighter works of the more modern school 
of art. It is easy of access ; three steamers ply its waters for the convenience of tourists, two com- 
modious hotels supply rest and comfort to the traveler, and the Black Hawk Club House furnishes 
accommodations for the hunters who are annually attracted to its confines in pursuit of game. 

Rock Lake, in Lake Mills Township, is nearly three miles long by one mile wide, and 
covers an area of not quite 1,700 acres. Its name is derived from the unusual number of rocks 
which line its shore, in many places several feet in height. It discharges its waters in a north- 
easterly direction, through a small stream, into the Crawfish. 

Ripley and Red Cedar Lakes are both in Oakland ; Goose Lake, Hope Lake, and num- 
berless other expanses of water indent the surface of the county, adding to its beauties and the 
attraction of its surroundings. 

"THE ANCIENT CITY." 

The artificial earthworks (says Dr. I. A. Lapham) located at Aztalan, immediately above 
the " ancient city " from which it derives its name, have been sources of wonder and scientific 
inquiry since their alleged discovery by Timothy Johnson, in 1836. They at that time con- 
sisted of an oblong inclosure, about 550 yards in length by 275 yards in breadth, lying along 
the bank of the river. The walls were twenty-three feet wide at the base, and about five feet 
high, having an exterior semicircular enlargement, or buttress, and a corresponding interior 
recess every twenty-seven yards. In some parts of the wall, and especially in the buttresses, 
the earth of which it is composed appeared to have been mixed with straw and burned in such 
a manner as to resemble slightly burned brick, but there was no evidence that this substance had 
ever been molded into shape. Within this inclosure there are several mounds and excavations, 
in addition to an unusual number of mounds to be found in the immediate vicinity, indicating 
that this spot was once inhabited by a numerous population, which continued to reside there for 
a great length of time. The derivation of the name of the town has been stated, and a little 
fancy only is necessary to locate the home of the Aztecs, whence, according to Humboldt, 
they emigrated to ^Mexico. These works were explored by N. F. Hyer, Esq., soon after their 
discovery, who published an entertaining paper on their supposed origin, and other particulars 
therewith connected. 

It is a well-known fact that Wisconsin is one of the healthiest States in the Union, and 
that Jefl'erson is among the healthiest counties in the State. The winters are usually long and 
severe, but the air is dry, the summers short and cool. These essentials, with the salubrity of 
the climate and purity of the atmosphere, conspire to render its residents free from disease, and 
the possession of the fullest complement of happiness which comes from perfect health. 

HEBRON. 

The permanent settlement of the county was begun in 1836, though what point can sustain 
a claim of precedence in that behalf is almost a mooted question, as it is assorted that occnpntion 



336 HISTORY OF JEFFEHSOX COUNTY. 

of Hebron, Watertown and Aztalan was effected either simultaneously or within so short a time 
of each as to preclude the other from a successful defense of its claim. The evidence, however, 
inclines to the conclusion that Hebron enjoys the distinguished honor of having been selected as 
a point at which to establish a colony before the territory of its rivals had been fully explored 
and decided upon as available for the purposes mentioned. This settlement was made, as is 
alleged by those assuming to be conversant with the facts, under the auspices of the '' Rock 
River Claim Company," which perfected claim to half a section of land on Section 2, embracing 
the water-power of Bark River, about the 25th of December, 1835. This Company consisted 
of sixteen persons, among whom were Solomon Juneau, Dwiglit Foster, Jonas Folts, Enoch G. 
Darling, David H. Sargent, Milo Jones, George Hosmer, L. I. Barber, Daniel Wells, Will- 
iam Paine, William Brown, Thomas Holmes and John Gale. By the Company's direction, the 
first saw-mill erected in JeflPerson County was commenced the following year, under the superin- 
tendence of Alvin Foster, and, notwithstanding the many inconveniences resulting from high 
prices, scarcity of provisions and tlie difficulty of procuring transportation, was urged as a 
necessity. Though the undertaking had not been commenced when Rufus C. Dodge, at present 
residing near Fort Atkinson, was employed on its construction, it was completed and ready for 
work in the winter of 183G-37. In the spring of the latter year, it began operations under the 
management of Enoch G. Darling, who erected a inillhouse during the summer following, the 
first frame building "raised" in the county, and was known as the "Bark River Mills." Mr. 
Darling was at one time the wealthiest man in the city of Jefferson, owning almost the entire 
place. He served in the Black Hawk war and also in Company E, Fourth Wisconsin, in the 
War for the preservation of the Usion, and died in Jefferson in 1864. 

JOHNSON'S MIGRATIONS, ETC. 

This small beginning; formed the nucleus of the settlement of Hebron, and is believed to 
have been the foundation of the present prosperity of Jefferson County, though Timothy John- 
son, during his lifetime, claimed to have been the first man who explored the region now com- 
prised within the county limits, with a view to remaining. Tradition relates that a French 
trader, who employed his time and art in the exchange of needles and Yankee notions with the 
Indians for their furs, and held court at the junction of the Rock and Crawfish Rivers, antici- 
pated the coming of Johnson for a number of years, but as this is only tradition, it is not cited 
as fact. Johnson was born at Middletown, Conn., on the 28th of June, 1792, and, when ten 
years of age, removed with his father to Lewis County, N. Y. After running the gamut of the 
Southern States, as also the State of New York, he removed to Montville, Medina Co., Ohio, in 
1828. He remained there seven years, and then continued his journey westward, reaching 
Racine, then a village, at that time composed of four shanties, in January, 1836. In February, 
after visiting Wisconsin City, sojourning a brief time at the house of Samuel St. John, wiiose 
wife is reputed to have been the first white woman to settle in that portion of the Rock River 
Valley, and meeting Solomon Juneau, who, with Milo Jones, Thomas Holmes and others, had 
been prosj)ccting up the river as far as Jefferson, he purchased a stock of provisions, and began 
his pilgrimage into the woody fastness. During that month, he came up Rock River and built 
a shanty on the east side of the stream, about two miles below the present city of Jefferson, 
nearly opposite the first residence of the late Capt. Masters, which at that time had not been 
constructed ; using this as a base of operations, he made a number of excursions into the sur- 
rounding country, visiting Watertown, Aztalan and other points. In June of the same year, he, 
in company with Richard Miller, Reeve Griswold, Charles Seaton and Philander Baldwin, went 
Rock River in a canoe in search of a location. Reaching and examining the rapids near 
lere Watertown now is, and being attracted by the beauty of the location not more than by the 
advantages presented for settlement, he determined to remain, and made daitns to about one 
thousand acres of land eligibly situated on both sides of the river. In July following, George 
J. Goodhue and Tyler Moore came into the country from Beloit, and settled upon Johnson's 



up R( 
wliere 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 337 

3laims on the east side of the river. Johnson was absent at the time, but upon his return Good- 
bue ife Co. refusing to vacate, a sale of the land was made to thera for $224, Johnson and Gris- 
tvold each receiving $112. About the same time, he sold his claim in Aztalan, including the 
■'ancient city," to James Brayton and Judge Hyer. During that summer, Mr. Johnson, with 
the assistance of Philander Baldwin, Reeve Griswold and Charles Seaton, cut a road from Jeft'er- 
3on to Watertown, on the east side of the river, and a road from Jefferson to the town of Concord. 
He also built a cabin on the west side of the river, within the present city of Watertown, and, 
in the fall, proceeded to Milwaukee to escort his family to their new home. He returned without 
lelay, and after encountering hardships and privations innumerable, reached Watertown on the 
10th of December, 1836, at night, Mrs. Johnson being the first white woman to settle in that 
cicinity, and the family the second in the county. 

Sylvester Wolcott, an early settler in this portion of the county, furnishes some interesting 
Facts and figures regarding his advent into the Territory, from which the following is appro- 
priated : 

His father, Levi Wolcott, a person well known to the early settlers, was born in Weath- 
?rsfield. Conn. Being of an adventurous disposition, he went to Ohio, and remained there until 
liis mother died. After the death of Mr. Wolcott's mother, his father and himself came to 
Wisconsin to seek their fortunes. It was rather a risky undertaking for an old gentleman si.xty 
years of age to try his luck in a trackless wilderness, without friends and destitute of property, 
there to suffer tiie hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. In the spring of 1836, 
they came as far as Chicago. At that time, this flourishing metropolis was only a small village 
of some twenty-five houses and shanties, which were built on a low, flat piece of prairie. They 
stayed there over night, and in the morning, started up Lake Michigan for Milwaukee. Arriving 
there, they found it to be a small place with not more than twelve shanties, which were built 
close to the lake. Solomon Juneau kept a small warehouse near the edge of the lake, where 
provisions and furs were stored, that he had obtained from the Indians. The site on which 
Milwaukee is now located was marshy and swampy, a good portion of it, also, being covered 
with tamarack trees. It was a good place to hunt muskrat and ducks, but the small colony that 
then lived there never imagined it would be a point of such commercial interest and value 'as it 
now is. 

After staying is Milwaukee one day, they came west as far as Prairieville. This was a 
desolate-looking place, with only one house to cheer the traveler on his lonely way. Nothing 
but trees was visible on all sides, and to any one not accustomed to traveling through forests, 
progress in any direction seemed almost impracticable. From Prairieville, they went a short 
distance south on the Fox River, where they made a claim and built a shanty. Here they lived 
during the summer of 1836, spending a good portion of their time in hunting and fishing. 
There was a large number of Indians living in this section, as wigwams were the only tenements 
on both sides of Fox River. Mr. Wolcott recollected distinctly that one old Indian had 
his wigwam pitched very close to where their shanty was situated. This old Indian had a boy 
about his age (seven years) and size. To please the old folks, the boys were called out on 
numerous occasions to run races and wrestle together. The Indian boy would generally beat 
Sylvester in the chase, but in wrestling they stood about even. These sports delighted the old 
people immensely, and they gave to the relator the health, nerve and muscle necessary to endure 
the hardships, in liis youthful days, of a wild and uncultivated country. The Indians, although 
numerous in this section, were always friendly, and the few white settlers who found an abode 
among them dealt and traded, without fear of being molested. 

After living on the Fox River during the summer, they left this place late in the fall of 
1836, on a visit to Indiana. They remained away some six months, but, on returning, they 
found, to their great astonishment, that a stranger had come to Prairieville, and had jumped 
their claim. He occupied their shanty, and, although they protested against his holding it, 
they were obliged to seek " fiesh fields and pastures new." From there they went fiirther west, 
until they reached Rock River at Johnson's Rapids, now known as Watertown. On reaching 



338 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

their destination, they found one double log house standing where the late Peter Kelly's build- 
ing is now situated on First street. They reached Johnson's Rapids on the 12th day of May, 
1837. About this time, Mr. George Goodhue built the first saw-mill that was used in the set- 
tlement. Considerable difficulty was experienced in getting provisions to keep the men at work, 
as the nearest market place where these supplies could be had was Beloit. Finding it difficult 
to carry on any traffic between the new settlement and the then village of Beloit, Mr. Luther 
A. Cole, at the head of a number of industrious men, began tlie work of laying out a roadway 
to Milwaukee. After this road was opened, obtaining provisions was not so difficult an under- 
taking as it had been. 

Before leaving Prairieville, however, in the spring of 18.37, a little incident happened that 
Mr. Wolcott related. A horse belonging to his father had suddenly disappeared and was lost 
in the woods. He went to look for it, leaving Mr. W. in the care of one of the settlers. As 
he remained away longer than he expected, and fearing that he had met with some accident, 
Mr. W. started to look for him. In following a track that led to a river, it was impossible for 
him to continue the search without crossing it, so he went into the water thinking to ford across, 
but the current was running so rapidly at the time that he, in search of his father, was carried 
down the stream at a furious rate. Being able to swim, he managed to keep his head above the 
water until he got hold of a cluster of willows and crawled out. 

When Mr. Wolcott and his father reached the old log hut on Johnson's Rapids, the men 
that occupied it were in a most pitiable condition. Starvation for several days was staring 
them in the face. All they had to eat was the fish they could catch below the dam, and these 
were eaten without salt. Pork and potatoes in those days were considered luxuries. The former 
was usually cut up in slices and placed on the stove to roast. After remaining at the Rapids a 
short time, they went a few miles south along the river, until they reached an old Indian clear- 
ing by the side of a beautiful lake. This lake at that time was clear and lim])id. They made 
a claim at this point and ever since this sheet of water has been known as Wolcott's Lake. In 
getting provisions from Milwaukee, they encountered great difficulty. The roads, as a general 
rule, were almost impassable. No single team would dare go to Milwaukee unattended by con- 
siderable help. The settlers used to go in groups, so that whenever any of the wagons hap- 
pened to get mired, all hands would unite to extricate it. If a team starting from Jolinson's 
Rapids could go to Milwaukee and bring back two barrels of flour and one of pork and a few 
other light articles in a week's time, it was considered doing well. In 1838, a great many set- 
tlers came and located on Rock River. It was thought then that the river would soon become 
navigable and be a great water-course. It was expected that a canal would be constructed to 
connect Lake Michigan with tlie head-waters of the river a few miles below the Rapids. The 
Government appropriated a tract of land for the purpose, but the project was soon abandoned, 
and, in 1842, the land was placed in the market. Among the first settlers along the river were 
Mr. Chadwick, A. Boomer, David Temple, Oliver Bennett, John Fitzgei'ald, Mr. Cushman, 
Mr. Grey, Samuel Harmison, Marks Doestrander, Dudley Little, Timothy Powell, Isaac Har-' 
mison, Mr. Phillips and Mr. Bushnel. 

In 1839, the settlers began to raise some grain, consisting chiefly of corn and wheat. They 
were quite successful in this pursuit, but to get it ground was a hard task, as they were obliged 
to go to Beloit. There was not a board or shingle used to build the settlers' houses. Some of 
them had no floors, but instead, pieces of timber called puncheon were placed on the ground to 
answer in place of floors. Roofs were made of bark peeled from trees, with chimneys running 
up from them made of sticks plastered together with clay. Forty years ago, mails were carried 
on horseback, traveling done by stage, and shipping done by water. There has also been 
a marvelous change in agricultural and mechanical pursuits. The pioneers of this county 
were made up, generally, of young, healthy and robust men, who were not afraid to face danger 
or to endure hardships to obtain free and good homes. But they are fast passing away, and 
in a short time it will be diflicult to find any of the old pioneers that settled here in 1837 or in 
1838. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 339 

In the spring of 1837, the family of James Rogan was added to the population of the set- 
tlement, also several young bachelors. Among the latter were Amasa Hyland, Luther A. Cole, 
John W. Cole, John Richards, Silas W. Newcomb, Calvin M. Boughton, William M. Dennis 
and Peter V. Brown. In the month of May, of that year, George J. Goodhue built a double 
saw-mill and put a dam across Rock River, the first ever built on that stream, either in Wiscon- 
sin or Illinois. The mill was ready for work in December following and began to turn out lum- 
ber. In 1841, James Rogan erected another saw-mill on the west side of the river, which was, 
in the fall of 1812, purchased by Cole, Bailey & Co., who, in 1843, built what was long known 
as the " old yellow grist-mill." The population at that time numbered about two hundred, and 
the site of the present city of Watertown was laid out in blocks and lots, Milo Jones, still living, 
a resident of Fort Atkinson, being the surveyor. It might be stated here, the claim is made in 
Watertown that the first death in the county occurred near that place, in January, 1837, being 
that of Thomas Bass, thus contradicting the generally accepted belief that E. Foster, Sr., who 
died near Fort Atkinson, October 10, 1837, was the first to depart this life in Jefferson County. 
It seems that Bass, together with Charles Seaton and Ezra Doliver, while on a "lark," took 
refuge in a log house which stood near the present site of Doering's Mill. While there, Ba?s acci- 
dentally fell into the fire, receiving injuries which caused his death in a short time. This, unless 
successfully contradicted, disposes of the question finally. A coffin from hewn pieces of bass- 
wood was prepared and the remains interred a short distance from where the old schoolhouse 
stood in 1853, the prayer on that occasion being oflered by William Brayton, of Aztalan. 
Rumors that his death was caused by violence being circulated, a Coroner from Milwaukee 
caused the remains to be disinterred and an inquest to be held. At its conclusion, Doliver and 
Seaton were arrested and taken to Milwaukee, where they were tried and acquitted. 

FOKT ATKINSON. 

The settlement of Hebron and Fort Atkinson are intimately associated, that of the latter 
following the former only by a few months. According to one account, the first settlement was 
not made there until about October, 1836, when Dwight Foster, brotlier of Alvin Foster, upon 
the solicitation of the " Rock River Claim Company," came from Milwaukee, accompanied by 
David Bartlett and William Pritchard, and selected a spot eight miles west of Bark River Mill, 
near the old fort — Pritchard and Bartlett remaining to build a cabin while Foster i-eturned to 
Milwaukee, for his family. 

Mr. Foster, in his account, places the arrival of himself and companions at the fort at an 
earlier date, for he states that the erection of the cabin was cpramenced on the 2d of September, 
1836. He was formerly from Madison County, N. Y., whence he departed in May, 1836, 
and i)roceeded to Oswego, where he embarked on a schooner for Milwaukee, arriving at his 
destination in June. Having secui'ed comfortable quarters for his family at that point, he can- 
vassed the country for a place to locate, and, after spending considerable time in viewing lands, 
decided to settle at Fort Atkinson. At the date above mentioned (September 2), he commenced 
building a log cabin on the east side of Rock River, a short distance above the fort. When the 
work on the cabin was well underway, he returned to Milwaukee for his family, which consisted 
of his wife and a child three years old (now Mrs. C. Southwell, of Milwaukee). He left that 
city on the 2d of November, 1836, accompanied by Aaron Rankin, for his home in the wilder- 
ness. Their progress was slow, however. The first night out the company lodged near Prairie- 
ville (now Waukesha) in a shanty owned and occupied by Mr. Walton ; the second day Muck- 
awanago was reached and Mr. Ranus, a resident of that settlement, ofliciated as host ; the third 
day they arrived at Troy, and on the fourth day night overtook them on Rock Prairie, where 
they were obliged to encamp, supperless and without shelter. Mr. Foster was taken sick that 
night and the outlook was decidedly gloomy. The following morning, they resumed their 
journey, and during the day arrived at .Janesville, where Mr. Foster was compelled by sickness 
to take to his bed. He recovered, however, sufficiently to continue the trip on the ne.xt day, 



340 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

but, in attempting to strike the army trail, became bewildered in the prairie fog and wandered 
about until noon. The day was dark and gloomy, and at night they halted at Otter Creek, where 
one of their horses f^ll down in the harness completely e.xhausted. That evening, Rankin shot 
a prairie chicken, which, with some potatoes purchased at Janesville, constituted their supper. 
It soon commenced raining in torrents, and, to add to their discomfort, the horses wandered off, 
and considerable time was lost in searching for their whereabouts. They were secured and the 
coinjjany kept on, reaching their cabin at 2 o'clock the same day, which had been completed 
and was then occupied by Pritchard and Bartlett. On reaching home, Mr. Foster learned that 
two yoke of oxen belonging to him had strayed and were not to be found. Flour and pork 
began to be scarce and he dispatched Bartlett to Milwaukee for supplies, which he failed to 
obtain. Luckily, he had a barrel of flour at Prairieville, which Bartlett went for and obtained, 
freighting the same to Rock River, three miles above the fort, on a crotched stick of timber 
drawn by o.xen. Tlie river at that time was covered by ice not sufficiently strong to bear any 
considerable weight, and Bartlett followed the stream down to its junction with Bark River, 
where, by felling a tree and the help of a canoe, he succeeded in getting over, leaving the flour 
and oxen on the opposite side. The next day, Mr. Foster, with the assistance of Bartlett and 
Rankin, drew the barrel on the ice, which had become stronger, and, after getting it into the 
river a number of times, at last got it housed in the cabin. His wife and daughter were the 
first white women and the first white family domiciled in the county of Jefferson. 

The excitement produced in the Eastern States by the settlements in Wisconsin was great, 
and many, hearing of the success of their former neighbors and others, hastened to avail them- 
selves of the opportunities afforded for fortune and distinction in the Northwest. Fort Atkin- 
son receive<l accessions at intervals during the years immeiliately succeeding its settlement, and 
among those who came were the families of Edwin N. and Alvin Foster, Rufus C. Dodge and 
family, the Winslows, the Finches, the Crane boys, E. Foster, Sr., and wife, Calvin West, E. 
Kinney, Charles Rockwell, and Aaron Allen and family, with numerous others who have left no 
record of their experiances. 

E. Foster, Sr., died October 10, 1837, and was buried on the hill to the east of the settle- 
ment, Charles Rockwell reading the funeral service of the Episcopal Church at his interment. 
His death is recorded as the first to take place in the county, but. as has been stated, that of 
Thomas Bass, near Watcrtown. in January, 1837, claims precedence. 

The first birth in the county occurred at Fort Atkinson, as also did the first marriage, the 
former being E. J., a son of E. N. Foster, and the latter the marriage of William Pritchard. 

Mrs. Mary Turner, a pioneer lady, relates her experiences and observations in Jefferson 
County about Fort Atkinson, during the days when modes of life were rude and the surround- 
ings anything but pleasant. Her contribution was published in the Jefterson Banner of June 
10, 1875, in which she says: " We came to W^isconsin in tlie fall of 184;'); stayed in Bark 
River woods, now called Hebron, through the winter, and then, one bright morning in 1846, 
we took our few household goods on one wagon, and two yoke of oxen, started for our fann at 
Oakland Center, purchased the fall before, but which I had never seen. As the wagon went 
trundling on throuirh the woods, I remember the road was very roufrh, and so, with mv babe in 
my arms, I ])referred walking most of tlie way. And here let me say I was not unmindful of 
the grandeur and beauty of the forest of that early time. The old trees that had swung their 
naked branches in the wintry winds, were then putting out their garments of loving green ; and 
theti there were sudden scamperings among the dry leaves, and squirrels bounded past and 
darted up the trees and cliattered from the boughs as if they expected us in hot pursuit. The 
songs of the birds had that peculiar musical melody known only to the woods. And then, for 
the first time, I saw the spring flowers of Wisconsin. They looked so fresh, peeping from their 
beds of dry leaves, tliat I often turned aside to pluck them ; and, as I did so, I was reminded of 
Eastern friends that had hunted with me the first spring flowers of York State, in my girlhood. 
Taking it altogether, that walk was not an unpleasant one. After some three or four hours' travel^ 
we came to a marsh — I know I could not find that path to-day — and as I saw the feet of the cattle 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOJ^ COUNTY. 341 

sink deep into the mire, I gave one look over that marsh, and it seemed almost as dangerous as 
i voyage across the ocean. We had gone but a few rods when down went our wagon clear to the 
bubs in mud on one side ; I was quickly off on the other, and stood by the cattle while my hus- 
band ran back to the nearest house for assistance. He soon made his appearance with a man — 
I think his name was Huzzy — and never shall I forget the broad, honest faces of his cattle and 
their sinewy limbs ; with their united strength, our wagon was soon out. I did .not dare trust 
myself on a seat so dangerous again, so, with my babe in my arms, I skipped from log to log, 
crossed the marsh, and took a seat on the hard land on the other side. As I sat there, watch- 
ing the team slowly coming up, I was not at all discouraged with the prospects of coming 
West, for I thought we should go back in a few years, rolling in wealth. Such is the illusion 
3f youth. 

" There was a beautiful haze hung over Wisconsin that day, and, as I sat there, a band of 
little gophers came and played around me. I had never seen one of these animals before, and 
;heir peculiar striped and spotted backs excited my curiosity ; I remember thinking they were a 
iind of calico chipmunk, and could almost touch them with my hand. I thought, at the time, 
;hey were not familiar with the human face and knew no fear; and I think so still, for I have 
lever seen any so tame since. At length my husband drew up, and said there was a little village 
ust beyond, where we would stop and refresh the cattle. I told him the hot sun had made me a little 
;ick and faint and I did not care for a very substantial meal, but he might purchase a few crackers 
uul a little cheese, if they had them. I again took a seat upon the wagon, and it seemed an 
ncredible short space of time when lo ! the little village burst upon our view. And it was a 
ittle village in every sense of the word, I can tell you — the present village of Fort Atkinson. 
3ur team drew up in front of Uncle Dwight Foster's tavern, and, though I had never seen 
lim, his name had become a household word in Bark River woods, and a stranger at that time 
vould have thought everyone had an " Uncle Dwight," as he was familiarly called, all the coun- 
ry round. I went in, and I never shall forget how clean Mrs. Foster's kitchen was. And here 
et it be known, that it is my mission to tell everything that happened that day, just as I remem- 
)er it now. Mrs. Foster was making dried-apple pies and seasoning them with nutmeg, and the 
iroma was very pleasant. She was flitting back and forth from her pantry to her oven, as busy , 
LS a bee. There was a man and his wife boarding there, and their eldest child, a little girl, 
eemed to be a privileged character. She was hopping and jumping, and running hither and 
roil, all over the house. I took a seat in the dining-room, and presently Uncle Dwiglit appeared 
vith the crackers and cheese, which he handed to me with a kindly word. I remember thinking 
it the time I had never seen so genial a countenance before, and I know I never have since. He 
Vint, and I was left alone, when, all at once, that little girl came bounding up, and, child-like, 
vith one sweep of her little hand, deposited almost all of ray crackers and cheese into her little 
ipron, and off she went into the bar-room. Here, then, was a dilemma. 1 did not like to rise and 
bllow, so I was about consoling myself with my loss, when Uncle Dwight saw them in her apron. 
:Ie opened the door again and his genial countenance beamed in upon me. He seemed to com- 
)rehend the situation at once, and he said, " Here, my young lady, you are a little out of your 
iphere," and he immediately brought in another plate of crackers and cheese. As I sat there, 
mjoying my lunch, I cast my eyes out into the kitchen, where Uncle Dwight's daughter, Celestia, 
vas seated rather lazily in her chair, and, with scissors, thimble, needle and thread, preparing to 
Iress a doll for this same little girl. She measured for waist and sleeves and then for a skirt, 
)ut she somehow seemed to think the task of putting them together too laborious when once cut. 
Vll at once a bright thought seemed to strike her. She cut a piece of cloth perfectly round, 
hen she clipped two little holes for arms and one for the head, then drew the piece on over the 
lead of the doll, poked the arms through, tied a string around the waist, and that doll was dressed 
n a jiffy. She took it by the head and handed it to the little girl, saying, " Here, I have worked 
ill I am going to for you to-day." How many, many times since that day, when my own little 
;irl.s have been playing around the floor with their dolls, have I dressed them after Celestia's 
eamless method — and never have I so dressed one but I thought of her. She seemed a child of 



842 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COl'XTY. 

some seven or eiglit summers, at that time. She wore the same countenance then that she wears 
to-day, and the same good heart was beating in her bosom. She is now the wife of Mr. South- 
Well, of Fort Atkinson. 

" At length the cattle were brought around and I again took a seat in the wagon. Uncle 
Dwight came out and gave me a kind word of cheer, and we soon found ourselves nearing Rock 
River bridge. I remember thinking it a very frail and flimsy concern. It had no railing on 
either side ; it was not much like the noble structure that spans that river to-day. I remember 
thinking as we neared it, ' now we must drive exactly in the center or those boards will tip 
up,' and when the feet of the cattle struck the bridge I thought. ' now if they should crowd as 
cattle sometimes do, there will be no room for either ox, and oif we shall go.' But notwith- 
standing all my foolish fears, we crossed that bridge in safety, and there was nothing happened 
worthy of note until we had gone about five miles on our journey, and were nearing the farms 
of James and Jerod Crane. The shades of night were gathering around us, and the cattle that 
had started out so spry and willing in the morning, now seemed weary and worn, as they moved 
with a slow and measured tread. We were congratulating ourselves that we were almost at the 
end of our journey, when down went the wagon again up to the hubs in mud. Presently James 
and Jerod appeared upon the scene with tlieir cattle. There are many of the old settlers of 
to-day who will remember that gay, laughing, fun-loving Jerod. It took them some time to get 
the wagon out of that monstrous mud-hole. Jerod laughingly said, ' there is no sense in a man 
that will settle in the road when the land is so cheap in Wisconsin.' I thought I would walk 
along and let the team overtake me, but in passing the house of Mrs. James Crane, she stood in 
the door and hniled me with a polite 'good morning.' It looked so inviting there, and she 
seemed so friendly with all, that I turned aside and for the first time entered her house. She 
seemed overjoyed with the prospect of a new neighbor. She brought new milk for my babe, and 
she and James oftered us the hospitality of their house for the night, but we were young and 
ambitious then and determined to reach our destination that night. So I again took a seat upon 
the wagon, and when our team drew up in front of our log house at Oakland Center, the people 
that were stopping there for a few days were all in bed and sound asleep. Shades of Robert 
Bonner! think of that, ye fast ones. From Hebron to Oakland Center, from dewy morn 'till 
pitch-black night, a distance of about fifteen miles. They soon roused themselves from their 
slumbers, however, and we were kindly received, and I think our dreams were pleasant. 

" And here I would like to tell something of our seven years in Oakland. I could tell of 
the foot-paths running through the meadows, where we went to and fro in getting acquainted 
with our new neighbors. I could tell of sickness, sorrow and death ; for troubles we had, and 
severe ones. I could tell how our kind neighbors came from over the fields, and closed the eyes 
and folded the iiands (so kindly and so lovingly) over the bosoms of our dead ones. I could tell 
of a spring of pure cold water that boiled and bubbled near our door, and from it ran a tiny 
brook, and all day long the little waves danced and sung, and I thought they had such a joyous 
flow. But the summer after our great sorrow, as I sat in mylow cabin door, the little waves 
seemed to sigh, and sob, and gurgle, and murmur as they bounded on over the pebbles, and 
every night there would come a mourning dove and set himself down by the little brook and 
seem to sing to us of our lost ones. In speaking of my neighbors of that earlj' day. I cannot 
forbear mentioning one name — Levi Franciscoe's wife of Oakland, and I think it is not saying 
too much when I say no better woman lives. Yes, Ester, ' We have been friends together, in 
sunshine and in shade.' " 

AZTALAN 

was first visited for a place of settlement by Timothy Johnson and Thomas Brayton, on 
the 31st of October, 1836. The latter left "his home in the State of New York for the 
Far West, as it was then called, September 2, 1836. After attending to the shipping of his 
household effects, from Sackett's Harbor and Lewiston, he came overland to Michigan City, 
where himself and family took passage on the schooner Martin Van Buren for Milwaukee. A 



'''^'"" 




^Xyyi LA^ iJ^i^j 



^/-a. 



WATERTOWN 



HISTOKY OF JEFFERSO:^ COUNTY. 345 

Stress of weather obliged the craft to land at Chicago, where she was run into and sunk, Mr. 
Brayton continuing his journey to Milwaukee by land, arriving there on the 12th or l-ith of 
October of the same year. There he left his family, and with Walter Hyer, N. F. Hyer, Timo- 
thy Johnson and Reuben Keene, started for Rock River on the 26th of that month. After five 
days "tramping" through the Indian trails, Messrs. Brayton and Johnson reached the "Ancient 
City," the balance of the party, with all the horses, having left them on the 30th of October, 
while the twain made their way up Rock River in a canoe to where a company of men were 
splitting rails, to procure provisions. Having obtained some flour, and remaining with the wood- 
men over night. Brayton and Johnson left them at the break of day and paddled their canoe to 
a point on the Crawfish where they were to meet their comrades, but which, owing to some unex- 
plained reason, they failed to do. After spending a day or more in exploring the country and 
making claims, the company returneil to Milwaukee, and, upon completing preparations there- 
for, once more set out upon their trip to Aztalan re-enforced by William Brayton, Stephen 
Fletcher, the Rev. J. F. Ostrander and others, and reaching their objective point at the end of 
seven days' journey. Thomas Brayton's house, fitted up for the accommodation of visitors, land- 
lookers, pleasure or hunting parties, was built of logs in the rough, being 16x20 feet in dimen- 
sions, furnished with a " deal table " brought from the East, two or three benches, and chairs 
made on the spot with such tools as an ax, a draw-shave, auger and jack-knife, some with backs 
but more without. The bedsteads were erected in the corners of the house by boring holes in 
the logs at the proper width and length for the beds, into which rails were forced, while the 
vacant corners were supplied with upright pos.ts reaching to the roof on which the end and side 
rails were supported. Mr. Brayton's family arrived in Aztalan on the 1st of July, 1837, being 
the third family in the county, though Capt. Masters had a daughter who kept house for him as 
did Reuben Keene, and Mrs. B. lived four months in her new home without seeing a white 
woman — Miss Keene excepted. 

In the following June, Frederick Laudit, George Hebard, Henry Edwards, James Edwards 
and tiie fomily of Stephen Fletcher settled there. During the fall, there was a number of addi- 
tional arrivals, including James L. Manville and his family. B. B. Chambers and wife came 
West in the spring of 1838. She made a claim to lands which was disputed by Thomas Bray- 
ton and others, who, after a warm contest with the madame, were compelled to acquiesce in her 
demands. It seems that she was a woman who dared to maintain her rights, or fancied rights. 
in defiance of opposition. Her husband, it i^ said, at one time was accustomed to collect into 
his cabin the vagrant Indians who always assemble about a new settlement, and, dosing them 
with fire-water, render the interior of the home himself and wife occupied utterly uninhabitable. 
She commanded him to desist, to which he paid no attention, and, upon a repetition of the 
offense, she stopped up the chimney from the roof, thereby smoking the interlopers, together 
with her liusband, out into the field, and refusing him admission to the domestic hearth until he 
pledged himself to reform. 

Public worship was established in Aztalan in 1837, and, in the spring following, a Baptist 
Church was organized north of the settlement, presided over by Elder Mathews. During his 
pastorate, and in the spring of 1838, Reuben Keenes' three children — Ephraim, Delia and 
Phcebe — were baptized in Crawfish River, in the presence of the settlers and a tribe of Indians. 
In the same spring, Aztaline, daughter of Alfred Brayton, was born, and is claimed to have 
been the first girl born in that vicinity. It might be stated that the first cows imported into 
that section were brought about the same time by Jeremiah Brayton, who procured them at 
Janesville and drove them home, the envied though admired of his neighbors. When that 
gentleman, with his family and a party of settlers, were en route to Aztalan, they reached 
Concord after dark and took possession of a cabin occupied by three bachelor brothers 
named Sacia. The emigrants made their supper on potatoes, and slept on the floor, the 
bachelor hosts keeping guard through the silent watches of the night, standing barefoot in the 
corners of the cabin, nearly paralyzed with amazement at the presence of women in their strong- 
hold. 

c 



346 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

When the pioneer invoice of settlers arrived at the "ancient city" and joined issue for thi 
possession of claims, J. F. Ostrander, Thomas Brayton and N. F. Hyer looked the ground ovei 
and selected an entire section of land for educational purposes. This incident of civilization wai 
to he promoted through the agency of a school, the chief feature of the curriculum of wliicl 
should be a course of "manual labor," with the Rev. Mr. Ostrander as President, Faculty anc 
Dean. Before arrangements had been completed, N. P. Hawks put in his claim to a quarter 
section of the land to be devoted to educational purposes, and, before the projectors of the enter 
prise were aware of the progress that had been made in perfecting title, he had nearly completer 
his cabin. When this fact was brought to the notice of the "Trustees, ' one of the Fosters 
accompanied by James Paine, N. F. Hyer, Henry Pellet, and others, visited the intruder's fielc 
of operations, and proceeded to demolish his castle. While thus occupied. Hawks appeare( 
upon the scene, armed with a ponderous horse-pistol, and, arresting the quartette, marched then 
before Alvin Foster, who held them to appear before the Circuit Court at Milwaukee. Theii 
appearance was never entered, but Hawks remained in undisturbed possession of " Seminary 
Hill," which has thus far been denied occupation by the advocates of a school to be devoted t( 
science and manual labor. 

Among the settlers who established themselves in Aztalan Township previous to 1840 
there were Harvey Foster, Thomas Brayton, Jeremiah Brayton, William Brayton, James L 
Thayer, Captain of the steamer built at Aztalan by N. P. Hawks, in 18oU ; James Paine, H 
H. Sedgwick, J. F. Ostrander, D. Pellet, Henry Pellet, Judge Hyer, George Hyer, Samue 
Hosley, H. L. Foster, James L. Manville, John C. Starkweather, Harvey Smith, N. P. Hawks 
Dr. Delafield, B. B. Chambers, J. M. Brown (who built the stone mill now owned by Richan 
Hooper, on the road between Lake Mills and Milford) Benjamin Baldwin, David Ingram 
Reuben Keene, George Hebard, Benjamin Babcock, Frederick Launt, Capt. Keyes, and others 

In those days, the settlers experienced the utmost difficulty in procuring the neces.saries o 
life, there being a time when Reuben Keene's family existed for three weeks on bull-pouts am 
sheepheads caught in the river. Flour was obtained at the mills in Beloit, Oconomowoc. Rock 
ford. 111., and elsewhere, and, as liquor was a luxury equally as difficult of procuration 
temperance, as a rule, prevailed. One day, when Capt. Keyes had obtained a quantity o 
flour from Thomas Brayton, he started for home, and, to save time and distance, attempted t( 
ford the river. By some means, he miscalculated the depth, and, almost before he was awan 
of it, he walked into a quicksand and narrowly escaped drowning, his flour dissolving into noth 
ingness. When he realized the calamity which had overtaken him, he sat down on the bank am 
sought consolation in tears. The hardships they endured or were compelled to endure, wouh 
appall the stoutest heart of to-day. 

L.AKE MILLS. 

Next in. order of settlement, according to date, was Lake Mills, at which point, on what ii 
now known as "Rock Lake," a settlement was begun early in 1837. How early the initiators 
measures looking to the establishment of a home in this immediate section of the country wen 
undertaken, is not of record. The first authentic account of any being made locates them, as tc 
time, in May of that year, and E. L. Atwood and brother, with Jacob Gause, as the adven 
turous pilgrims. Tiiey came from Massachusetts in 1836, and became of the number o 
ambitious claim-seekers to be found about that time frequenting the highways and by-ways o 
the future enterprising " Cream City," and as soon as they had possessed themselves entirely o 
the object of their visit, which was hitherto vested in Royal Tyler, began to make such improve 
ments of their domain as were in harmony with comfort, if devoid of the luxury, to be seen on theii 
" claims " by the casual observer of to-day. These consisted of a block-house, which was com- 
pleted in the fall, and shielded them from the winter's cold, as also the potatoes they harvestec 
as their winter's store. Early in the following spring new settlers were added to the futun 
village. In the summer, Mr. Atwood's sisters came on from Milwaukee, and, beaming upor 
the settlement like a glint of sunlight across the patJiway of benighted wanderings, added { 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 347 

charm to the wilderness, rich in its emerald foliage theretofore unknown. In the fall, and when 
the forests were freighted witli badges of mourning, not fresh flowers, and the dying year fol- 
lowed the song of the lark and the ruin of tlie rainbow, more settlers came and made for them- 
selves an habitation and a name. These consisted of the parents of Mr. Atwood, their brothers 
and E. L. Atwood and family, with Capt. Joseph Keyes, who too was accompanied by his 
family. The latter appreciating the value of the water-power, began its improvement; and, 
during the year 1839, commenced the building of a mill, which was completed and began 
operations before winter set in. George Farmer and wife, who had gone West with Capt. Keyes, 
returned to Herkimer Co.. N. Y., after they had seen the infant settlement struggle into vitality 
and strength ; and thus was Lake Mills Township to-day a cultivated, fruitful and wealthy factor 
of the county first inhabited. 

The first marriage in the township was that celebrated between Royal Phelps and Rosaline 
Colton, in .January, 1839. Mrs. John Atwood's was the first death, occurring in November, 
1845 ; and William Henry Atwood, son of E. L. and Sarah Atwood, the first birth of which 
there has been any record kept. 

JEFFERSON. 

The settlement of Jefferson Township is accredited to Rodney J. Currier and Andrew Lan- 
sing, who came into the county from the East in December, 1836. and located at a point on 
the northwest quarter of Section 10, where they erected a log cabin. Claims to territory in the 
township had been made prior to this, and Timothy Johnson averred that he had become a resident 
thereof in the February jirevious ; but the settlement perfected by Currier and Lansing is gen- 
erally believed to have been the first permanently established. They enjoyed the same expe- 
rience recorded of others who ventured into the wilds of the West, and though they are rapidly 
becoming mere traditions, there are some of the witnesses left yet, who will recall the incidents 
in those days occurring. The provisions of the settlers were obtained from Milwaukee, where 
$30 was paid per barrel'for pork, $15 for flour and $1G each for transportation. 

The next permanent settler was Capt. Robert Masters. This gentleman left Milwaukee in 
December, 1836, in company with N. F. Hyer, James L. Thayer, John Jones, George Hyer 
and Mr. Van Deven, to take a trip to Rock River for the purpose of making a claim. The 
company reached Rock River about the 24th of the same month, and proceeded thence to where 
Aztalan now stands. He passed Christmas with Lomira Brayton, and then, accompanied by 
Mr. Thayer and two other men, went over to Johnson's Creek. The day following, he drove dowrt 
the Crawfish to its junction with Rock River, near which Mr. Masters marked his claim to the land 
upon which he subsequently resided. The party then continued on their return to Milwaukee, 
taking Fort Atkinson and Bark River en route, arriving home about the last of December. 

On New Year's Day, 18-37, Capt. Masters, with his son Eugene, John Jones and a hired 
man, began his second trip to Jefferson. The company reached Prairieville at dark, wiiere they 
passed the night, and where they fell in with Maj. Meacham, who was supplied with an abun- 
dance of whisky, through the agency of which the night was passed at least pleasantly. 
Capt. Masters reached his claim about the 4th of January, and at once began the erec- 
tion of a shanty, which was finished and a fire kindled on the night of the second day. About 
the 7th of January, Capt. Masters went to Bark River afjter a part of his family ; on hi& 
return, was accompanied by his two boys and daughter Evaline, who was the first white woman 
to settle in Jeft'erson. 

Enoch G. Darling came in August, 1837. He was a native of Vermont, but becoming; 
affected with the prevailing Western fever, started toward that favored region, arriving at Chi- 
cago in 1832, where he erected the second frame building in the present city by the lake. In. 
1835, he went to Milwaukee, where he put up the first storehouse and tavern, remaining there- 
until February, 1837, when he visited Rock River, as the agent of the Rock River Claim Com- 
pany, charged with the work of building a saw-mill, which was then in process of constructior* 
on Bark River, and where he put up the first frame building in the county. 



348 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY 

During this season, Mr. Darling built a boat, and, in the month of August as above stated, 
removed with his family by the way of Rock and Bark Rivers to the place where Jefferson now 
stands, his being the first boat ever floated by a white man on Rock River in Wisconsin. 

Mr. Rufus C. Dodge, at present residing a short distance west of Fort Atkinson, landed a1 
Milwaukee on the 1st day of August, 183G, from Augusta, Oneida Co., N. Y. " After a few 
days' stay," in tliat future city of wealth, he says, " Alvin Foster, David Sargent and mysel; 
started for Bark River on foot, our baggage being packed on one horse. There was no roac 
from Prairieville to Bark River but an Indian trail, nor a shanty on the route or at the latter 
named place. Our lodgings were the best we could find under some large oak. I made but i 
short stay before returning to Milwaukee after my effects, with the intention of working fori 
company which was about to build a saw-mill at Bark River. On the trip from Milwaukee t( 
Bark River, with an ox team, we cut our road thi-ough in four days, a distance of forty-five miles 
The most of the way, however, needed but little cutting, it being openings and prairie. Aftei 
reaching Bark River, we left our team on the east side, crossed over to camp ourselves agair 
under an old oak, and, while as comfortable as we could be, the wolves laid claim to our bag 
gage on the other side of the river, distant some six or eight rods from camp, and, for want o 
something better, pretty nearly devoured my blacksmith's bellows. At this time, the 'neares 
family was at Prairieville on one side and Janesville on the other. * * * * ^ 

******** *** * * * *s 

" The next February," he continues, " I left for the East for my family and returnee 
■with them about the 1st of July, 1837, coming through with teams, finding no grains thii 
side of Chicago, and the teams nearly dead, when I moved with Alvin Foster into a log housi 
on the west bank of Rock River, in the town of Jefferson, my family being the sixth in th( 
house. 

" Aside from whom lived in that house, there were only four or five families in town : non( 
where the village of Jefferson now stands. The next March, I moved on to my farm, where ] 
now live, in the southwestern part of Jefferson. My nearest neighbor at this time on the wes 
was one at the lakes near Madison, some twenty-five miles distant ; and f3r two years after mj 
first arrival in the county, there was not a family in the whole body of timber east of the river 
except at Bark River and Piperville, since Ixonia. That part of Jefferson lying west of th( 
river was rapidly settled, principally by the people from the States of New York and Vermont 
That part lying east of the river, being heavily timbered, settled slower and principally by Ger- 
mans, excepting the village, which is settled by Americans." 

By gradual steps, will it thus be seen, were the several townships composing the countj 
of Jefferson settled. There were other settlements attempted and effected, notably among th( 
latter, Johnson's Creek, all of which are treated in their proper places. Thrift, industry anc 
enterprise have attended all these small beginnings, until to-day the wilderness of half a cen- 
tury ago is a garden smiling with plenty, affording happiness not only to the rich but the poor, 
and indubitable evidence of the character of a people who have been trusted in many high offices 
and critical enterprises, and found faithful in all. 

IXONIA. 

Ixonia, the extreme northeast of Jefferson County townships, was first settled in February 
1838, by Benjamin Piper, wlio came with his family at that date, and established them on s 
farm in the center of the present village of Ixonia. In June, 1835, Mr. Piper left Erie County. 
N. Y., for the Far West, and arrived in Milwaukee about the 1st of July following, where he 
put up for the night at the house of a man named Chase, who resided at the mouth of the river, 
The next day he visited the city, which at that time contained five or six frame dwellings, s 
small tavern, fifteen or twenty log cabins, and one or two groceries. The land in the vicinity o: 
Milwaukee was not surveyed at that time, except a fractional section where the city now stands, 
but the buildings were generally filled every evening by people who had come for the purpose 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 349 

of claiming land. Many of them made money by selling claims to people who were unfortu- 
nate in arriving in town after claims had been made, and, as Mr. Piper was one of these, he 
was compelled to go five miles back of town before he was able to procure a pie(!e of land that 
had not been taken up. 

In the following spring, he went after his family, returning in July and settling upon his 
claim, where they remained until the spring of 1837, when he determined to visit the Rock 
River country, and accordingly started thither in the month of June. He first visited Water- 
town, where he found a few log huts, inhabited by settlers, all strong in the faith of seeing that 
vicinity the head-waters of steamboat navigation within a few years. Encouraged by such flat- 
tering prospects, and being well pleased with the country, he concluded to make a claim on the 
river above Johnson's Rapids, and returned home. In September and October of that year, he 
revisited his claim, in company with his two sons, Harrison and Elijah, and built two log cab- 
ins, one for old Mr. Adams, the other for himself. In December, he again came out, this time 
in company with his son Samuel, finished his house, and, having disposed of his Milwaukee 
property, thereafter was recognized as the first settler in Ixonia. The town was included in 
Watei'town for two or three years, when Towns 7 and 8, in Range 16, were set oif into a sepa- 
rate town by the name of Union. These were again divided, and Town 7 called Concord, Town 
8 I.xonia. 

INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE. 

The county history would be incomplete was not some reference made to the thousand and 
one accidents and incidents which attended .its settlement. The hardships they encountered 
would terrify the modern type of the pioneer; but the "discussions " they had with want, the 
elements, the savages and other incidents, as also their " 'scapes by flood and field," were the 
peculiar concomitants to civilization in a country where, theretofore, savagery, if not uncon- 
doned barbarism had prevailed. Supplementary to these annoyances, was the difiiculty e.xpe- 
rienced in procuring the necessaries of life, and the cost thereof, which was, in some instances- 
extravagant beyond comparison with the choicest luxuries of the present day. 

No better idea of the prices of commodities can be given, than by citing, among other 
facts, that two strangers out prospecting, in the spring of 1837, paid Mrs. Robert Masters 
$1 per peck for oats. At that period, everything was in proportion. Pork was $21 and 
flour $41 per barrel. Oxen were $150 a yoke, and cows .§40 per head. As one of the old 
settlers remarked to the historian, " those days were not as perfect as a day in June." 

WOLVES, INDIANS AND TRIALS. 

But if comforts were scarce and luxuries unknown, wolves and Indians were plenty. 
The latter were not specially dangerous, but wolves would often come up to within a few feet of 
the cabin doors, and steal the settlers' pigs and hens. During the winter of 1841, while 
Benjamin Piper was making his way home from Watertown, one moonlight night, he per- 
ceived a large gray wolf crossing the path immediately in front of him. Pretty soon another 
wolf crossed his way, and, skulking into a clump of bushes, began a blood-curdling howling. 
This was kept up until Mr. Piper reached the clearing opposite his house, when a special 
Providence scared his harassers off, and he escaped injury. 

A similar experience befell the Rev. J. F. Ostrander while making a trip from Aztalan to 
Milwaukee in 1837. He had crossed Rock River on a raft, and followed one trail after another 
until he struck into a deer's trail which led into a thicket of bushes. Night was upon him, and 
gathering a lot of bark, he pitched his quarters in a felled treetop, first starting up a fire to dry 
his wet clothes and thaw his frozen boots. He soon discovered that he was surrounded by a 
pack of lank, lean, savage and hungry-looking wolves, who made night hideous, and reduced 
the unfortunate besieged to a condition of apprehension and discomfort, in comparison with 
which his previous experiences had been, as it were, days of innocent happiness. He had r.n 



3-30 HISTORY OF JEFFEUSOX COUNTY. 

gun witli him, but having heard of tlie mortal fear possessed by the brutes for fire, he caught up 
first one brand and tlien another, cutting all manner of circles with them, capering about as 
actively as a dancing Dervishce, and accompanying the exercise with such yells that the wolves 
were put to flight, and he escaped to Pratt's tavern. 

The Indians, though not as fierce, were equally annoying, and sources of constant wrong and 
solicitude to the settlers lest they should rob them of every portable article available for home 
consumption or utility. One day, while Dwight Foster was approaching his house with a ritlc 
thrown over his shoulder, he discovered a number of Indians about a flour barrel, from which 
one of them was 'distributing the contents. Upon seeing Mr. Foster, the party of thieve; 
escaped to their canoes, into which they jumped and were soon out of reach. The next day. 
the head man of the tribe visited Mr. F., and explaining that the act of the day before had noi 
only been condemned by the tribe, but had entailed punishment on the guilty parties, asked hire 
to smoke the pipe of peace, and bury the occurrence from memory. This was done, and Mr, 
Foster was never troubled again. 

After getting to housekeeping, the same gentleman experienced the utmost difficulty in 
obtaining provisions. lie had sent to Milwaukee after a lot, but, before its arrival, he was 
obliged to depend on his rifle for his daily sup])lies for the family. In this emergency, even thai 
recourse was uncertain ; but, on a lucky trip to the woods, it had supplied him with a coon, and 
it was not until the family was in the act of picking its last bones, on Christmas Eve, that tht 
long looked-for provisions arrived. 

In the fall of 183-5, Mr. Burnett and Mr. Clyman left Milwaukee for Rock River. In 
about a week, Clyman returned, having been woundeil by the Indians, and reported Burnett tc 
have been killed. On receipt of this news, Enoch G. Darling, with ten or twelve others, lefl 
Milwaukee with guns and knapsacks to' find the body of Burnett and chastise the Indians. 
They pursued as far as the )ilace where Mayvillc now stands, where they found the Indian camp 
where Burnett was killed, but no trace of the body, and, being unable to eff'ect its discovery, 
returned to Milwaukee. 

In the spring of 1836, the first post office in the county was established at Aztalan, and. 
there being no mail route to accommodate it, George Ilyer was authorized by the Postmaster at 
Milwaukee to carry the mail through. It was a heavy responsibility — a small leathern pocket, 
such as is now used for way bills, containing two letters and a half-dozen papers, secured as 
became a United States mail bag — and, with this charge Mr. Hyer mounted his pony, and took 
the trail for Rock River. The first day, he reached Prairieville, the second night he passed at 
Rock River Mills, and. the third day. having in crossing a creek mistaken a deer run for the 
trail, he passed the nii?ht in the woods, reaching Rock River the next morninj; at the cabin of 
Capt. Masters, where he was ferried across in a canoe by the Captain's daughter, his pony 
swimming after, thus conferring upon a female the honor of ferrying the first mail across Rock 
River, lie reached Aztalan the same day, and the important event of overhauling the 
"pouch" was performed in the presence of the whole settlement, who individually enjoyed the 
privilege of looking at the letters, the papers being regarded as common property. 

The first steamer to ripple the placid waters of the cheerful Crawfish and jump the rapid.* 
of Rock River, was that constructed by Capt. N. P. Hawks at Aztalan in 1839. During that 
season, the craft was launched and completed, and, under the pilotage of James L. Thayer, who, 
with his "gallant crew," proceeded in the direction of Jeff"erson, where, upon the boat's arrival, 
it was intended that the "merry maidens and the tar" would dream the happy hours away in 
worshiping at the shrine of Terpsichore. Thither sped the gallant craft until she had reached 
a place on the river a short distance above the objective point and nearly opposite the present 
Harvey Foster farm, when "rocks" in the river summarily checked her further advance, and 
there it remained until the cattle from adjoining " openings" were yoked up and these obsta- 
cles removed. The boat then continued to Jeft'erson, where a previously arranged programme 
was concluded, when she proceeded to the Mississippi, and for many years, according to report, 
breasted the angry waves of this inland sea. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 351 

The first ground broken for agricultural purposes in Jefferson is generally accredited to 
Jauies Paine and Squire Brayton. Robert Masters, about the year 1837, procured a set of 
irons made for a breaking plow, at Milwaukee. Not knowing any one near that settlement Avho 
knew how to "wood " the plow, he procured the services of a man near Prairieville to do the 
job, for which he paid him a bagatelle of $11 ; or rather he paid $7 and got trusted for $7, for 
which the laborer trusts him yet. While Capt. Masters was gone to the lakes, Mr. Paine and 
Squire Brayton borrowed the "' tool," and thus was lost to the gentleman to whom the honor 
was exclusively due, the privilege he so dearly coveted. 

HISTORICAL FACTS. 

Tiie first road constructed in the county is said to have been that from Watertown to Jeffer- 
son, Timothy Johnson, Philander Baldwin, Reeve Griswold and Charles Seaton being the 
builders, in the summer of 1836. 

Judge Irvin is stated to have been the first Presiding Judge in the County ; Dr. Lucius I. 
Barber the first Clerk, and E. N. Foster the first Sheriff. 

Squire Brayton is the first Justice the County Records note as having taken the oath of 
office as Justice of the Peace ; though it is a well-known fact that Alvin Foster officiated in 
that capacity previous to 1839. 

Tlie first suit mentioned in the files is an action of replevin, instituted in June, and tried at 
the November term of the Circuit Court, 1839. 

Public worship is reported to have been inaugurated in the county at Aztalan, in 1837. 

COUNTY ROSTER. 

Sheriff.— E. N. Foster, from 1843 to 181.5; L. A. Colo, to 1847 ; Royal Tyler, to 1849; 
Enieas D. Masters, to 1851 ; James Manville, to 1853 ; Austin Kellogg, to 1855 ; Joseph Giles, 
to 1857 ; Edward Rankin, to 1859 ; Joseph Giles, to 1861 ; H. Smith, to 1863 ; George 
Tiucks, to 1865; C. K. Zimmerman, to 1867 ; Joseph Giles, to 1869; Austin Kellogg, to 1871 ; 
Ernest Schwellenbach, to 1873; Ernest Off, elected in 1872, served one year, when the office 
was vacated by his death, when Joseph Giles was appointed his successor, and at the ensuing 
election was chosen Sheriff, remaining in office two years, being succeeded by the election of 
Earl Newton, who remained in office until 1879, when Alonzo Brown, the present officer, was 
awarded the certificate. 

OUrk of the Circuit Court. — J. A. Hadley, from 1849 to 1851, the first election for this 
office of which there is any record ; H. F.' Pelton, to 1853 ; W. H. Besley, to 1855 ; H. F. 
Pelton, to 1857 ; S. T. Clothier, to 1861, having served two terms ; D. Ostrander, to 1863 ; 
John C. Kelley, to 1865, re-elected and remaining in office until 1867, when he was succeeded 
by P. N. VVaterbury, who served four terms, ending in 1875 ; D. E. Baker, to 1877, re-elected, 
but died on July 1, 1877, and P. N. Waterbury appointed to the vacancy thereby created, 
remaining in office until the election and qualification of C. F. Krebs, the present incumbent. 

County Clerk. — Lucius I. Barber, elected in 1842, the first Clerk of which there is any 
record, re-elected in 1843-44; F. A. Potter, in 1845; S. S. Keyes, 1846; Harvey Foster, 
1847; H. F. Pelton, 1848, re-elected, in 1849, in place of D. C. Pinkham, removed; D. A. 
Colton, elected in November, 1850, and served during 1851-52; Charles Rogers, 1853-54; C. 
L. Smith, 1855-56; 0. C. Merriman, 1857-58; I. W. Bird, 1859-60; W. P. Forsyth, 
1861-62 ; G. D. Mead, 1863-64 ; W. H. Porter, 1865-66 ; D. W. Ballou, 1867-68 ; Jack- 
son Jones, 1869-70 ; P. E. Kelley, 1871-72, re-elected and served in 1873-74 ; W. H. Hake, 
present officer, inducted into office in 1875, re-elected in November, 1876, and in November, 
1878. 

Register of Deeds. — Robert Masters, the first Register of Deeds who qualified in Jeffer- 
son County, was elected in September, 1839, and served until 1842, when he was succeeded by 



352 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

G. F. Markley. who remained in office until 1845 ; G. H. Morrison, 1845 ; John E. Holmes> 
1846 ; Jonas Folts, 1847 ; Willard Grant, 1848 ; thereafter, the election held biennially, A- 
TI. Waldo being the first officer elected under the new law, and holding office for two years ; AV- 
H. Besley, chosen at a special election held June 15, 1851, to fill vacancy caused by J. W- 
Ostrander's failure to qualify ; R. Tyler, 1852 ; Charles Stoppenbaeh, 1854, re-elected in 185(3 : 
G. Schnasse, 1858; F. G. L. Struve, 18G0 ; Joseph Stoppenbaeh, 1862; A.J. Rankin, 
1864; Joseph Berger, 1866; A. Scheuber, 1868; Henry Colonius, 1870, re-elected in 1872; 
Robert Hass, 1874 ; Daniel Rutledge, 1876, re-elected in 1878. 

County Treasurer. — E. C. Montague, elected in September, 1839, took his office in Janu- 
ary, 1840, re-elected the two succeeding terms, serving until January 1, 1843, and was followed 
by E. G. Darling, who served until January 1, 1845; R. J. Currier, 1845; G. F. Markley, 
1846; Andrew Lansing, 1847; William Lanphear, 1848; George Dow, elected under the 
State law for two years, but was removed, and J. W. Ostrander elected in 1840, holding office 
until January, 1851, when Myron Smitli (lualifiod as his successor ; Daniel Howell, 1853 ; Nel- 
son Fryer, 1855 ; William Sanborn, 1857 ; D. F. Jones, 1859 ; W. Grant, 1861 ; S. Burns, 
1863; W. S. Greene, 1865; Edmund Sweeney, 1867; John Malloy, 1869; W. A. Greene, 
1871; George Foster. 1873; Frederick Buchholtz, 1875; Gideon Ives, 1877; W. C. Waldo, 
1879. 

District Attorney. — No officer serving during the Territorial government of the county. 
The first officer elected after the admission of the State was Daniel Dodge, who took his office 
■January 1, 1849, and served two j-ears, when he was succeeded by William Dutcher, January 
1, 1851, who was re-elected and continued in office until January 1. 1855 ; L. B. Caswell, 1855 
to 1857 ; Daniel Hall, to 1859 ; Harlow Pease, to 1861 ; Hiram Barber, to 1863; Myron B. 
Williams, to 1867 ; D. F. AVeymouth, to 1869 ; Myron B. Williams, to 1873 ; N. Steinaker, 
to 1875 ; W. H. Rogers, to 1877, re-elected; A. G. Steiner, present incumbent. 

Surveyor. — The first Surveyor under territorial law was Milo Jones, elected in September, 
1839, and continuing in office until January 1, 1845; L. P. Drake, 1845-46; Harvey San- 
born, 1847 ; J. W. Ostrander, 1848 : Levi P. Drake, elected under State Law, serving from 
January 1, 1849. until January 1, 1851 ; Alonzo AVing, to 1853, re-elected : A. H. AA'aldo, to 
1857 ; L. P. Gilbert, to 1859, re-elected; C. P. Goodrich, 1861-63; H. Steger, to 1865. re- 
elected; C. P. Goodrich, to 1869; K. P. Clark, to 1871, re-elected, and serving until 1877; 
J. D. Waterbury, elected, but failing to qualify, C. P. Goodrich was elected by the County 
Board to fill the unexpired term ending January 1, 1879, when he was succeeded by K. P. Clark, 
present Surveyor. 

Coroner. — J. D. Waterbury, elected in September, 1839, and served until January 1, 1842; 
R. M. Nevins, 1842 to 1843 ; C. May, to 1844, re-elected ; E. G. Darling, to 1846 ; Robert 
Masters, to 1847 ; E. G. Darling, to 1848 ; C. May, to 1849 ; L. 0. Jones, elected for two 
years under the State law, but was removed, and Alonzo AA'ing qualified, remaining in office 
until January 1, 1851 ; C. B. King, to 1853 ; S. S. Keyes, to 1855 ; C. J. Bell, to 1857 ; 
John Jung, to 1859 ; George Foster, to 1861 ; R. A. Tubbs, to 1863 : Earl Newton, to 1865, 
re-elected: Charles Stoppenbaeh, to 1869; C. AA^ Bieber, to 1871; James Manville, to 1873; 
William Higbie, to 1875 ; James Rogan. to 1877, re-elected ; Nelson Fryer, present incumbent. 

Members of the General Assembly. — Lucius I. Barber and James Sutherland, from 1840 
to 1842 ; Robert Masters, 1843-44 ; Noah Phelps. 1845 : Mark Clapp, AVilliam M. Dennis 
and Noah Phelps, 1846 ; James Giddings, 1847 ; Levi P. Drake and Horace D. Patch, elected 
to the special session, convened October 27, 1847, re-elected to the terra of 1848. Members of 
the Assembly after the admission of AA'^isconsin into the Union — AA'ales Emmons, Peter H. 
Turner and Davenport Rood, 1848; Benjamin Nute, Jarvis K. Pike and AA'illiam H. Johnson, 
1849; Abraham Vanderpool, Austin Kellogg and Alva Stewart, 1850; Alonzo AA^ing, Patrick 
Rogan and S. F. Clothier, 1851 ; Thomas R. Mott, A. H. Van Norstrand and Jacob Skinner, 
1852 ; P. Rogan, .lames H. Ostrander, D. J. Powers, AA^ AA'^. AA^oodman and J. E. Holmes, 
1853 ; C. J. Bell, D. L. Morrison, D. Reed, AA'. Eustis and Theodore Barnhardt, 1854 ; P. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 353 

Rogan, John Gibb, A. H. Van Norstrand, J. G. Merriam and Willard Grant, 1855 ; D. L. Morri- 
son, W. Chappell, W. W. Woodman, H. C. Drake and D. Reed, 1856 ; Elatus M. Aspinwall, 
J. F. Ostrander, W. Chappell, W. M. Morse and K. P. Clark, 1857 ; Miles Holmes, G. C. 
Smith, P. Rogan, John Gibb and Harlow Pease, 1858 ; K. J. Craig, G. C. Smith, L. A. Cole, 
F. Wagner and S. J. Conklin, 1859 ; N. Horton, C. H. G. Hamraerquist, H. Smith, H. H. 
Winter and J. Sutton, 1860 ; J. D. Petrie, H. B. Willard, T. Prentiss, S. Hoyes and S. M. 
Cone, 1861 ; P. Rogan, W. S. Greene, W. W. Reed and J. B. Crosby, 1862 ; Emil Rothe, N. 
S. Greene, L. B. Caswell and J. M. Bingham, 1863 ; Robert Hass, A. B. Smith, Joseph 
Powers and James M. Bingham, 1864; Jonathan Piper, Gardner Spoor, Alanson Pike and W. 
P. Forsyth, 1865 ; P. Rogan, John Mosher, W. W. Reed and Henry Harnden, 1866 ; Thomas 
Shinnick, G. H. Bryant, VV. W. Reed and J. D. Petrie, 1867 ; Henry S. Howell, C. P. Good- 
rich, Jonas Folts and F. G. L. Struve, 1868; John Rutledge, S. J. Conklin, J. Winslow and 
J. M. Bingham, 1869; Daniel Hall, C. H. Phillips, R. H. Tousley and J. M. Bingham, 1870; 
Daniel Hall, W. L. Hoskins, N. Fryer and H. J. Ball, 1871 ; Daniel Hall, W. L. Hoskins 
and L. B. Caswell, 1872; Patrick Devy, C. H. Steinfort and J. W. Ostrander, 1878; Charles 
Becknal, Austin Kellogg and L. B. Caswell, 1874 ; Christian Mayer, Austin Kellogg and J. 
W. Osti'ander, 1875; Thomas Shinnick, Charles H. Phillips and David W.Curtis, 1876; 
Hezekiah Flinn, Charles H. Phillips and Adolf Scheuber, 1877 ; Hiram J. Ball, John D. Bul- 
lock and Hezekiah Flinn, 1878; J. W. Ostrander, John D. Bullock and Hezekiah Flinn, 1879. 

Senators. — Ebenezer Brigham, 1838 ; Daniel S. Sutherland, 1839-40 ; Ebenezer Brigham, 
1841-42 ; Lucius I. Barber, 1843-44 ; John Catlin, 1845-46 ; John E. Holmes, 1847-48. 
The first session of the State Legislature was convened on Monday, June 5, 1848, at which and 
thereafter the county of Jefferson was represented by the following Senators and Members of the 
General Assembly: William M. Dennis, 1848; James Giddings, 18.50; Alva Stewart, 1852; 
Daniel Howell, 1854 ; S. W. Barnes, 1856 ; William Chappell and Samuel C. Bean, in 1858, 
when the county formed a part of two Senatorial districts and so continued until 1862 ; William 
Chappell and E. D. Masters, 1859 ; Charles R. Gill and E. D. Masters, 1860 ; Charles R. Gill 
and E. Montgomery, 1861 ; E. Montgomery, 1862 ; J. D. Clapp, 1863-64 ; S. W. Budlong, 
1865-6C; G. T. Thorn, 1867-68; W. W. Woodman, 1869-72; W. S. Greene, 1873-74; W. 
W. Reed, 1875-78 ; November, 1878, Charles H. Phillips elected, died January following 
before the Legislature convened. At a special election held January 20, 1879, J. B. Bennett, 
the present incumbent, elected. 

County Judges. — Thomas Brayton served during 1843-46 ; George Dow, 1847-49 ; Will- 
iam T. Butler, '1850-58 ; Samuel Baird, 1859-61 ; I. W. Bird, 1862-74 ; Aaron Rankin, 
1875-78 ; Henry Colonius. the present incumbent, whose term expires in January, 1882. 

School Super mtendents. — J. K. Purdy, 1859-61 ; Alonzo Wing, 1861-63, re-elected and 
served until 1866; G. W. Bird, to 1868, also reelected; Amos Squire, to 1871 ; S. A. Craig, 
to 1873, re-elected ; C. J. Collier, to 1877 — re-elected, present incumbent. 

Commissioners under the Territorial Government. — John A. Chadwick, D. Little and John 
Richards, 1839; John C. Gilman, John Richards and William Sacia, 1840; Robert Masters, 
John Richards and M. R. Clapp, 1841, when the office was changed to Supervisor. 

Assessors. — D. W. Kellogg, J. Crane and Benjamin Nute, 1839 ; D. W. Kellogg, G. P. 
Marston and S. D. Stiles, 1840 ; George Hebard, Milo Jones and D. W. Kellogg, 1841. 

Collectors— GeoYgQ Hebard, 1839 ; David Temple 1840. 

Members of the First Constitutional Convention. — Patrick Rogan, Theodore Prentiss, 
Aaron Rankin, Elihu Atwood, Samuel T. Clothier, Peter H. Turner and George Hyer. 

Members of the Second Constitutional Convention. — Theodore Prentiss, Milo Jones, Abram 
Vanderpool and Jonas Folts. 

COUNTY BUILDINGS. 

Court House. — During the days when Wisconsin was under Territorial government, court 
■was held in the Jefferson House, also in the second story of Sanborn's building on Main street, 



354 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COL^TY. 

where tlie Sawyer House is now located. The last session was convened in this building in the 
spring of 1842, and the building itself was partially destroyed by fire on St. Patrick's Day, 1876, 
but ha.s since been rebuilt and reconstructed and is now known as the Sawyer House. 

On January 6, 1842, William Sanborn closed a contract with Robert Masters, John Rich- 
ards and M. 11. Clapp, Commissioners of Jeft'erson County, for the erection of a Court House, 
Jail and Sheriff's residence, on the public square. Mr. Sanborn employed George Crist and 
Daniel N. Miller to get out the timber and construct the building. These parties occupied the 
fall and winter of 1842 in preparing the material, and, early in that year, began to put it in 
place. This was completed during the spring of the same year, and, in June following, the frame 
of the Court House, which has since been occupied for judicial purposes, was raised, the same 
put under cover and sided up ready for the carpenters, the contractors receiving pay for their 
services in town lots. Immediately upon the completion of this preliminary work, the interior 
was put in order and made ready for occupation by Davenport Rood. The dimensions of the 
building were 30.x4tj feet, containing a court room on the second floor, the first floor being used 
for county offices and jury rooms, and cost §3, "00, which was paid in full on January 4, 1844, 
by the transfer on that day of eighty acres of ground in the northeast fractional quarter of Sec- 
tion 11 to William Sanborn by Asa F. Snell, Benjamin Piper, M. Jones, John Richards, W. H. 
Lanphoar, John Fuller and A. E. Horton, members of the Board of Supervisors. 

The building was increased in size by the addition of a building to the east front of twenty- 
five feet in 1861, since when no further improvements or additions have been made. 

The Jail was built during the year the construction of the Court House was commenced. 
It was composed of logs, and occupied a lot in the southeast corner of the public sipiare. It 
was small for the purpose, containing two cells, and adjoined the Sherift"s house, which faced to 
the north, both of which improvements were put up and placed in order for occupancy by Crist 
k Miller. This served the purpose for which it was erected until 18.50, when the building was 
pulled down and a brick edifice erected in its place by Waldo & Yanderpool, contractors, which 
was destroyed by fire in June, 1874. In July, the Board of Supervisors closed a contract with 
Charles Stoppcnbach for the building and equipment of the present jail and Sheriff's residence, 
for the sum of §12,000. But changes were made in the original plans, and improvements were 
added until, when the work was accepted by the County Board on the 4th of January, 1875. the 
cost thereof footed up a total of §18,000. It is a massive brick, two and one-half stories 
high, containing ample accommodations for the Sheriff s office and residence, as also for jail 
purposes, and is a source of pride to the city of which it is an attractive ornament. 

The Reijisters Office, together with the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, is con- 
tained in a one-story, fire-proof brick building on the public square, north of the Court House 
The Register's Office was first located in a frame building on Main street, erected by George 
Crist for Alonzo Wing (the same building at present adjoining the Post Office on the south I, in 
1842. This was partially destroyed by fire on the 18th of February, 1845, and the Register of 
Deeds ran the gantlet of various unoccupied buildings until the completion of that now in 
use, which was accomplished in 1851, by Waldo & Yanderpool, when it was taken possession of 
by the county, whose representatives still claim title by occupation. 

The Poor House. — In the early days of Jefferson, poverty was attended with industry and 
municipal aid in providing for the care of the distressed and afflicted was rarely invoked. As 
the settlement increased in size and importance, and the protection of the unfortunate poor 
became a necessity, means had to be provided in their behalf. At first they were taken care of 
at public expense : then the system of caring for the poor by town organization obtained, 
and continued until the county was charged with their support by legislative enactment. This 
latter system has been in force, with one exception, since 1854, or thereabouts, the exception being 
during the year 1877, when the town system w.as revived, lasting, however, but six months. 
The present County Poor House property was provided for at a meeting of the Board of Super- 
visors, convened in the latter part of 1854, or early in 1855, at which a committee, of which 
the late Capt. E. D. Masters was chairman, was appointed and empowered to purchase land and 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 355 

erect suitable buildings for the poor of Jefferson County. Acting upon these instructions, the 
committee purchased eighty acres of the present farm, located a mile west of the city from 
Capt. Musters, for $4,000. In 1855, they commenced the erection of buildings, which were 
completed the same year and occupied in 1856. At that time the premises were 30x50, and 
ample for the accommodation of the county's wards. In 1863, the North Addition was completed 
by George Crist at a cost of $1,000, and, in 1868, the accommodations were still further 
increased, and the buildings raised another story. In the same year, twenty acres of ground 
were added to the farm, from the Copeland property adjoining, at a cost of $1,000. In 1872, 
the South Addition was built by George Crist, Jr., for which §2, 500' was paid, since which date the 
premises have not been enlarged. There are at the present writing (1879), a total of fifty-seven 
inmates deriving their sustenance from the county, twenty-eight of whom are insane, for the protec- 
tion of which class of dependents ample facilities were provided for in the addition built in 1872. 

The institution is supported partly from appropriations made by the county authorities, 
and partly by the productions of the farm, which, for the year 1879, aggregated 1,500 bushels 
of grain, 400 of potatoes, and the usual complement of vegetables. The annual expense 
involved in the care of the county poor is stated at about .$3,000. The buildings, grounds and 
immediate supervision of the inmates is under the control of a Superintendent, appointed by the 
Board of Supervisors, and the following named gentlemen have thus f;ir been honored with 
public confidence : James Barr, E. D. Masters, George Trucks, Christopher Grimm, John 
Whelan, David Baker and George Trucks, the present official. 

The property, with improvements, is valued at about $10,000. 

CRIMINAL CAUSES. 

The criminal records of Jefferson County have been comparatively free from the commis- 
sion of felonies; especially is this true of murder. Though the crime has shocked the commu- 
nitv at long intervals, and though the Schneeff, Borchardt and Murman murders are remembered 
with horror, there has been a singular absence of crime in Jefferson County, which argues 
well, not only for the peace, property and industry of the inhabitants, but also for the adminis- 
tration of justice and the enforcement of the law. 

The first murder which occurred in the county, according to information derived from 
sources that should be reliable, took place during the fall of 1848, in the immediate vicinity of 
Fort Atkinson, an Indian being the aggressor, upon whom the penalty of death was inflicted at 
once, and who, with his victim, became subjects for the scalpel of surgeons, who have since 
attained to eminence in the practice of the profession. 

At the time indicated, a number of savages, as the sequel showed, the opposite of gentle, 
belonging either to the Winnebagoes or Pottawatomies, en route from the timber to Black Hawk 
Island, halted at Fort Atkinson. At that season of the year, they were engaged in the collec- 
tion of winter stores, a portion of which they levied tribute for at the island, and they tarried at 
Fort Atkinson for the procuration of ammunition and edibles. While thus engaged, two of the 
tribe became intoxicated, and in that condition proceeded to the lake. The savages dined at 
Fort Atkinson, and their festivities being prolonged to an unreasonible hour, it was not until 2 
o'clock that they got once more under way. Everything remained harmonious, as is reported, 
until the murderers reached a point on Milo Jones' farm, about two miles below the city, oppo- 
site the farm of Aaron Rankin, where, to adopt the graphically expressive descriptive language 
employed by the narrator, "the fun began," consisting of tantalizing annoyances directed by a 
young buck toward one of the inebriated warriors. This pi-ocured an altercation, which resulted 
in blows and struggles, during which one of the aborigines drew a knife and plunged the keen 
blade into the neck of his antagonist, severed the spinal column, producing paralj'sis and caus- 
ing almost instant death. 

The victim fell in his tracks and while suffering the pangs of dissolution, his assassin, 
realizing the extent of the crime committed, sought safety in flight. 



356 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUXTY. 

A brother of the dead buck, who had watched the battle from afar, when he compre- 
hended the fiital issue, took up the gage of deatli which had been thrown down, and pursued 
the fugitive, knife in hand, to avenge the calamity which had been put upon his wigwam. The 
fleeing murderer increased his speed and, succeeding in reaching the river bank first, essayed to 
increase his chances of escape by crossing the stream in a canoe which lay moored in a lagoon 
that abutted into the shore. 

But lie had counted without results, for a canoe adjoined that he had seized, into which the 
avenging Nemesis sprang, when began a race between life and death in which the grim visitor, 
as the future realized to those who witnessed it, had the call against the field, for the pursuer 
struck shallow water as the boat of the fleeing assassin imbedded its prow in the opposite bank. 
The race was again resumed when both had gained terra firma, and, after a brief spurt, the 
murderer was run to cover on the farm of Aaron Rankin, and the brother's death avenged by 
the brother who had survived to pursue and thus adjudicate the 'aw. 

No sooner had the rigor of death affixed its seal upon the inanimate forms of those who- 
but a moment before had rejoiced in a plenitude of life and health and strength, than the cause 
of science asserted its supremacy and claimed the bodies for anatomical demonstrations. The 
physicians above referred to secured their possession, and, hiding them in the loft of a barn, 
kept them from view until the excitement attendant upon the tragedy and the subsequent events 
connected therewith had been to .some extent dissipated. 

When the excitement had in a measure subsided, and the tribe to which the defunct 
Indians belonged sought the whereabouts of the bodies and found them not, the mourning over 
their mysterious disappearance was more vociferous, if less pronounced, than could have been 
the rejoicing over ninety and nine Indians who crossed not the pathway of the destroyer. Tlie 
mourners would not be comforted with the assurance that they had not been disturbed by the 
pale-faces, nor with the suggestion that an enemy had done this, but. constituting themselves 
advocates, jury and Court, instituted the strictest examination into all fiicts bearing upon their 
disappearance, as also the secret places wherein it might be possible for them to be kept from 
view. But all to no purpose ; hidden beneath the hay, they eluded the closest scrutiny and 
escaped detection. The Indians, after exhausting every remedy cunning could devise or demand 
suggest, continued their trip to the happy hunting-grounds, supposititiously on Black Hawk 
Island, accompanied by the fraternal avenger, while the Indians dead became subjects for med- 
ical colleges, and, with the memory of their deeds, have long been consigned to the tomb of the 
Capulets — forgetfulness. 

Early in the spring of 1868, Adolph Schnepf was murdered on his farm in the town of 
Watertown. The first rumor concerning the bloody aff^iir was that Schnepf had been missing 
from his home for several days, and this led a neighbor, named Clark, to make an investiga- 
tion. Mr. Clark certainly had well-founded suspicions, and going to the spot where a large 
" log heap " had but recently been burned by Mr. Schnepf and his son, and where the missing 
man liad last been seen, an examination of the ashes revealed pieces of charred bones, suspen- 
der buckles and metal pants buttons. Slierifl' Joseph Giles was apprised of the fact, and young 
Schnepf was placed under arrest and taken to Watertown. The excitement was very great in 
the community, and threats of lynching were freely made. On this account, preliminary exam- 
ination was waived, and the prisoner was hurried to Jefferson, where he was confined in the 
County Jail. He was indicted by the Grand Jury, and at the September term of court, an 
aflidavit was filed by his counsel, asking for a change of venue, on the ground that a fair and 
impartial trial could not be had in Jefferson County. The request was granted, and the trial 
held at Portage City, lasting nine days, and resulting in the acquittal of young Schnepf The 
arguments of counsel for the defense were based upon the testimony of Prof Carr, of Madison, 
who gave it as his opinion that a human body could not be completely consumed by fire in the 
short space of time elapsing between the burning of the log pile and the discovery of bones, 
buttons and buckles by Mr. Clark ; and also upon the testimony of a Mrs. Kniesel, who swore 
that she saw the deceased three days after the revelations of the mysterious ash heap. During 



HISTOUY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 357 

the trial, one of the chief witnesses on the part of the prosecution hanged himself, and this was 
seized upon by the defense, who set up the plea, by inference, that the suicide was the real mur- 
•derer. Counsel for defense were Hon. II. S. Orton, Henry Mulberger and Myron B. Will- 
iams ; District Attorney Weymouth was assisted by Col. G. F. Thorn. 

In December, 1874, the people of Jefferson County were again shocked by another bloody 
murder in the town of Watertown, the victim being a man named Borchardt. In the evening 
of the day the murder was committed, Borchardt's step-daughter, Johannah, went to the house 
of the murdered man's son, Charles, about one and a half miles south of the paternal roof, and 
told him that "a stranger had hit the old man on the head," and that he was very sick. The 
son notified the neighbors, who went to the house and found the old man on a lounge, dead. 
Otficers were sent for, who came in company with a Justice and two physicians. A post-mortem 
examination was held, revealing the fact that Borchardt had come to his death by three blows 
upon the head, inflicted with a blunt instrument. A search of the premises was made, and a 
hammer, covered with blood, was found. The evidence pointed very strongly to certain mem- 
bers of the family as the perpetrators of the crime, and, accordingly, Mrs. Borchardt and her 
daughter, Wilhelmina, were taken into custody, and brought before Justice C. M. Ducasse, of 
Watertown, who held the mother for trial and discharged the girl. A few days later. District 
Attorney Steinaker visited the scene of the murder, made a thorough investigation of the prem- 
ises and closely questioned the occupants. Ho discovered evidence, in his opinion, implicating 
the girl, Wilhelmina, and she was arrested and brought before Capt. Nelson Bruett, of Jefferson, 
and by him held without bail to appear at the February term of the Circuit Court. A joint 
information was entered by District Attorney Rogers (who had just come into office) against 
both the mother and daughter, and they were brought to trial. While in prison, Wilhelmina 
wrote a letter to her sister Johannah, of which the following is a synopsis : " You have always 
sworn against me and mother, and if you persist in doing so, mother will tell the whole story. 
You know a stranger came in and struck the old man; that we had nothing to do with it.'' 
The prosecution insisted that if the prisoners were guilty, it was murder in the first degree, and 
the jury so found. After a motion for a new trial, which was denied, both were sentenced to 
Waupun for life. The counsel for defense were Daniel Hall and C. H. Gardner. The District 
Attorney was assisted by Harlow Pease and N. Steinaker. Borchai-dt was a drunken and quar- 
relsome individual, and it is believed that his death resulted from an encounter with his wife and 
daughter. 

The last murder occurred but two years ago, the particulars of which are substantially as 
follows : 

Late on Sunday afternoon, December 16, 1877, the city of Fort Atkinson was thrown into 
a fever of excitement by the announcement that the body of a man had been found on the line 
of the railroad to Jefferson, the victim of a brutal murder. The body was found by A. Allen, 
lying near a brush heap in a grove a few rods west of the railroad track, and about opposite the 
cemetery. The body was described as that of a stranger, of medium height, dark hair, com- 
plexion, whiskers and eyes, and indicating his occupation by his general make-up and appear- 
ance to be that of a laborer. His bundle of clothes was scattered about over the ground, and 
on his person was found $1.41 in cash, together with a paper on which was written " Milwaukee 
avenue 341, J. Christianson." From investigations in Chicago, the man's name was supposed 
to have been John Murman, as such a man left Chicago on foot a few weeks before in company 
with a companion named William Anderson, and came to Wisconsin, as they said, to cut Christ- 
mas trees, since which time nothing had been heard from them. His companion, William 
Anderson, was supposed to have been the person who committed the murder. The body of the 
deceased was covered over with brush, and the remains of a camp-fire were near by. He was 
evidently killed with an ax, and it was thought to have been the result of a quarrel. 

Investigation was at once begun and additional facts were brought to light which fully estab- 
lished the identity of the murdered man as Chas. Peterson, brother of a Mrs. Christiansen who 
resided at 341 Milwaukee avenue, in the city of Chicago. That lady, upon being interrogated, 



358 HISTORY OF JEFFEUSOX C'UUXTY. 

Stated to Sheriff Newton, of Jefferson, that Peterson left her house on Tuesday. December 
11, 1877, to come to Fort Atkinson, where lie hoped to obtain employment. When he left 
he had '?20 in cash in his possession; and, further, that he was a steady, hard-working, inoffen- 
sive man, who was not addicted to the use of liquor, and had not, so far as she knew, an enemy 
in the world. 

The investigation was continued ; the inquest held, but beyond the discovery of blankets, 
and some clothing supposed to have belonged to the murdered man, notlung definite was ascer- 
tained to locate the crime, until the 29th of December, 1877, when a young man by the name 
of Charles Whitney, living at Kaukauna, Outagamie County, confessed to a Mr. Rice with whom 
he was living, that he was an accomplice in the murder of Peterson. lie afterward relateii the 
same story to Sheriff Leinan, of that county, by whom he was arrested and confined. Word 
was sent to Sheriff Newton, who went to Appleton and brought him to Jefferson on the follow- 
ing Monday. When arrested, he had on the boots belonging to the murdered man. He also 
gave information concerning one Ed. Eckart. whom he alleged was the instigator of the deed. 
Armed with the necessary authority, Sherifl' Newton proceeded to Outagamie and arrested the 
man Eckart, whom he found seven miles from Appleton in the woods, engaged with a gang of 
men in getting out stave bolts. He was arrested and brought to Jefferson and safely lodged in 
jail on Tuesday. 

He was represented as a young man apparently about twenty years of age, whose parents 
resided in the vicinity of Fort .Atkinson, and were boweil down to the earth with the weight of 
their affliction. The self-convicted murderer had passed most of his time in the northern part 
of the State, where he had led a reckless life, visiting Fort Atkinson the spring previous to the 
murder, where he was for a short time employed in the furniture factory. His story was sub- 
stantially as follows : After leaving Fort Atkinson some tin^e in the summer of 1877, he went 
to Pittsburgh, Penn., where he fell in with this man Eckart, with whom he took a tramp to 
Little Rock, Ark. Thence they turned northward, working their way along. On the night of 
the 12th of December, they met Peterson on the railroad between Milton and Janesville. 
Peterson asked the way to Green Bay. Whitney told him to follow the track and it would lead 
him to that place. Eckart and himself then came on, and when they reached Koshkonong they 
got aboard of the night train which arrives at Fort Atkinson at 10 o'clock. Here they were 
put off the train, but wenf^orth of town a half-mile, where they stopped, kindled a fire, and 
after taking some boards from the fence, lay down. About 1 or 2 o'clock in the morning, 
Peterson came along and, seeing the fire, came to them and lay down to sleep. Whitney states 
he was awakened by Eckart, who pointing to the sleeping man, said, •• I am going to shoot 
him." To this, -Whitney said, " Oh, don't I" Eckart made no farther reply, but drew his 
revolver and fired at Peterson's head. Peterson screamed " Oh I Oh I" and, springing to his 
feet, started to run. Eckart then tripped him down upon his face, shot him again in the head, 
and placing one hand on the back of Peterson's neck, held him down, while, with the other, he 
pointed the pistol at Whitney, and ordered him to strike Peterson with a hatchet, or he would 
kill him. Impelled by terror, Whitney states he struck Peterson one blow on the back of the 
head, and then threw down the instrument, declaring he would not strike another blow. At 
this, Eckart took up the hatchet and struck the victim a number of blows. They then dragged 
the body to the brush heap and left him covered with brush. When asked how it came that 
Peterson was found outside of the brush heap, he said he could not tell ; that when they left 
him he was groaning, and if he got out, it must have been by his own struggles. Whitney 
farther stated that, after the murder, Eckart took Peterson's boots, blankets, a pair of pants, 
a pocket looking-glass, coat and a shirt. He docs not remember seeing any money. They 
then started north on the track and, at the culvert near Cobb Creek, they secreted the blankets, 
shirt and several other articles. Eckart forced Whitney to travel ahead, threatening him with 
death if he turned back. On their arrival at Kaukauna, Whitney stopped with Mr. Rice: but 
the memory of the terrible deed he had witnessed, filled him with horror and remorse, until, as 
he expressed it, "I could see the murdered man in his sleep." Driven by this feeling, he at 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOiNr COUNTY. 359 

last made the confession. When Eckart was arrested, he stoutly denied any part in the mur- 
der: but the ftvct that he had on a blue coat behinging to Peterson, phiced his guilt beyond a 
doubt. He had a very bad, brutal appearance, and looked, as if by nature and education both, 
he was well fitted for such a deed. The murder, the circumstances attending it, the actors in 
the bloody tragedy, one of whom is a son of one of Fort Atkinson's respected citizens, all con- 
spired to make a chapter in crime, the like of which has never been duplicated in this section 
of the State. 

An information for murder was filed by the District Attorney on the 11th of February, 
1878, to which defendants, when arraigned on the following day, pleaded not guilty, and issue 
being joined, the trial was proceeded with, beginning on the 'Jth of April and continuing five 
days. Hon. David W. Small presided ; W. H. Rogers, of Fort Atkinson, prosecuting, and 
Harlow Pease, of Watertown, defending. Whitney turned States' evidence against Eckart, and 
upon the stand stated more particularly the facts connected with the commission of the crime. 
After detailing his acquaintance with Eckart, his roamings and the coming of Peterson to the 
camp Eckart and witness liad prepared, near where the body was found, he continued, that : 
" In the night Eckart woke me and told me he was going to shoot Peterson. I told him not to, 
but he would not listen to me, and Eckart went over to where Peterson was sleeping, put his 
loaded revolver to Peterson's ear and fired. Peterson put his hand up and said, ' Oh,' and then 
Eckart fired again right back of the ear. Then Peterson began raising up, and Eckart shot 
him again in about the same place, and then Peterson got up on his knees, and Eckart shot his 
revolver right into his eye. And then the man got to his feet, and Eckart threw him down and 
jumped on his back, and put his left hand on the back of his neck, and cocked his revolver with 
the other, and then told me to strike Peterson with the hatchet, and I didn't move as quick as 
he thought I ought to, and he asked me if I was coming, and so I had to come, and so I struck 
liim about four times with the back of the hatchet on his head. Then Eckart got off him, and 
Peterson got up and staggered against a tree, and Eckart told me to strike him again., I told 
him, no, I had struck him all I was going to. And tlien Eckart went up and struck him with 
the edge of the hatchet by the tree, and then when he had him down he cut him three more 
times witli the hatchet, and then he pulled oft' the man's boots, and took a piece of tobacco out 
of his pocket, and then heaped a pile of brush over his body." Whitney further testifies that 
he and Eckart then started on, taking with them some of the clothing and blankets of Peterson,- 
and went up north as far as Appleton, where they parted. 

The manner in which tlie witness detailed his e.xtraordinary statement on the witness stand 
strongly impressed the jury with its entire truthfulness. All the circumstances, moreover, cor- 
roborated his evidence. The body of Peterson was exhumed, and, on a more careful examina- 
tion, the physicians found the bullets in several places in his head, as stated by Whitney. 
They were fired from a small kind of revolver, and would not of themselves have produced 
death. But the strongest evidence of the guilt of Eckart was his own conduct and course of 
action upon the trial. Throughout the entire proceedings, he manifested the most entire 
indifference, and even refused to avail himself of his right and privilege to take the witness stand 
in his own belialf, and deny the fearful charges made against him by Whitney. 

After being summed up by the respective counsel, the case was given to the jury, under a 
clear and impartial charge by the Court, and. after a brief deliberation, they returned a verdict 
of guilty. 

A motion for new trial was made by counsel for defendant, but denied, and on Saturday, 
the 13th of April, sentence was pronounced. His Honor, upon the prisoner's being presented 
for final action, asked him if he had anything to say, to which he responded, "No," and Judge 
Small thereupon commented briefly upon the leading features of the most wanton, deliberate and 
atrocious murder ever kno\yn, and tending to an entire absence in the defendant of the ordinary 
sensibilities of humanity. Nothing remained for the Court but to impose the penalty prescribed 
by the law of the land, which was as follows : " The sentence of the Court and the law 
is that you, Edward Eckart, be imprisoned, at hard labor, in the State Prison of this State, 



360 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUXTY. 

for and during the term of your natural life, and that the first day thereof be in solitary con- 
finement." 

The prisoner was soon after taken to Waupun, where he now is serving a life sentence. 

THE tempest's TRACK. 

One Thursday afternoon, in 187S, a terrible tornado swept across the State from Iowa, tak- 
ing Jefferson County en route, killing one man and injuring several others, besides inflicting 
damage to houses and farm property estimated at $50,000. The columns of the Banner and 
Union of that date contained graphic accounts of the terrible visitation, from which- the follow- 
ing selections are made. After refei'ence to the unexpected and unprecedented violence of the 
storm, the journalists note the strange agitation that was observed in the clouds, and th;it a 
deep roaring sound, accompanied by an incessant faint glimmer of lightning, tilled the hearts 
of all with alarm. It soon became evident to those who are posted in such things that a tre- 
mendous cyclone was approaching from a point a little south of west. As the track of the 
storm became more defined, it was seen to pass north of this city, about two miles. The fear- 
ful, ominous roaring, that filled the air with an oppressive, overwhelming sound, gave ample 
token of the terrible disasters that lay in the path of this monster of the air. An extraordi- 
nary discharge of rain accompanied the storm, although the air was cleared in an liour. Soon, 
messengers began to come in for medical assistance, and the town was full of rumors of the 
destruction to life and property that had taken place. 

The tornado is supposed to have started near Dubuque, Iowa, and, after passing through 
Mineral Point, entered Jefferson in the township of Oakland from Christina, Dane County. 
Here it passed across a part of Cedar Lake, and those who saw it state that the water was 
drawn up to the clouds, creating a sight fearful and grand to behoM. The water thus sucked 
up by the cyclone was precipitated, with immense force, upon the land farther to the east. The 
country there looks as if it had been swept by the Mississippi. Gathering force with every 
current of air, it struck the large barn, 36x54, lately built by William Ward, and crushed it 
like an egg-shell. In the barn were three horses, two of which were instantly killed by the 
falling timbers. Although the house was next east of the barn, it was but little injured; yet 
large hickory, oak and poplar trees, standing all about the house, were twisted into bjisket-stuff. 
Mr. Ward's orchard lies south of his house, and was completely ruined. His damages could 
not have fallen far short of §3,000. A few rods east is what is known as Oakland Center, 
where stood two churches, a brick schoolhouse and the parsonage of the Free- Will Baptist Soci- 
ety, occupied by Rev. 0. II. True. In a short area of space, the havoc was tremendous. The 
Baptist Church was a large, square two-story brick building, with the upper story occupied as 
a dwelling by Widow Hall and her daughter. In an instant and without any warning, the 
entire upper half of the building was crushed to atoms down to the second floor. Both of the 
women were overwhelmed in a whirling avalanche of bricks and timbers. Mrs. Hall was 
caught under a part of tivo walls and her left collar-bone broken, besides being severely cut 
about the head with flying bricks. The daughter managed to go through the terrible ordeal 
with less bodily injury. Finding she could not extricate her mother, who was crushed under 
the ruins, she screamed for help. Rev. 0. H. True heard her cries, and, with others, finally 
succeeded in taking both from their perilous situation. The brick schoolhouse and the new 
brick Moravian Church were quickly demolished, the latter an absolute mass of ruins ; a part 
of the west wall and the ends of the schoolhouse only remaining. The parsonage was moved 
over a foot to the east, the west side badly injured and the west cellar wall blown in. Mrs. 
True stated that the cyclone seemed to her as if some mighty power had struck the house a 
sudden blow with a weight like a mountain. Mr. True, while attempting to go to the assist- 
ance of Mrs. Hall, was caught by a second gust, but seized a limb of a tree to hold on, when 
the force of the wind straightened him right out in the air. His two children, Edgar and 
Lucy, were in a small outbuilding, with a young man by the name of Johnson. Johnson 



'M:' 





'j-e 



FORT ATKINSON 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 363 

vas blown over the fence into the road, a distance of iive rods. Edgar was blown against 
I. tree, and managed, by holding on, to save himself from being drawn up into the air. Lucy 
vas blown against the road fence. 

Farther to the westward was the Cambridge stage, which was struck with the storm and 
)verturned, frightening the horses so that they broke loose and ran. There was a lady pas- 
lenger in the coach, who was uninjured, however. The barn of George Champney was next 
inroofed, and considerable damage done to his other farm buildings. The track of the tor- 
lado from here lay for a mile and a half through timber and open fields. Old veteran oaks, 
hree feet in diameter, were twisted and broken like pipe-stems. The barn of S. Chapman 
vas partly unroofed ; also that of P. Eversohl. Striking the hill on which stood the house 
if John Daniels, it demolished a large new barn, hop-house and wind-mill. The house stand- 
ng near the scene was uninjured, except in the loss of chimneys. George Horton was in 
he basement of the barn, standing close in one corner, when the barn came down. He barely 
iscaped being killed, as a large beam struck the ground, passing close to his body. There was 
I terrible desolateness seen at the residence of R. Hawk. When it struck this place, John 
Daniels, Willie Daniels, Mrs. Kreuger, George Hallan and a hired man by the name of 
Uharles Schmidt, were in the barn. In an instant, the barn was crushed into fragments, and 
Schmidt, who was standing near Daniels, was struck on the head by a falling piece of tim- 
)er and instantly killed. Mr. Daniels caught hold of a post and held on to it. The two 
)oys, Willie Daniels and George Hallan, slid down into the basement, and escaped unhurt. 
^Irs. Kreuger was dashed against a beam, and somewhat injured, her clothing being com- 
)letely stripped from her person, except a small portion at the waist. That any of the occu- 
)ants of the barn escaped death was considered a miracle. A valuable horse and cow were 
dlled in the basement. Near the house of Mr. R. Hawk stood a large oak-tree, which 
vas blown across the roof, partially crushing it in, but preventing, no doubt, its farther 
lestruction. Mrs. Hawk was blown through a bedroom door, and against the north end of 
)f the house. A large oak rail was driven into the roof endwise, like an arrow. The house 
vas moved from its foundations, and badly racked. All about is a wide-spread scene of 
lestruction. A large pasture lot was covered with the fragments of the barn and outbuild- 
ngs. 

Next east in the track of the storm was a log house and stable occupied by Mr. Kreuger, 
I tenant of Mr. Hawk. Everything was completely wrecked here. Mrs. Witchie, an old lady, 
vas taken up bodily, carried a distance of eight rods, and dashed with great force against the 
•oad fence, two of her ribs broken, and she receiving such injuries about the head and breast as 
•endered it for awhile very doubtful if she lived. The house of William Northy, a log tene- 
nent, was next made the scene of disorder. The cyclone swept the house from its foundation, 
)urying three occupants in the ruins. Mariette Frary, who had called in, was caught by a fall- 
ng stove, resulting in a fracture of her right leg. No other persons were injured. The cyclone 
lere seemed to have changed its course, striking the residence and barns of Christian Gross, 
^ith all the power of its center vortex. The scene here baffled description. The whole prem- 
ses were a wreck, and the fields for a half-mile covered with broken boards and building mate- 
•ial. The family, at the time, were in a room in the south half of the house. The wind moved 
;he upright portion of the house clear from the cellar, and dropped it on the ground on the east 
lide. That portion in which the family were was unroofed, and the beds blown no one knows 
ivhere. The stove was thrown down, and the fire scattered about the room. The doors were so 
ammed together as to prevent any chance of getting out, and the family was in imminent dan- 
ger of being burned alive. Mr. Gross, although very ill at the time, managed to get hold 
)f a peck measure, and with the contents of a swill barrel standing in the room, put out 
;he fire. A large barn, 50x32, a smaller barn, three granaries, a smokehouse and a wind- 
mill were blown to atoms in a moment. The smokehouse was full of meat, but not a ves- 
;ige of the same could be found. A hired boy, who had just taken the team into the base- 
nent of the large barn as the storm struck it, was lifted into the air, carried sixty rods and 



364 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

landed against a fence. He was rendered completely dazed by the occurrence, and for hours 
could scarcely speak. Another boy stated that he saw the hired man carried over the wind- 
mill. A field of rye lay to the east of the house, and this was stuck full of broken lumber. 
The heads of the rye in the track of the storm were cut clean off, as with a reaper. An 
oak-tree, as large as' a man's body, was broken off and landed fifteen rods away in the rye- 
field. One granary contained 300 bushels of oats, and not a kernel of the grain could be 
found. A large farm wagon was carried twenty rods from the barn. The damages to Mr. 
Gross cannot be less than §3,000. At this point the cyclone took a due east course, and 
struck the new barn of Fred Musschel, on the Jefferson Road, two miles north of Fort 
Atkinson, completely demolishing the same, unroofing the barn of widow Hopson, and tearing 
up a number of trees in front of her house. A lumber wagon was standing but a few feet from 
Mr. Musschel's liouse, which was landed fifty rods east on the marsh, yet, strange to say, the 
house was not injured in any manner. After crossing Rock River in a due east course, the 
cyclone demolished the barns of A. Hake and E. Hake, and continued on through the towns oi 
Hebron and Sullivan, occasionally striking the earth and tearing things to pieces wherever 
it touched. 

The track of the cyclone varied from ten to 150 rods in width. Its center was. a whirl- 
wind of awful power. This can be seen by the manner in which trees and other articles 
are whirled in all directions. In one instance, a piece of a fence-board was driven over two feet 
into the ground at an angle of forty-five degrees. On the farm of S. Chapman, in Oak- 
land, an oak-tree nearly three feet in diameter, and perfectly sound, was broken off si.x feet 
from tiie ground. At a moderate estimate, the damage done to farm property in Jefferson 
County amounted to over $50,000, most of which is in the town of Oakland. No such visita- 
tion has ever before occurred in this portion of the State since about 1851, when it ia 
reported a similar tornado passed through the northern part of the country. 

THE FIGHTING FINCH FAMILY. 

In 1832, when a call was made by the Government for volunteers to fight that redoubtable 
warrior, Black Hawk, a family named Finch, then residing in St. Joe, Mich., immediately 
offered all its available war material — the father and twelve sons. Finch, Sr., was rejected, but 
all the juniors were mustered in. They passed through the conflict without a scratcli, return- 
ing to their home delighted with what they had seen in the vast territory over which they liad 
traveled, and determined upon removing to the west side of the great lake, for the purpose of 
permanent settlement, as soon as practicable. Accordingly, in 1838, the Finch colony settled 
in the soutiiern part of what is now Jefferson County, on the east side of Lake Koshkonong. 
Their departure from St. Joe was a source of considerable relief to the timid citizens of that 
place, for the young Finches were wont to indulge in periodical "war-dances," and on such 
occasions it became necessary for all other inhabitants of St. Joe to bar their doors and windows 
and remain in seclusion until the "fun" ceased. Coming to Wisconsin, the Finches left none 
of their eccentricities behind. In point of population, they acted upon the belief that there 
was room for no one else except a Finch in the vicinity of Lake Koshkonong. An inofl'ensive 
Norwegian, wlio, unfortunately, happeneil to have been a previous settler in that locality, \v;ia 
unmercifully beaten and finally driven from his home by them, within a few days after their 
arrival. Sheriff Bird, of Dane County, hearing of the affair, repaired to the dominion of 
the Finches, for the purpose of asserting his power as an ofiScer of the law, but lie found 
the belligerents to be so numerous that he wisely concluded not to make a single-handed 
attack. Returning to Madison for re-enforcements, he met and informed Gov. Dodge of the 
situation. 

" E.xliaust the power of the county, sir," replied the Governor, in his usual brusque and 
emphatic manner, "and if that don't do, I'll call out the militia, by G — d, sir. If that Finch 
tribe is going to run this Territory, I'll find it out mighty soon, now /tell you." 



HISTOKY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 365 

These instructions were capaljle of no misconstruction; the Sheriff's course was clear. 
Summoning the aid of Luther A. Cole, then Deputy Sheriff of Milwaukee County (to which 
Jefferson County belonged), and a Madison constable, the intrepid official set out for Finchland, 
letermined upon the capture of the offenders. The officers first went to a house of a man named 
Stevens, who was in some way implicated in the affair. They found the door of the house closed 
ind locked, with Mrs. Stevens' avoirdupois resting firmly against its inside. Their demand 
'or admission was positively refused, and, there being no other alternative, the door was kicked 
'rem its hinges, Mrs. Stevens being summarily disposed of in an opposite corner of the room, 
Tom which she immediately came forth with a freshly-primed Queen Ann musket. While in 
;he act of " drawing a bead " on Sheriff Bird she was disarmed by Mr. Cole. Stevens was 
bund in bed, feigning a violent attack of sickness, but was arrested and sent in charge of the 
;onstable to Madison. 

The next morning, at daybreak. Sheriffs Bird and Cole moved upon the domicile of one 
)f the Finches, but found no one at home. Proceeding some distance further, they came upon 
I solitary member of the numerous brotherhood, cutting house-logs in the woods, where his arrest 
Bras effected by the exercise of considerable strategy on the part of the officers. Had he known 
:heir purpose, the keen blade of his ax would certainly have tasted their blood, but he was cotn- 
Dletely disarmed of any suspicion by the inquiry from one of the officers as to the nearest route 
icross the lake. Dropping his ax upon the ground, he proceeded to give the information, but, 
jefore he had finished. Sheriff Cole closed in upon and seized him, while Sheriff Bird read the 
nrarrant for his arrest. The officers, with their prisoner, started at once for Fort Atkinson, where 
;hey arrived shortly before noon. 

During these proceedings, Mrs. Stevens had not been idle. Although the ground was cov- 
;red with snow and the weather was biting cold, it afterward transpired that she walked several 
niles through the woods to the cabins of Ben and Nat Finch and spread the news of the an-est 
)f her husband, adding the startling information that the officers had left her house in search of 
some of the Finches. Such an outrage could not be tolerated, and Ben and Nat were soon 
istride their chargers and on the trail of the daring officials. 

Sheriffs Bird and Cole, with their prisoner, had just sat down to a smoking hot dinner at " the 
brt " when two horsemen rode up and alighted. Their names were Ben and Nat Finch, and, 
is they stepped into the dining-room, Bird and Cole were upon their feet, their hands upon their 
pistols. The Finches were thrown entirely upon the offensive ; in other words, the officer.'! " had 
;he drop on them." It would have been a happy moment for an artist and a thrilling subject 
ibr his canvas. 

" Have some dinner? " interrogated Sheriff Bird, breaking the awful silence. 

" If it's all the same to you, we will," replied Ben Finch. " Which way you travelin'?" 

"Going to Madison," said the Sheriff. 

" Takin' my brother, 'spose? " 

" We are." 

" Arrested ? " 

" Yes." 

" Recon you know the law says crimes shall be tried in the county where the act is com- 
uitted, don't you? " remarked Ben, with an air of legal wisdom. 

"We'll ask Gov. Dodge about that," answered Sheriff" Bird. 

" Maybe you will, and maybe you won't," retorted Finch, rising hurriedly from the taWfc, 
ind motioning his brother Nat to follow him. 

Again Bird and Cole were upon their feet, and again their firm right hands clasped their 
pistols' handles ; but the two Finches had vanished, and, a moment later, were in their saddiet 
ind had disappeared in the direction from whence they came. 

There was no time to be lost. The purpose of Ben and Nat Finch was too apparent t« 
idmit of any doubt or delay on the part of the officers. Hastily securing the services of & 
teamster, and instructing him to drive to Lake Mills with all the speed at his command. Bird 



366 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

and Cole, with their prisoner, were soon on their way toward Madison : but the almost impassa- 
ble condition of the road was a source of serious delay, and when the party reached Lake Mills 
their horses were completely exhausted. The proprietor of the tavern was informed of the situ- 
ation, and instructed, if any one came that way inquiring for " three men in a wagon," to say 
that they had taken " the old road to Madison." A new road had recently been opened from 
Lake Mills to the Capital, and it was by this route the officers, having called into requisition a 
fresh relay of horses, left for their destination. 

The noise of the wagon rolling over the frozen earth had scarce died away in the adjacent 
forest, when ten men, armed with rifles and pistols, each mounted, appeared in front of the 
tavern door at Lake Mills. It was the Finch brigade. Alighting from their jaded animals, 
they filed into the bar-room, and, by way of introducing themselves to the affrighted inn-keeper, 
called for " the best in the shop." 

" Did you see three men in a wagon pass this way ?" queried Ben Finch, diving into the 
inner recesses of a corduroy coat and bringing forth a roll of " wildcat scrip " with which to 
settle for the drinks. 

" Yah ! Tree vagons and a men — de old road py Madison," quickly replied the officiating 
Teuton behind the bar, as if imparting a terrible secret. 

" The old road, eh ? Then give us another dose, and we'll take the same route," replied 
Finch, drawing his slouch hat mysteriously low upon his weather-beaten brow. 

To the great relief of the inhabitants of Lake Mills, the Finch cavalry were soon in their 
saddles and galloping away over the hills in the direction of Madison. 

" That occurred many years ago," said Mr. Luther A. Cole, " but I shall never cease to 
thank that honest Lake Mills fellow for the manner in which he carried out our instructions, 
thus averting what certainly must have been an awful tragedy. We reached Madison with oui 
man, and were congratulated by Gov. Dodge for the strategy we had displayed. It cost Finch 
his eighty acres of land, and six or eight months in jail. Ben Finch, who, it afterward 
transpired, was the ringleader in the unprovoked assault upon the Norwegian, escaped to Mich- 
igan, and was never caught. The rest of the family scattered about in different directions, and. 
I believe, became good citizens." 

SCHOOLS, RESOURCES, POPULATION, ETC. 

In few counties in Wisconsin can so many flourishing and attractive villages be found, all 
being eligibly located, constantly improving, irrefutably indicating not only a healthy condition 
of affairs, but an increase of intelligence, refinement, enterprise and wealth. Newspapers, 
schools and churches are distributed throughout the county, and, with other sources of moral 
and intellectual development, are generously encouraged and abundantly patronized. The 
educational interests, particularly, are attended to with the greatest care and diligence, school 
buildings that are creditable to the taste and liberality of the communities in which they are 
located are found in every hamlet, and, with the public schools, are under the control of expe- 
rienced and capable teachers. The University is supplied with an able faculty, and, through 
the means afforded by the public and private institutions of learning, the youth of both sexes 
are provided with facilities for the ac(juisition of a classic and scientific education. The extent 
and importance of this subject can be better illustrated, perhaps, by reference to the last report 
of C. J. Collier, County Superintendent of Schools. After stating the number of his visits to 
schools at 222, he expresses himself as happy to report improvement, during the past year, in 
school work, as evinced by the following items in the report : 

Although schools, as a general rule, are among the first things to be affected by " hard 
times," yet he is able to report 10 per cent increase in the average length of the school term, 
and, with a 3 per cent decrease in number of children between the ages of four and twenty, a 6 
per cent increase in the number registered, and a 10 per cent increase in the average attend- 
ance ; also, from the teachers' reports, that the number of visits made to schools by School 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



367 



5oards and patrons have been increased more than 50 per cent during the last year. More 
are has been taken by the patrons to provide suitable buildings and furniture for the comfort 
nd convenience of the pupils, as is shown by the increased valuation of school property. Each 
f these items of improvement, although small, is a step in the right direction. 



TEACHERS. 



During the past year, "232 teachers were employed ; 703 persons examined, and 298 certi- 

cates granted ; of this number, 10 were first grade, 38 second, 210 third, and 40 limited. 

lany of the applicants were students of the high and graded schools, and only desired to obtain 

standing, while others who passed a fair examination were too young to be fully qualified as 

D judgment and many other points of vital importance to a teacher. 

In conducting examinations, Mr. Collier endeavored to ask such questions as would test the 
pplicant's knowledge of principles, rather than facts, and although those teachers having expe- 
ience, and those who have had some special preparation, either by institute work, or at school, 
ave had no difficulty, beginners have found the work somewhat difiicult; yet all seemed 
esolved to do their best in acquiring and using practical ideas instead of theoretical. 

The institute at Fort Atkinson, commencing August 5, was remarkable for the average age 
nd experience of the teachers in attendance, and its effect will be felt in the schools during the 
inter. The institute was conducted by Profs. Salisbury, Emory and Maxson. Of the first 
BTO, nothing need be said, as it is well known that their presence at an institute insures good 
■ork ; but of Prof. Maxson, the Superintendent felt called upon to speak a word, he being a 
ew worker among them ; his thorough scholarship, his happy illustrations of his work, his 
ractical knowledge of a teacher's requirements, ^attainments and duties, and his genial manner, 
on him many friends, and the teachers of this county would be pleased to meet him often in 
le future, and to listen to his instruction. 

The number of districts that have adopted a series is 44 ; that loan books to pupils, 17 ; 
lat sell to them, 10 ; that have adopted the plan of free text-books, 4. 

During the year, ^14,752 was paid to male and $16,721.77 to female teachers, which with 
iterest on the school property, valued with improvements, sites and apparatus, at $131,179.00, 
uperintendent's salary, printing and stationery, made the total expenses for the year $5.5,968.71. 
'he expenses, per capita, of school population is $5.27 ; of pupils enrolled, $8.57 ; of average 
ttendance, $11.65. The expenses, per capita, in each town, he states as follows : 



TOWN. 



otal Arnonnt 
Expended, 


Per Capita of 
School Popula- 
tion. 


Per Capita of 
Pupils Enrolled. 


Per Capita of 
Average Attend- 
ance. 


Whole Number 

between the age 

of 1 and 20. 


51,249 90 


§2 33 


U 64 


§7 83 


536 


1,23.5 41 


4 77 


5 91 


8 43 


259 


2,220 04 


3 79 


4 55 


6 17 


588 


2,148 21 


2 31 


6 13 


8 97 


9i2 


2,022 28 


4 33 


5 93 


7 52 


467 


2,044 18 


2 74 


6 08 


7 43 


746 


5.196 89 


3 69 


6 70 


8 14 


1406 


8,028 62 


6 67 


9 71 


12 13 


1203 


3,098 94 


6 24 


6 80 


9 93 


494 


1,912 89 


3 75 


5 29 


9 51 


510 


2,077 ol 


5 14 


7 58 


11 23 


412 


2.564 35 


4 29 


6 31 


9 16 


598 


2,221 92 


3 91 


5 47 


7 42 


594 


777 51 


4 29 


5 89 


6 88 


179 


898 26 


1 99 


3 95 


7 55 


450 


1,585 41 


5 21 


8 21 


11 01 


304 


2,516 77 


2 70 


5 91 


6 48 


930 



ztalan 

alJ Springs 

Dncorcl 

irmington 

ebron 

[onia 

sfFerson 

oshkonong 

»ke Mills 

'ilforcl 

aklauJ 

nlmyra 

-illivan 

.miner 

aterloo 

aterloo Village, 
atertown 



The following statistics from the report of the Secretary of the State for 1878, bearing 
irectly upon the schools and other interests, will serve to confirm what has already been cited 



368 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUXTY. 

eonceriiing the prosperity of the county. Among the general disbursements the High School 
at Fort Atkinson received $160.85; at Lake Mills, $299.55; at Watertown, §661.25. The 
Central Wisconsin Agricultural and Mechanical Association received §100. The Jefferson 
County Agricultural Society, §100. Oat of the §9,734 paid for bounties on wild animals in 
the several counties of the State, Jefferson County received §20 on wolves paid to Smith & 
Howard. The school apportionment of the county amounted to §5,300.10. Tiie apportion- 
ment from the delinquent ta.K fund, §13.26. The average value of stock and real estate in the 
county is as follows: Number of horses, 9,774; value, §473,538; average value, §53.96. Neat 
cattle, 28,186; value, §500,729; average value, §17.76. Mules and asses, 167; value, 
§10,635; average, §63.68. Sheep and lambs, 37,946; value, §63,403; average, §l.ti7. 
Swine, 23,381; value §49,913; average, §2.12. Wagons, carriages- and sleighs, 4,9(33; value, 
§126,61)4. Watclies, 550 ; value, §9,715. Pianos and melodeons. 571 ; value, §33,063. Shares 
of bank stock, 1,815; value, §247,236 ; value of merchandise stock, §429,354 ; value of all 
other personal property, §610,883. Total values of all personal property, §2,554,835. Num- 
ber of acres of land, 342,506 ; value, §8,217,906 ; average value, §24.29. Value of city and 
village lots, §2,193,760; value of all real estate, §10,511,666 ; total value of all property, 
§13,066,501. State tax, §17,875; county ta.x, §29,435; county school tax, §5,702. The 
bondeil indebtedness for railroad aid is §322,800 ; roads and bridges, §4,220 ; other purposes, 
§9,050 ; interest unpaid. §1,684 ; indebtedness of school districts, §4,421.06 ; total indebted- 
ness, §342,175.06. Number of acres of land sold in county in 1878, 12,482; consideration in 
deeds, §380,279.60 ; average per acre, §30.47 ; assessed value of same, §209,357 ; average, 
§16.77. Number of city and village lots sold, 293; consideration, §138,316.69; average per 
lot, §467.29; assessed value, §74,140; average per lot, §250.47. Number of acres under 
wheat, 37,496; corn, 24,991; oats, 15,249; barley, 4,993; rye, 1,163; potatoes, 1,776; root 
crops, 98; apple orchard, acres, 248; number of trees, 87,240; hops, 576 acres; tobacco, 75 
acres; grapes, 36 acres; growing timber, 35,781 acres. Number of milch cows, 15,444 ; value, 
§342,779. Bushels of wheat, 409,192 ; corn 794,200 ; oats 548,129 ; barley, 176,642 ; rye, 
108,302 ; potatoes, 185,377 ; root crops, 24,726 ; cranberries, 40 ; apples, 15,256 ; clover 
seed, 7,922; timothv, 206; hops, 528,126 pounds; tobacco, 92,375; grapes, 81,617; butter, 
607,125; cheese, 1,"744,861. 

The most casual observer of passing events cannot but have noticed a marked improvement 
in all the departments of industry during the past five years. Not only has more soil been 
brought under cultivation, but the tillage has become more thorough and systematic. The 
farmers, as a rule, have manifested a disposition to avail themselves of the inventions and labor- 
saving machinery which American skill is constantly providing to lighten the toils of the hus- 
bandman. As the sickle was abandoned for the cradle, so was the reaper in turn substituted 
for the cradle, accomplishing more in a day among the broad fields of waving grain than the 
primitive harvester could have garnered in a season. 

Fruit is receiving very general attention, and remedies removed the causes of previous 
failures. With ordinary care, every species of fruit known to the climate can be raised in 
abundance and thrifty orchards be cultivated " things of beauty " to the landscape, as also 
"joys forever " to the household in yielding a plentiful abundance of fruits that at one time 
could only be procured abroad. 

The dairy interests have also become prominent factors in the prosperity of the county, 
and the product of the cheese factories located at various places is said to be in constant and 
growing demand for the European markets. 

Hops and tobacco are grown successfully at any point in the county, where they are care- 
fully cultivated. The superior quality of the former has placed them among the best grades of 
the staple, and secured for them a reputation on the market that commands the preferences of 
buyers. The number of bales raised the present year will be about 1,200, and they will weigh 
an average of 200 pounds to the bale, worth, at present prices, about §60,000. Nearly half 
the crop lias been sold, at prices ranging from 20 to 25 cents. The crop is one of the best in 
q lality that has been raised in this county for a number of years. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 369 

Stock-raising is also receiving the attention the case of its nature demands, and the annual 
;xhibitions of pure breeds of cattle, horses, sheep and swine at the county fairs are indications 
)f the interest taken in a branch of farming that has, until late years, been supposedly con- 
ined to the celebrated "Blue Grass" region of Kentucky. 

Building materials are easily procurable, and flouring-mills, furniture, bedstead, chair, 
)room, boot and shoe, woolen, cigar and other factories, lumber and brick yards, saw and 
jlaning mills are monthly contributing to swell the population, .wealth and material resources of 
;he county. 

From the date of its settlement, the population has yearly increased, as will be seen from 
he following figures, and, with the return of better days, the prediction is ventured that the 
ncrease will be pvoportionally greater : 1838, 468 ; 1840, 914 ; 1842, 1,688 ; 1846, 8,680 : 
[850, 15,339 ; 1855, 26,869 ; 1860, 28,771 ; 1865, 30,597 ; 1870, 34,042 ; 1875, 84,908. 

In 1850, there were 2,933 dwellings, 25 manufactories, and 1.042 farms. In 1870, the 
Iwellings had increased to 6,606, the farms to 8,142, and the factories to 561. 

THE JEFFERSON COUNTY DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 

Tas first organized at a meeting of prominent dairymen, held in Odd-Fellows' Hall, Fort Atkin 
lon. on the 20th of December, 1870, at which Milo Jones presided, and W. D. Hoard, of Lake 
Vlills, officiated as Secretary. After a canvass of the subject, S. Favill, of Lake Mills, A. 
renkins, of Koshkonong, and D. M. Aspinwall, of Farmington, were appointed a committee to 
Iraft a plan for permanent organization. At an adjourned meeting, held at the same place, 
Fanuary 10, 1871, a constitution was adopted and the following board of officers elected: 
klilo Jones, of Fort Atkinson, President ; S. Favill, of Lake Mills, and J. M. Case, of Cold 
springs. Vice Presidents ; Q. C. Olin, of Oakland, Secretary, and Daniel Holmes, of Fort 
Atkinson, Treasurer. 

The organization continued in active existence for several years, and by its discussions, 
fhich were published at length in the county papers, exercised a marked influence in ditfusing 
- right understanding of dairy agriculture. It was in this association that the idea originated 
or the formation of the Wisconsin State Daii'ymen's Association, through a resolution offered 
)y W. D. Hoard, January 26, 1872, which has since grown into one of the most important 
nstitutions of its kind in the Northwest. 

The County Association is prospei'ing, the present officers being E. P. May, President ; Q. 
'). Olin and C. S- Cartwright, Vice Presidents ; H. C. Drake, Secretary, and R. F. Mc- 
yutchen. Treasurer. 

THE JEFFERSON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 

fas the outgrowth of a meeting held during the latter part of August or early in September, 
.853, at the grist-mill in Hebron. After some informal discussion, it was decided to issue a call 
or the meeting of all interested in the holding of a town fair. The meeting was convened on 
he 10th day of September, 1858, and, after a full discussion of the situation, a constitution and 
ly-laws were adopted, and the following list of officers elected (" The Jeiferson County Society " 
ras thus launched upon the tide of agricultural time) : President, Milo Jones, Ko.shkonong ; 
t'"ice Presidents, Peter Harsh, Milford, and Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; Treasurer, George P. 
klarston, Koshkonong ; Recording and Corresponding Secretary, S. C. Writer, Koshkonong ; 
Executive Committee — C. Bartlett, Milford ; H. H. Meas and John Wentworth, Koshkonong ; 
^. P. Parsons, Cold Spring ; George Blanchard, Lake Mills ; Gerard Crane, Oakland ; J. R. 
Dye, Hebron ; Myron Smith, Sullivan, and Enias D. Masters, Jeff"erson. 

The first annual fair of the Society was held on the grounds adjoining the Green Mountain 
Souse, in the village of Fort Atkinson, September 29 and 80, 1853, D. F. Weymouth, of Jef- 
'erson, but now a resident of the State of Minnesota, delivering the annual address. The displays 
•f stock, farm products, etc., were alike creditable to the exhibitors, as also to those who had the 
natter in charge, though their firilirii's were of the most meager character, the Society deivjaling 



370 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

upon the sales of annual membership tickets, which were rated at $1 each, for the means to 
defray expenses and pay premiums. 

The second annual fair was held on the same grounds, and was attended with a success more 
gratifying. 

At a meeting held Saturday, December 9, 1854, the following named officers were elected 
for the ensuing years, and the President was instructed to correspond with the several members 
of the Executive Committee with a view to ascertain which town was prepared to submit the 
most favorable terms for the holding of the next annual fair : President, Justus Carpenter, Pal- 
myra ; Vice Presidents — Asa F. Snell, Koshkonong, and J. D. Clapp, Milford ; Treasurer, 
Erastus Willard, Koshkonong ; Secretary, Milton Snell, Jefferson. Executive Committee, Enias 
D. Masters, Jefferson ; George W. Blanchard, Lake Mills ; W. J. Barrie and H. H. Wilds, 
Koshkonong ; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington ; Gideon Ives, Oakland ; N. P. Parsons, Cold 
Spring ; William Reynolds, Hebron, and George Hyer, Aztalan. 

At a meeting of the Committee held at the Court House, in Jefferson, March 2, 1855, the 
fair was located at Jefferson for five years, on groumls appropriated from the farm of William A. 
Whipple, in the eastern portion of the village, immediately beyond the village plat, where the 
annual fair was held on the 26th, 27th and 28th days of September of the same year. 

On the 5th of February, 1850, the following Board of officers was elected : President, 
Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; Vice Presidents — N. P. Parsons, Cold Spring, and E. D. Masters, 
Jefferson ; Secretary and Treasurer, Milton Snell, Fort Atkinson. Executive Committee — 
Kelly Atwood, Lake Mills ; H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; William Sanborn, Jefferson : G. Crane, 
Oakland ; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington; C. D. Topping, AVaterloo; Giles Kinney, Cold Spring; 
C. Bartlett, Milford; Peter H. Turner, Palmyra; John H. Wilcox, Hebron ; J. A. Hadley, Water- 
town ; J. F. Ostrander-, Aztalan ; H. L. Colton, Concord ; J. Nutter, Sullivan, and E. R. Adams, 
Ixonia ; the Committee being increased to fifteen, each town being represented therein. 

During that year, the Society received the §100 appropriated by legislative enactment to 
each county agricultural society that held an annual fair and made a report to the Secretary of 
State. 

The fourth annual fair was held on the Society's grounds in the village of Jefferson, October 
2 and 3, 1856, J. F. Ostrander delivering the address ; and at a meeting held December 23 fol- 
lowing, the annual Board was elected, viz.: President, Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; Vice Pres- 
idents — E. D. Masters, Jefferson, and Milo Jones, Koshkonong ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mil- 
ton Snell, Jefferson. Executive Committee — A. B. Smith, Lake Mills ; H. H. Wilds, Koshko- 
nong ; George Hyer, Aztalan ; Nelson Freyer, N. P. Parsons and Giles Kinney, Cold Springs ; 
0. P. Dow, Palmyra; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington; E. R. Adams, Ixonia; Gerard Crane, 
Oakland ; Myron Smith, Sullivan ; John A. Wilcox, Hebron ; C. Bartlett, Milford ; John 
Crosby, Waterloo, and William Sacia, Concord. 

During the following year, the grounds were enlarged by the addition of one acre, and the 
fifth annual exhibition held on the 17th and 18th of September, 1857, the terms of admission 
allowing the holder of a member's ticket to compete for premiums being $1. 

At a meeting of the Society held January 22, 1858, the following ticket was elected : Presi- 
dent, Milo Jones, Fort Atkinson ; Vice Presidents, D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington, and A. B. 
Curtis, Jefferson ; Secretary and Treasurer, Giles Kinney, Cold Spring. Executive Committee 
— Kelly Atwood, Lake Mills ; H. H. Wilds, Fort Atkinson ; J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; James 
Barr, Jefferson ; Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; Edwin Montgomery, Farmington ; N. P. Parsons, 
Cold Spring; E. R. Adams, Ixonia; Gerard Crane, Oakland; Peter Tubbs, Sullivan ; John A. 
Wilcox, Hebron ; C. Bartlett, Milford ; John Crosby, Waterloo ; and William Sacia, Concord. 

The sixth annual fair was held at Fort Atkinson about the last of September, and the fol- 
lowing officers were elected January 10, 1859 : President, Milo Jones, Fort Atkinson ; Vice 
Presidents, E. B. Fargo, Lake Mills, and Benjamin Nute, Milford ; Secretary, Robert Fargo, 
Lake Mills ; Treasurer, D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington. Executive Committee — H. H. Wilds, 
Koshkonong ; Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; James Barr, Jefferson ; C. Bartlett, Milford ; 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. • -i"! 

Lamb, Waterloo ; Giles Kinney, Cold Spring ; George W. Blanchard, Lake Mills ; J. D. Water- 
bury, Aztalan; and Edward Ward, Oakland. The seventh annual fair was held at Lake Mills, 
September 22 and 23, 1859, at which Giles Kinney, of Cold Spring, delivered the address, the 
receipts aggregating $154.36. 

At the annual meeting, held December 10, the following officers were chosen : President, 
Milo Jones, Fort Atkinson ; Vice Presidents, H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong, and J. F. Phillips, 
Lake Mills ; Secretary, Robert Fargo, Lake Mills ; Treasurer, A. B. Smith, Lake Mills. Execu- 
tive Committee — G. W. Blanchard, Lake Mills ; Lewis Squires, Waterloo ; Edward Ward, Oak- 
land ; Cromwell Bartlett, Milford ; H. J. Munro, Hebron ; Milton Snell, Jeiferson ; Joseph 
Lindon, Watertown ; Marcellus Finch, Koshkonong ; J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; and Giles 
Kinney, Cold Spring. 

The eighth annual exhibit was given at Lake Mills September 19 and 20, 1860, and the 
officers elected at a meeting which convened at Jefferson February 19, 1861, were, namely : 
President, H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; Vice Presidents, Justus Carpenter, Palmyra, and A. B. 
Smith, Lake Mills; Secretary, James Barr, Jefferson; Treasurer, A. H. Van Nostrand, Jeffer- 
son. Executive Committee — E. B. Fargo, Lake Mills ; George C. Smith, Oakland ; D. Folsom, 
Waterloo ; J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; E. D. Masters, Jefferson ; Milo Jones, Koshkonong ; 
W. W. Woodman, Farmington ; Nelson Freyer, Cold Spring ; Joseph Lindon, Watertown ; J. 
R. Dye, Hebron, and H. E. Coon, Palmyra. 

The ninth annual fair was held on the form of Cyrus Whitney, one mile south of the city 
of Jefferson, and was liberally patronized. The lot on which it was held was but partially 
inclosed, and, considering the prevailing excitement incident to the war, the success was most 
gratifying. 

The officers for the ensuing year were : President, Giles Kinney, Cold Spring ; Vice Pres- 
idents, E. B. Fargo, Lake Mills, and H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; Secretary, James Barr, and 
Treasurer, George L. Chapin, both of Jefferson ; Executive Committee — -J. B. Cooper, Lake 
Mills ; D. Folsom, Waterloo ; 0. P. Hyer, Aztalan ; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington ; Milo Jones, 
Fort Atkinson ; M. R. Clapp, Milford ; H. J. Munro, Hebron ; Justus Carpenter, Palmyra ; 
Thomas Rutherford, Oakland, and Nelson Freyer, Cold Spring. At a meeting of the committee, 
held September 17, 1862, it was decided to indefinitely postpone the holding of the tenth annual 
fair, the existence of the war doubtless being the moving cause, and, at an election of officers 
held in 1863, the following ticket prevailed: President, M. R. Clapp, Milford; Vice President, 
H. H. Wilds, Fort Atkinson ; Secretary and Treasurer, Robert Fargo, Lake Mills. Executive 
Committee — E. B. Fargo, Lake Mills ; H. J. Munro, Hebron ; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington ; 
D. Folsom, Waterloo ; J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; Robert Masters, Jefferson ; 0. P. Dow, Pal- 
myra ; A. H. Nichols, Watertown; Marvin Robberts, Oakland, and E. P. May, Fort Atkinson. 

The tenth annual fair of the Society was held September 17 and 18 of this year (1863), 
the receipts amounting to $286.85. 

At the annual meeting held in Jefferson, May 31, 1864, the following ticket was elected; 
H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; Vice Presidents, Daniel Folsom, Waterloo, and Joseph Lindon, 
Watertown. Executive Committee — Robert Masters, Jefferson ; Milo Jones, Koshkonong ; H. 
J. Munro, Hebron : Austin Kellogg, Concord ; E. B. Fargo, Lake Mills ; Josiah Drew, Water- 
loo ; Hiram Ward, Oakland ; A. H. Nichols, Watertown ; S. Wright, Cold Spring ; M. R. 
Clapp, Milford; J. B. Waite. Farmington; H. E. Coon, Palmyra; John Perry, Ixonia ; E. 
Schuyler, Aztalan ; Charles G. Hammerquist, Sumner, and W. P. Forsyth, Sullivan. 

The fair was located at Watertown for the three following years, the first of the series being 
held October 4, 5 and 6, 1864, the annual election for officers occurring during its continuance 
and resulting as follows : President, Daniel Jones, Watertown ; Vice Presidents, Joseph Sin- 
clair, Watertown, and .J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; Secretary, Robert Tompkins, and Treasurer, 
L. A. Cole, both of Watertown. Executive Committee — Captain Robert Masters, Jefferson ; 
Hiram E. Coon, Palmyra ; W. P. Forsyth, Sullivan ; H. J. Munro, Hebron ; Alanson Pike, 
Cold Spring ; S. W. Budlong, Waterloo ; John Whittet, Jr., Sumner ; Hiram Ward, Oakland ; 



372 UISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

II. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; 0. P. Ilyer, Aztalan ; Henry Francisco, Lake Mills ; Harrison 
Ivoons, Concord ; E. P. Ingalls, Milford ; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington ; E. R. Adams, Ixonia, 
and H. H. Nichols, Watertown. 

The annual fair was held September 13, 14 and 15, 1865, Hiram Barber, Jr., at present a 
Representative in Congress from Chicago, delivering the address, and §110 being paid in trot- 
ting purses. 

An election for officers was held in Watertown, March 3. 1866, resulting as follows : Pres- 
ident, M. R. Clapp, Milford; Vice Presidents, J. Lindon, Watertown, and E. B. Fargo, Lake 
Mills; Secretary and Treasurer the Hon. Patrick Rogan and A. H. Nichols, both of Water- 
town. Executive Committee — J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; William Sacia, Concord; Nelson 
Freyer, Cold Spring; J. B. Waite, Farmington : Amos H. Burnham, Hebron; E. R. Adams, 
Ixonia; E. D. Masters, Jefferson; Milo Jones, Koshkonong; Homer Cook, Lake Mills; E. P. 
Ingalls, Milford; L. Stetson, Oakland; H. E. Coon, Palmyra; Myron Smith, Sullivan; C. G. 
ILimmerquist, Sumner; Clark M. Whitney, Watertown; Col. Henry Bertram, Watertown 
City, and James K. Ryder, Waterloo. 

The Tieasurers report, as submitted at the annual meeting, showed a net indebtedness of 
§37. 64. The annual fair was held October 4, 5 and 6, 1866, at which the receipts from all 
sources amounted to $446.07 ; the disbursements to §453.57. Dr. John W. Hoyt, of Madison, 
delivered the address, receiving therefor the sum of §30. The Society decided to hold the fair 
at Jefferson for a period of ten years, and the following officers were elected for the year 1867 : 
President, H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong; Vice Presidents, J. Lindon, Watertown, and 0. Manning, 
Lake Mills ; Treasurer, George Trucks, Jefferson. Executive Committee — E. P. Ingalls, Mil- 
ford; William Eustis, Oakland; George W. Blanchard, Lake Mills; Elias Schuyler, Aztalan; 
Milo Jones, Koshkonong; C. S.Crittenden, Hebron; C. G. Hammenjuist, Sumner; H. E. Coon, 
Palmyra" Alanson Pike, Cold Spring; E. R. Adams, Ixonia; D. Folsom, Waterloo; Joseph L. 
Hall, Watertown; A. H. Nichols, Watertown City; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington; William 
Sacia, Concord; Earl Newton, Sullivan, and J. Barr, Jefferson. 

At a meeting of the committee held June 11, 1867, it was decided to locate its fair grounds 
one-half mile northwest of the village, which was done, and the exposition held thereon October 
[>, 10 and 11, J. C. Converse, of Beloit, delivering the address. 

The ofKcers for 1868 were: President, D. Folsom, Waterloo ; Vice Presidents, D. M. 
Aspinwall, Farmington ; J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan, and E. P. May. Fort Atkinson ; Secretary, 
George J. Clapp, Milford; Treasurer, William Eustis, Oakland; E.xecutive Committee — E. P. 
Ingalls, Milford ; Robert Thomas, Lake Mills ; Harvey Foster, Aztalan ; H. H. Wilds, Kosh- 
konong ; II. J. Munro, Hebron ; John Whittet, Jr., Sumner ; H. E. Coon, Palmyra ; N. 
Freyer, Cold Spring ; E. R. Adams, Ixonia ; J. C. Leonardson, Waterloo ; Clark M. Whitney, 
Watertown ; Walter Pease. Watertown City ; J. Aspinwall, Farmington ; J. Frank, Concord ; 
D. Reed, Sullivan, and Orrin Henry, Jefferson. 

During the summer of 1867, a contract was executed between the Society and Orrin Henry, 
by the terms of which the permanent occupation of the grounds whereon the Society held its 
fairs was secured to the latter (the Society) for a consideration of §1,000. Thereafter the 
grounds were handsomely inclosed, buildings for Horticultural and Floral Halls erected, a half- 
mile track raised and graded, and such other improvements perfected as were necessary to a sat- 
isfactory occupation of the premises. At tiie annual fair held September 22, 23 and 24, 1868, 
*■ Clementine," a now celebrated trotting mare, well known to the public for superiority in 
style, gait, action and speed, made her first appearance in public on this track, when her fine 
points and superior excellence were exhibited. She was then oivned by S. B. Iliggins, Budd 
Doble being her present ]iroprietor. 

The annual election that took place at Jefferson, January 9, 1869, resulted as follows : 
President, Q. C. Olin ; Vice Presidents, E. P. May, Fort Atkinson, and Charles Stoppenbach, 
Jeflerson ; Secretary. George J. Clapp, Milford; Treasurer, William Eustis, Oakland: Execu- 
tive Committee — Cromwell Bartlctt, Milford; Hiram Ward, Oakland: C. II. Phillips, Lake 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 373 

Mills ; J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan ; H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; H. J. Munro, Hebron ; John 
Whittet, Jr., Sumner ; 0. F.Weed, Palmyra ; Nelson Freyer, Cold Spring ; E. R. Adams, I.xonia ; 

D. Folsom, Waterloo ; J. K. Ryder, Waterloo A''illage ; Walter Pease, Watertown; Clark M. 
Wliitney, Watertown City; James Kelmer, Farmington ; William Sacia, Concord ;"E. Newton, 
Sullivan ; E. D. Masters, Jeflerson : Orrin Heni-y, Jefferson, and W. M. Barrie, Fort 
AtkiiLson. 

The annual fair was held one week prior to the State fair, and the Jefiferson County Board 
of Supervisors appropriated .^400 to the Society. 

The oHicers elected in 1870 were : President, Q. C. Olin ; Vice Presidents, C. Stoppen- 
bach, Jefferson, and J. D. Waterbury, Aztalan; Secretary, Jackson Jones, Jefferson ; Treasurer, 
William Eustis, Oakland ; E.xecutive Committee — 0. Manning, Aztalan ; Nelson Freyer, Cold 
Spring: William Sacia, Concord; H. J. Munro, Hebron; E. R. Adams, I.xonia; C. Copeland, 
Jefferson; W. W. Woodman, Farmington ; H. H. Wilds, Koshkonong ; J. D. Royce, Oakland; 
S. B. Higgins, Palmyra ; George W. Blanchard, Lake Mills ; N. S. Green, Milford ; John 
Whittet, Sumner ; D. Fulsom, Waterloo ; H. Van Slyke, Waterloo City ; C. M. Whitney, Water- 
town ; Walter Pease, Watertown City; F. Towne, Lake Mills Village, and F. C. Webb, Pal- 
myra Village. 

The fair was held in September, 1870. and was reasonably successful. 

The officers elected February 8, 1871, were: President, Q. C. Olin, Oakland; Vice Pres- 
idents — R. Schwelleabach, Jefferson ; A. D. Favill, Lake Mills, and S. B. Higgins, Palmyra ; 
Secretary, W. R. Harvey. Lake Mills ; Treasurer, Solon Brown, Jefferson ; E.xecutive Com- 
mittee — E. Schuyler, Aztalan ; Nelson Freyer, Cold Spring ; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington ; E. 
R. Adams, Ixonia; W. H. Tousley, Jefferson ; Chas. Copeland, Jefferson Village ; H. H. Wilds, 
Koshkonong ; Milo Jones, Fort Atkinson ; Homer Cook, Lake Mills ; S. Lewis, Lake Mills 
Village ; Joshua Thayer, Palmyra : Miles Wilber, Palmyra Village ; Charles Woolensack, 
Watertown ; Walter Pease, Watertown City ; H. M. Mead, Waterloo ; J. Hazen, Waterloo 
Village ; D. Gardner, Milford ; William Eustis, Oakland ; Darius Reed, Sullivan ; H. J. 
Munro, Hebron, and John Whittet, Sumner. 

The annual fair was held on the 19th, 20th and 21st of September, 1871, and the total 
receipts were .5y9ti-25. 

The officers elected at the Court House January 10, 1872, were: President, Q. C. Olin, 
Oakland ; Vice Presidents — E. Newton, Sullivan ; E. D. Masters, Jefferson, and H. H. Wilds, 
Koshkonong ; Secretary, David E. Baker, and Treasurer, James Barr, both of Jefterson ; 
Executive Committee — E. Schuyler, Aztalan ; Nelson Freyer, Cold Spring ; Austin Kellogg, 
Concord ; D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington ; E. R. Adams, Lxonia ; Charles Copeland, Jeffei'son ; 
William Zohlaut, Jefferson City; E. H. Bingham, Koshkonong; D. W. Curtis, Fort Atkinson; 
Homer Cook, Lake Mills ; Samuel G. Lewis, Lake Mills Village ; D. Gardner, Milford ; Will- 
iam Eustis, Oakland ; Joshua Thayer, Palmyra ; S. B. Higgins, Palmyra A^'illage ; Robert 
Hays, Sullivan ; H. J. JMunro, Hebron ; C. G. Hammcrquist, Sumner ; Charles Woolensack, 
Watertown ; Walter Pease, Waterloo Village ; D. Folsom, Waterloo, and J. K. Ryder, Water- 
loo Village. 

The annual fair was held September 17, 18, 19 and 20th, with gratifying results. 

Officers elected at Jefferson February 8, 1873, were : President, Q. C. Olin, Oakland ; 
Vice Presidents — D. W. Curtis, Fort Atkinson ; E. D. Masters, Jefferson, and Walter Pease, 
AVatertown ; Secretary, D. E. Baker, and Treasurer, James Barr, both of Jefferson ; Execu- 
tive Committee — E. Schuyler^ Aztalan ; William Mulks, Cold Spring ; H. J. Munro, Hebron ; 

E. R. Adams, Ixonia; Chas. Copeland, Jefferson; W. W. Reed, Jefferson Village; H. H. 
Wilds, Koshkonong; Ed. Rankin, Fort Atkinson; Joshua Thayer, Palmyra; S. B. Higgins, 
Palmyra Village ; Daniel Metcalf, Watertown ; S. G. Randall, Watertown City ; Daniel Ful- 
som, Waterloo; C. P. Mead. Waterloo Village; C. G. Hammerquist, Sumner; D. Reed, Sul- 
livan ; Homer Cook, Lake Mills ; George J. Clapp, Milfoi-J, and Hiram Ward, Oakland. 

The fair was held during the latter part of September. 



374 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

The annual meeting was convened in the Court House at Jefferson on Saturdaj', January 
3, 1874, at which a resolution, offered by W. D. Hoard, Esq., editor of the Jefferson Comity 
Union, providing that, in the future, the officers of the Society should consist of a President, 
two Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Recording and Corresponding Secretary, a Board of Directors, 
consisting of one from each town and incorporated village (seven of which should constitute a 
quorum), and an Executive Committee of five, appointed by the President, was adopted, and the 
following officers elected under its direction : President, Q. C. Olin, Oakland ; Vice Presi- 
dents — William Eustis, Oakland, and N. S. Green, Milford : Secretary, D. W. Curtis, Fort 
Atkinson; Treasurer, no record of any election; Board of Directors — E. Schuyler, Aztalan ; 

Knopf, Concord ; N. S. Cornish, Cold Spring : C. B. Scott, Farmington ; H. J. Munro, 

Hebron; E. R. Adams, Ixonia; Charles Copeland. Jefferson; George Trucks, Jefferson City; 
J. F. Morrison, Koshkonong ; Edward Rankin, Fort Atkinson ; H. E. Coon, Palmyra ; S. B. 
Higgins, Palmyra Village; Stephen Favill, Lake Mills; Charles H. Phillips, LakeMills Vil- 
lage ; David Folsom, Waterloo ; S. J. Conklin. Waterloo Village ; James Whalen, Watertown ; 
Walter Pease, Watertown City ; George J. Clapp, Milford ; Hiram Ward. Oakland : Earl 
Newton, Sullivan, and Edwin Krump, Sumner ; Executive Committee — William Eustis, Oak- 
land ; Stephen Favill, Lake Mills; George J. Clapp, Milford; S. B. Higgins, Palmyra, and 
Orrin Henrv, Jefferson. 

The fair was held September 23, 24 and 25, and was conceded a pronounced success, the 
receipts totalizing upward of $2,000. Premiums were largely increased in amounts on blood 
stock, and .?50 paid as premium on butter and cheese. 

A large number of improvements were made in the buildings of the grounds, the cattle- 
sheds, stalls, etc. A Rockford artist, at the instance of the Society, gave stereoscopic views 
during the continuance of the fair, and there were many other features of interest to visitors. 
Among the latter were members of the different Grange organizations throughout the county, 
who, on the last day of the exhibition, formed an escort to the Hon. Matt H. Carpenter, the 
orator of the day. 

At the annual meeting, held at Jefferson December 19, 1874, the following list of officers 
was elected : President, Charles Stoppenbach, Jefferson : Vice Presidents. David Gardner, Mil- 
ford ; William Phillips, Lake Mills, and Daniel Folsom, Waterloo. A Board of Directors, con- 
sisting of one from each town, was also elected; and the annual fair was held on the 15th, 16th 
and 17th of September, 1875, which added largely to the Society's resources. 

The annual meeting was convened at Jefferson December 21, 1875, at which several impor- 
tant amendments, recommended by a committee consisting of W. H. Porter, of Jefferson, W. S. 
Green, of Milford, and Q. C. Olin, of Oakland, were adopted and the election held. Among 
the most important of the amendments was the one providing that thereafter the life member- 
ship fee should be §10 ; conferring the management of the Society's affairs upon a President, 
Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, who, with five Trustees, to be elected annually, were 
to constitute the Executive Committee, the interests of the Society in the several county towns 
being delegated to a Board of Directors made up of members from each town. The officers 
elected were ; Charles Stoppenbach, of Jefferson, President : W. S. Green, of Milford, Vice 
President ; George J. Clapp, of Milford, Secretary ; Solon Brown, of Jefferson, Treasurer, and 
J. D. Bullock, of Farmington ; Henry Haskell, Jefferson ; N. Freyer, Cold Spring ; Edward 
Rankin, Fort Atkinson, and Robert Fargo, Lake Mills, Board of Trustees. 

At a meeting of the Executive Committee, held in Jefferson January 15, 1876, 0. S. Cor- 
nish, of Fort Atkinson, and William Phillips, of Lake Mills, were appointed Trustees, vice 
Edward Rankin and Robert Fargo, resigned. 

The annual fair was held on the 18th, 19th and 20th of September, 1876; but, beyond 
good exhibitions of speed and a match game of base-ball, no new features were presented. The 
receipts aggregated upward of §2,000. 

The annual meeting was held at Jefferson January 9, 1877, when the election for officers 
was held, as follows : W. S. Green, of Milford, President ; Charles Stoppenbach, of Jefferson, 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 375 

Vice President ; D. W. Curtis, of Fort Atkinson, Secretary ; S. Brown, of Jefferson, Treas- 
urer ; J. D. Bullock, of Farmington ; L. M. Goodime, Koshkonong ; Nelson Freyer, Cold 
Spring ; H. C. Drake, Milford, and D. M. Aspinwall, Farmington, Trustees. 

The Society, through its Executive Committee, purchased one-third of an acre of land 
from C. D. Fuller, and three acres of Joseph Puerner, for $680, which gave them a beautiful 
grove and furnished accommodations for all of the buildings outside the track. 

The annual fair was held at the usual dates in September, 1877, the entries being in 
excess of those of any previous year. All the departments were well filled, especially Floral 
Hall, which was very attractive. A. McDonald, of Chicago, gave a chariot race daily, which 
was highly applauded, and all things combined to render the undertaking additionally successful. 
the receipts footing up $3,748.78. One feature of the fair this year was the exhibition of butter 
and cheese, which exceeded that of any previous season. 

The annual meeting convened at Jefferson, January 8, 1878, and elected the following 
officers: W. S. Green, of Milford, President; J. D. Bullock, of Johnson's Creek, Vice Presi- 
dent; D. W. Curtis, of Fort Atkinson, Secretary, and Solon Brown, of Jelferson, Treasurer; 
Robert Fargo, of Lake Mills ; L. Stetson, Oakland ; A. T. Seaver, Jefferson ; R. S. White, 
Koshkonong, and J. C. Wilson, Palmyra, Trustees. 

During the summer of 1878, additional improvements were made upon the grounds and 
buildings, and the officers contributed by every available means at their command to make 
a success of their undertakirfg that deserved encouragement. . The season opened on September 
17, concluding on the 20th, and the display of each department, notably that of butter and 
and cheese, was especially fine. Floral Hall was a creation of artistic loveliness, and the Indian 
relics exhibited by Henry Haskell, of Jefferson, and Dr. E. W. Stone, of Fort Atkinson, 
attracted the admiration of the student and layman, for in them he saw the unwritten language 
of heroic deeds and tribal relations. A. McDonald illustrated in his chariot races a type of life 
which departed with the Conscript Fathers, and Signor Pedonto, a daring aerial navigator, that 
type of life which is rapidly attaining its solution. 

On January 17, 1879, the annual meeting of the Society was held at Jefferson, when an 
election of officers occurred, with the following result: R. S. White, of Fort Atkinson, Presi- 
dent ; J. D. Bullock, of Farmington, Vice President, and D. W. Curtis, of Fort Atkinson, 
Secretary ; Henry Haskell, of Jefferson ; Hiram Ward, Oakland ; J. C. Willson, Palmyra ; 
Robert Fargo, of Lake Mills, and C. S. Cartwright, Sullivan, Trustees. 

The fair for 1879 was held on the company's grounds September 16, 17, 18 and 19, and 
was largely attended, the entries being liberal in all departments, particularly the agricultural 
and horticultural products. Floral Hall was especially attractive, being filled with the handi- 
work of the housewife, maiden and little miss. The department of fine arts was also generously 
filled with works of art contributed by friends and patrons of the association. 

Among the features commanding notice was the Swarts steam road engine, which fur- 
nished power for a large portion of the machinery exhibited, and the Indian relics, specimens of 
Lake Superior ores, etc. 

On Thursday, the 18th, Prof. Clark made a successful balloon ascension, starting from the 
grounds about 3 o'clock and pursuing a southwesterly direction until the farm of Zebina Wilson 
near the town of Palmyra was reached, where he landed, making the distance, eight miles, in 
forty minutes. Addresses were made by Gov. William E. Smith, of Wisconsin, and the Hon. 
L. B. Caswell, member of Congress from the Fort Atkinson District, which were to the point 
and well received. 

The educational department, under the supervision of C. J. Collier, County Superintendent, 
was creditable to himself, the teachers and the county, the exhibits meriting and receiving much 
attention. 

The total receipts of the fair from all sources were $3,800, while the prizes were of the 
most liberal character. 



376 



HISTORY OF JEFFEKSOX COUNTY. 



AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

The general practice of the farmers of the county is to crop the uphmds with wheat, corn 
and oats, the two first mentioned being the principal crop relied upon for market. The prairie 
and burr oak lands, as a general rule, are the best for corn ; the white oak for wheat ; the tim- 
bered and marsh lands for grasses. Clover is successfully grown, in favorable seasons, on the 
prairie and more compact soils, but is more reliable on the light and sandy portions and the 
timbered lands. Oats grow well in all parts of the county. The crop of this grain is usually 
good, except in dry summers. Spring wheat, too, is generally a fair crop. Winter wheat, 
which, at an early day, was usually a heavy crop and of fine quality, after awhile began to 
prove a failure, caused by dryness of winters and want of snow, as well as by continual crop- 
ping in succession. There are now indications of a return to the successes of former days in 
this crop. Corn is generally a fair crop — never an entire failure. The substitution of sheep 
husbandry for exclusive wheat growing, has been f jund profitable on tiie best grass lands. 
Stock-growing for dairy purposes has been found profitable in all cases where proper attention 
has been given to the selection of animals, and proper provision made for their care and feed. 
The root crops used for feeding, grow luxuriantly with deep and clean culture, and produce 
bountifully on all dry lands not over-cropped. 

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS FOR 1865. 



Bushels, 



Valuation, 



Pounds, 



Tuna. 



Wheat 

Barley 

Rye 

Oals 

Corn 

Clover Seed 

Hay 

Potatoes 

Butter 

Cheese 

Sorghum Molasses.. 

Maple Sugar 

Wool 



28,087 

836 

1.48-5 

8,905 

7,873 



21,008 



268,184 

4.830 

9.704 

215,994 

238,372 



109.167 



$295, 

6, 

12, 

99, 

151, 

9, 

172 

63, 

72 

4, 

S, 

10, 

80, 



909 

336 
349 
137 
510 
343 
422 
116 
221 
523 
863 
495 
347 



67,813 



338,687 
96,650 



102,346 



26,486 



AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS FOR 1877. 



Wheat 

Corn 

Oats 

Barley 

Rye 

Potatoes 

Root Oops.. 
Cranberries . 
Apples 



Bushels. 
.409.192 
.794,200 
.548,129 
.176,642 
.108,.3O2 
,185,377 
, 24,726 
40 
,. 15,2.6 



Clover Seed 

Timothy Seed. 



Bushels. 

7,926 

205 

Pounds. 

Hops o2^,12« 

Tobacco 92,375 

Grapes 81.iil7 

Butter 607,125 

Cheese I,744,fc61 




HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 377 



WAR RECORD. 

When Pericles was called upon to deliver the oration over those who had fallen in the first 
campaign of the Peloponnesian war (according to Thucydides), he began by extolling Athens, and 
having expatiated upon her glories, her institutions and her sciences, concluded by exclaiming, 
" For such a republic, for such a nation, the people whom we this day mourn fell and died." In 
referring to the " roll of honor " which nearly twenty years ago combined to defeat treason in 
this our native land, it may not be inappropriate to recur briefly to the condition of that country 
when the mighty arm of military power was invoked that the majesty of the law might be 
maintained. 

The nineteenth century dawned upon this nation glorious in the promise of a prophetic 
infancy. Tyranny and oppression, twin offspring of an inhuman parent, had been strangled 
but a few years before. In 1860, the development of the resources of the States was but just begin- 
ning, and, under an acceptable and wholesome form of government, progressing rapidly. The 
finances of the country, notwithstanding the panic of 1857, were in a healthy and promising 
condition. Money was plenty, times "flush," to use a suggestive expression of the day; the 
factory and loom made music all the day long, and the voice of the husbandman was heard amid 
the fields of ripening grain. Ererywhere and on every side evidences of prosperity were man- 
ifest. In bleak New England and the Sunny South, at the East and in the city beside the bay 
whose waters ebb and flow through the Golden Gate, comfort, contentment and happiness 
was the trinity to be found at every fireside. The commercial and marine interests were 
were second to no nation on tlie globe; its paper was " gilt-edged," to express it commercially, 
and the white sails of America's shipping were almost as numerous on the seas as the white caps 
that crested the waves. Immigration from continental Europe landed on our shores in an end- 
less stream, contributing to the wealth as also to the horny-handed element of strength and 
industry, without which nations go down to welcome penury and forgetfulness. At every hearth- 
stone and in every household, when the thoughts of home and country came, a prayer of thanks- 
giving went up to the Great Father that our love was not lavished in vain, and man was enabled 
to rise from the sorrows and disappointments of his every-day life as sunset's red glories or the 
moon's silver hair floating down the broad-breasted mountains. 

This was the condition of affairs. 

The rumbling of the coming storm had been heard at intervals in the halls of Congress, on 
the stump, in the pulpit, at the hustings, when a Toombs or a Yancey lifted up a voice in 
defense of the slave power and its extension into the Territories. But its admonitions came and 
went as the idiosyncrasies of radical intolerance. As a result, many have gone before, and wait 
upon the threshold of Paradise for the coming of those loved ones left behind, who have 
exchanged the feeble pulses of a transitory existence for the ceaseless throbbings of eternal life. 
Faithful and fearless on the march, in the strife and at the victory or defeat, they at last laid 
down at the mysterious frontier, leaving the exalted hope behind that, though the world was lost 
forever, there would be unfurled another realm of unimaginable glory, where they and all whom 
they loved on earth might realize the promise which the Great Ruler of the Universe has made 
unto the just. 

These "idiosyncrasies," as will be remembered, culminated on the 12th of April, 1861, 
when Fort Sumter, ofl' Charleston, was fired into by the rebels. Notwithstanding this overt 
act of treason, this first act in the bloody reality which followed was looked upon as mere 
bravado; but when, a day later, Maj. Anderson's surrender was announced, the patriotic people 
of the North were startled from their dream of the future, from undertakings half completed, 
and made to realize that behind all there was a dark, deep and well-determined purpose to. 



378 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUXTT. 

destroy the Government, and upon its ruins erect an oligarchy, the corner-stone of which should 
be "slavery." But the dreams of these marplots were doomed to disappointment. Their 
plans for the establishment of a " Southern Confederacy " were to be overthrown, if not in their 
inception, before realization. 

Immediately upon the promulgation of the news of the surrender. President Lincoln, who 
but a few short weeks before had taken the oath of office, issued his call for troops in the 
following 

PKOCLAMATIO.S'. 

Whereas, The laws of the United States have been, and now are, violently opposed in several States by com- 
binations too powerful to be suppressed in the ordinary way, 1 therefore call for the militia of the several Stales of 
the Union to the aggregate number of 75,000, to suppress said combination and execute the laws. I appeal to all 
lawful citizens to facilitate and aid in this effort to maintain the laws and the integrity of the perpetuity of 
the popular government, and redress wrongs long enough endured. The lirsi service assigned to the forces, 
probably, will be to repossess the forts, places and property which have been seize i from the Union. Let the utmost 
care be talcen, consistent with the oliject, to avoid devastation, ilestruction, interference with tlie property of peaceful 
citizens in any part of the country ; and I hereby command the persons composing the aforesaid combination to dis- 
perse within twenty days from date. 

I hereby convene both houses of Congress for the 4th day of July next, to determine upon measures of public 
safety, which the interest of the subject demands. Abraham Ltncoln, President of (he United States. 

VViLLiAM H. Seward, Secretary of State. 

The gauntlet thus thrown down by the traitors of the South was accepted in a firm, deter- 
mined spirit of patriotism and love of country. -The world knows with what ready assent the 
people of the North responded to the call for the defense of that Union they hoped to preserve. 
The world knows how they, in the strength of this hope, struggled and fought with the legions 
of wrong till the armor of many was caught in the glint and sunlight of eternity, ere the dews 
had gone to heaven or the stars had gone to God. 

War meetings were iield all over the county, and the scenes witnessed in the cities and sur- 
rounding country were not different in any respect from those which occurred throughout the 
North. The press, the pulpit, the bar and the assemblies of men, both public and private, 
teemed with well-timed and patriotic expressions in behalf of the enforcement of the law and 
maintenance of the Union. In the city of Jefferson, meetings were held at the Court House 
and in the various churches, which were addressed by Gov. Washburn, T. 0. Howe, G. B. Smith, 
Lieut. Gov. J. E. Holmes, D. F. Weymouth, A. H. Van Norstrand and others, and the sentiments 
of patriotism which here found expression were taken up and borne to the furthermost parts of 
the county. 

At Fort Atkinson, meetings were convened in the Town Hall, the schoolhouses and at 
other eligible points, at which speeches were made by Thurlow Weed Brown, L. B. Cas- 
well and others ; funds were subscribed for the equipment of volunteers, and a company, the 
" Black Hawk Rifles," enlisted for active and immediate service, as Virginia, the last link upon 
which hung all hopes of a reconciliation, seceded. 

What was true of Jefferson and the Fort will apply to the township, villages and hamlets 
generally. The people throughout the county were keenly alive to the gravity of the situation, 
and, so far as they were able, contributed to the demands made upon their resources. What was 
true, in all respects, of the cities mentioned, was true of Aztalan, Hebron, Palmyra, Waterloo, 
Ixonia, Johnson's Creek, and at less prominent and frequented points. Money was subscribed, 
enlistments went forward to the field, societies were organized, and the inhabitants seemed each 
to vie with the other in emulative enterprise for the promotion of the business in hand. 

It is impossible for the historian to do that justice to the people their merits deserve. The 
task of compiling an imperfect record of the part taken by Jefferson County in the contest for 
national supremacy has been attended with extreme diffidence and embarrassment, and its 
accomplishment with extreme difficulty. Her soldiers sleep on nearly every battle-field, and, 
as the slumbers of night enfold us in their embrace, the curtain lifts to reveal to us the white 
shore against which the pale waters beat — beyond which, in the gleams of a morning-lit land, 
are seen fathers and brothers and lovers and friends in peaceful, sanctified rest, wondering, if 




mm ATKINSON 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. ■ ' 381 

wonder they can, why mortals cling to their frail clay with sighs, for journey over the beautiful 
river into the unknown and to those we love, though lonesome, is brief ; many went yesterday, 
more will go to-day, and there are dews to be shed for the departures of to-morrow. Those who 
survived returned to the welcome of loving hearts and homes, their faces dimpled as by the 
fingers of joy. They traveled through strange and weary paths, from trials and toils and 
defeat and death, to the unutterable happiness of a mother's love, a sister's embrace or the hal- 
lowed affection of a wife. 

As the days of the strife became months, and months lengthened into years, and demands 
for men and money were repeatedly levied upon the inhabitants of the county, such levies were 
promptly responded to. The choicest that remained after the constant strain made on these 
resources replied as cheerfully as they did to the first call to arms, and hurried to the scenes of 
strife where men died and made no moan and only the wounded were known by their voices. 
The world never witnessed such an uprising of the masses, such a unanimity of sentiment, such 
willingness to make every sacrifice for a continuance of that republican form of government 
guaranteed by the Constitution. Age forgot its crutch, labor its task, to join in the defense of 
the Lmion, and all the available sources of supply combined to accomplish the end in view — an 
honorable peace with that Union preserved. 

And what can be said of the volunteer soldiers who bore the weight of battle ? What words 
can the pen employ to do them justice ? What notes of the most exquisite harmony can sound 
their heroic valor 'i Home, with all its saci'ed associations and comforts, was given up — ^wives 
and little ones were surrendered to the care of the State ; fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, like 
the Gracchi of old, yielded up their blood upon the altar of their country's need, and wept not 
at the sacrifice. Time has gone on with the living since the sad days when it stood still with 
the dead, but the widow and the orphan know that the husband and the father, life's shadows 
ended, will meet them at eternity's gate, and that an exceeding peace will some time succeed the 
grief that is at times too dark for faith. 

Thousands of those brave men are sleeping their last sleep amid the palms and crosses until 
resurrection day. Visit not their tombs in tears, yet deeply burn in the Pantheon of the heart 
those memories which bind their lives and deaths. " Smother me with flowers ; let the air 
resound with music, as go I to my eternal sleep," said the Count de Mirabeau eighty years ago. 
For the dead soldiers let there be songs not sighs, fresh flowers not badges of mourning — neither 
tears nor clouds, but bright dews and bright dawnings together. Let the memory of their 
immortal deeds be their monuments, reminding those who survive of the blood they were a part 
of In the morning, before the king of day surrenders his golden banners, in the noontide and 
as the twilight advances through meadow and woodland, let that memory be ever present and 
impel the American citizen, disarmed of resentment, to a confidence and brotherly love that 
shall shine with irresistible splendor — a Union restored, reform triumphant and a government 
vindicated. 

llecruiting for the First Cavalry was begun June 30, 1861, and the first regiment of this branch 
of the service, recruited in Wisconsin, is indebted to Jefferson County for some of its most valu- 
able material. Companies D, F and I, were commanded by ofiicers and in part made up of 
soldiers enlisted in this county. Company D was ofiicered by Capt. Nelson Bruett, at that time 
and still a resident of the city of Jefferson, where he is at present engaged in the practice of law ; 
the latter companies being recruited at Fort Atkinson, Koshkonong, Hebron and at points more 
distant, commanded in part by Capt. Newton Jones, who was mustered out as Major of the regi- 
ment, and Lieut. J. H. Morrison, who resigned March 25, 1862, together with Surgeon Gregory, 
all of whom were from Jeflerson County. 

The regiment was organized at Kenosha, during the winter of 1861-62, where, after a 
period of drill, discipline and preparation, it was mustered into service on the H'th day of March, 
in the latter year, and proceeded September 17 following to St. Louis, there being quartered at 
Benton Barracks. A brief halt was made here, when, tlie troubles in Southern Missouri requir- 
ing the presence of a force to maintain a more healthy Union feeling, the First was sent thither 

£ 



382 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON" COUNTY. 

for that purpose, and camped at Cape Girardeau. From thence it was dispatched to Bloomfield, 
where the Confederate camp of Col. Phelan was distributed about the country, the main force, 
however, fleeing into Arkansas, pursued by the First. The pursuit was attended with the loss 
of Surgeon Gregory, who, while watering his horse in the St. Francis River, near Chalk Bluff, 
was shot and mortally wounded, his death occurring a day or so thereafter. 

From Bloomfield the regiment was scattered in various directions, meeting with hardships 
and privations innumerable, until July 8, 1862, when it made a second advance into Arkansas, 
accompanied by a wagon train. After a campaign which was not altogether free from hair- 
breadth escapes by flood or field, the regiment went into camp at Helena, where it remained 
from August 8 to September 22, when it was returned to Cape Girardeau, in a condition of 
depletion caused by disease and death, almost unprecedented. The regiment did scouting duty 
until October, 1862, and then put to flight Col. Boone, who, with 600 cavaliers, was encamped 
in the neighborhood of Patterson. 

On the 31st of May, 1863, the regiment embarked for Nashville, where it landed on June 
15, and three days after was assigned to McCook's Brigade, Mitchell's Division. Stanley's Corps, 
Army of the Cumberland. Previous to this, and in January of the same year, it was detached 
from Gen. Benton's force and sent to Pilot Knob, thence to St. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau and 
Bloomfield, where it became a part of Gen. McNeil's command, with which it participated in 
the battle of Cape Girardeau. Its first movement after being assigned to the Army of the Cum- 
berland, was in the direction of Murfreesboro, en route to which point it camped on the battlefield 
of Stone River, and united with the Union forces at Triune. On the 2-lrth of June. Gen. Rose- 
cranz attempted to rescue East Tennessee from the possession of Gen. Bragg by an attempt to 
drive the Confederate forces back into Georgia. As is known, he flanked the rebel chief at 
Tullahoma, and again at Chattanooga, after passing the Cumberland Mountains, concluding the 
campaign with the battle of Chickamauga. In all of these marches and countermarches the First 
Regiment took an active part; after the battle of Chickamauga falling back upon Chattanooga, 
where it crossed the river under the fire of a rebel battery. 

In Sherman's campaign against Atlanta, the First remained attached to McCook's Brigade 
of cavalry, participating in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Buzzard's Roost, Kenesaw and else- 
where. 

On the 17th day of October, 1864, the regiment moved to Louisville under orders, where 
it was re-uniformed, re-mounted and returned to Nashville, going thence to Alabama, engaging 
in a bout with Forrest and passing through Montgomery, \Vest Point and Macon, where the 
surrender of Lee and the army of Northern A'irginia, previously announced, was confirmed ; 
proceeding thence in pursuit of Jeff" Davis, under the command of Lieut. Col. Hamden. At 
Abbeville the detachment fell in with a squadron of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry. Col. Pritch- 
ard, after the same game, but separated, and thereafter succeeded in cff"ecting the arrest of the 
late Executive of the rebel States, notwithstanding the decision of a committee that his appre- 
hension was due to the vigilance and untiring eff"orts of the Michigan troopers. 

The regiment remained in and about Macon until May 24, 1865, when it proceeded to 
Nashville, where it arrived June 14, and on July 19, following, was mustered out and discharged 
from the service. 

The Fourth Cavalry received accessions to its ranks from Jeff"erson County in the comple- 
ment of Companies A and I, the former being recruited from Fort Atkinson and the surround- 
ing country, while Company I included representations from Watertown, Jefferson, Cambridge, 
Lake Mills, etc., being commanded by W. P. Moore, with S. B. Tubbs and H. B. Lighthizer, 
Lieutenants. The regiment was organized in June, 1861, and quartered at Camp Utley, 
where it was mustered into service on July 2 thereafter. Its first experience with grim-visaged 
war was in the suppression of the bank riot at Milwaukee. At the conclusion of this informal 
sortie made by frenzied depositors, the regiment was ordered East, and departed at once for 
the scenes of active duty, arriving at Harrisburg, Penn., about the middle of July, where it 
was attached to the Eastern Department, with headquarters at the Relay House, near Baltimore, 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 383 

Md. Here and in the vicinity it remained until about January 29, 1863, experiencing the 
fatigues of war, wiien it became a part of Duryea's brigade, and on the 5th of the following 
March embarked at Forti-ess Monroe for New Orleans, in which city it became identified with 
the Second Brigade, Army of the Gulf. From its arrival in the Crescent City to its departure 
therefrom, on the 25th of June, the Fourth Cavalry became familiar with every phase of life to 
be experienced in a captured city. On May 2, it occupied the post of honor as guard opposite 
the St. Charles Hotel, corner of St. Charles and Gravier streets, during the conference between 
the Commanding General and John T. Monroe, Mayor of the city, who with the Hon. Pierre 
Soule, and other prominent residents of New Orleans, were granted an audience by Gen. Butler. 
At its close, the regiment returned to the Custom House, and thereafter did provost duty, guard 
and other service, until the 8th of May, when it was sent to tear up the track of the Jackson 
& Great Northern road, afterward serving in Baton Rouge, Natchez, Fort Adams, Warrenton, 
and elsewhere, until late in June, when it was ordered to Vicksburg, and from the trenches 
witnessed the bombardment of that beleaguered city by Davis and Farragut ; also the subsequent 
operations for its reduction, until the spring of 1863, when the regiment was ordered back to 
New Orleans, soon after going to the Teche country, where it became engaged in the battle 
of Camp Besland. 

Its next important move was in connection with the Red River expedition. After the 
retirement of Banks, the Fourth was ordered to Baton Rouge, the vicinity of which city wa» 
made the regimental camp-groundsforaseason of respite, recuperation and re-equipmentas a cavalry 
regiment, having previously served as mounted infantry. ^ With its reconstruction the regiment 
resumed active duty, being attached to the cavalry command of Gen. Lee, and serving in the 
extreme Southwest until May, 1865. 

At that date, orders came for its transfer to Texas, to which department it proceeded without 
delay, by way of Vicksburg and Shreveport, going thence through Texas, and finally halting 
at San Antonio. Here the regiment was consolidated into eight companies, and after a cam- 
paign, lasting until May, 1866, remarkable for an absence of the excitement with which they 
had hitherto been familiar, the regiment was mustered out and arrived home June 17, 1866^ 
after five years continued and active service. 

Companies D and F, of the Twenty-ninth Infantry, were raised in Jefferson County, also. 
The former company hailed from Fort Atkinson, Koshkonong and the immediate neighborhood, 
with D. W. Curtis, at present residing in Fort Atkinson, as one of the Lieutenants, while Com- 
pany F was recruited in .Jefferson, Aztalan and that section, and officered by Charles A. 
Holmes and Emil Stoppenbach, both of the city of Jeflerson, Captain and First Lieutenant, with 
John B. Scott, of Aztalan, Second Lieutenant. Captain Holmes was wounded at Champion 
Hills May 16, 1863, and mustered out June 22, 1865. Stoppenbach resigned July 31, 1863, 
and Scott May 1. 1865. The regiment went into camp at Madison, where it was mustered in 
September 27, 1862, and in November following moved to Helena, Ark., going thence to Friar's 
Point in December, but returning to Helena, where it was assigned to the Thirteenth Army 
Corps, and went to Milliken's Bend. On the 16th of April, the regiment crossed the river 
below Grand Gulf, and proceeded to Port Gibson. The regiment next fought the battle of 
Champion Hills, and on the 21st of June, 1863, marched to the rear of Vicksburg, participating; 
in the assault made on the following day. During the remainder of the siege, it was employed 
against the advanced works, and, after the surrender, fought the second battle of Jackson. The 
next move was down the river, camping at Carrollton, above New Orleans, but changing its 
base on September 14, and serving in Southern Louisiana until January, 1864, when it engaged 
in the Texas expedition, proceeding as far as the Rio Grande, and returning to Algiers in time 
to take part in the sortie up Red River. After the retirement of that expedition, the Twenty- 
ninth returned once more to Algiers, whence it went to Port Hudson, Clinton, mouth of White 
River, Duvall's Bluff, Little Rock and Memphis, reaching the latter city November 28, 1864. 

On New Year's Day following, the regiment embarked for New Orleans, in which city it 
remained until February 5, when it proceeded to Dauphin Island, where it was assigned to tlie 



384 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUXTY. 

First Brigade, First Division, Thirteenth Army Corps, and was the second regiment to enter 
Mobile after the capture of that city. 

On May 26, 1865, it embarked for Shreveport via New Orleans, where it performed pro- 
vost duty for two weeks, when it was mustered out of service, and returned to Madison, arriving 
there July 5, 1865, with 465 men. 

W. W. Reed, M. D., of Jefferson, declined the commission of Associate Surgeon ; John W. 
Blake, also of Jefferson, became Adjutant, was promoted Captain September 25, 1863, finally 
becoming Major of the Forty-second Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. L. W. Ostrander, of the 
same city, was promoted Second Lieutenant, May 3, 1864. 

Company G, of the Fortieth Volunteer Infantry, was also, in part, recruited in Jefferson 
County, as were Companies I, Forty-eighth, and II, Forty-ninth Volunteer Infantry. 

Company G was of the hundred-days' service, one of the Lieutenants of which^John K. 
Purdy — was identified with the educational interests of Fort Atkinson. The company served in 
Tennessee, repulsed Forrest on his raid into Memphis, and returned to Madison at the expira- 
tion of its term of service, where it was mustered out September 16, 1864, losing but thirteen 
V men during its term of service. 

Company I rendezvoused at Milwaukee in February, 1865, whence it was sent to St. 
Louis, where it was mustered into service and proceeded to Fort Scott. During the months of 
May, June and July, it was engaged in strengthening this station, after which it marched to 
Lawrence and other points in Kansas, remaining there until February 19, 1866, when the com- 
pany was mustered out and disbanded. 

Company H, commanded by Capt. H. 0. Pierce, was mustered into service, and left the 
State for Benton Barracks March 8, 1805, reaching the latter point March 10. In July, it 
was sent to St. Louis to perform guard duty. In August, the major portion of the regiment 
acted in that capacity about Gratiot Street Prison. After the fall of Richmond, the regiment 
was retained for several months in that line of duty, but finally returned to Madison, where, on 
the 8th day of November, 1865, it was mustered out of service. 

In addition to the foregoing, that portion of the county about Koskonong and Fort Atkin- 
son, etc., contributed to the complement of Company H, Thirteenth Regiment, to the gun-boat, 
naval and secret service. Jefferson and that portion of the county thereabouts furnished 
recruits to the heavy artillery, to the Third Wisconsin Light Artillery and to other branches of 
the service, but, owing to the reasons cited, the facts more particularly in reference thereto 
could not be obtained. 

The history of Jefferson County in the war is a tale of heroic deeds, of which the surviv- 
ors have reason to be proud. 

watertown's contributions. 

Watertotvn Rifle Company. — Organized April, 1861. Commissioned officers — Captain, 
Darius S. Gibbs ; First Lieutenant, John Forsyth ; Second Lieutenant, James T. Myers ; Third 
Lieutenant, Joseph Crandall. 

Non-commissioned officers — Sergeants, George R. Huff, Robert J. Forsyth, John Hains 
and Joshua B. Harris ; Corporals, Luther May, William II. Hains, George W. Rockwood and 
Porter Gibbs. 

Privates— B. G. Miller, G. W. Brainard, R. Hart, E. F. Proctor, T. Brynildsen, P. J. 
Thompson, G. W. Rockwood, W. M. Forsyth, J. C. Dervin, L. C. Green, Alpheus Lucas, A. 
Hanoch, A. Siebell. AV. H. Burns, N. Tuttle, D. A. Tuttle, S. Karboch, H. Tracy, S. Cases, 
N. W. Dayton, J. B. Harris, II. Wooden, J. II. Tubbs, G. Forsyth, James Johnson, F. Ryal, 
Samuel Baldwin, Arthur Morgan, Andrew Holmes, Jesse Monroe, Amos Bruce, John Corwin, 
Alexander Anderson, Moses Frost, G. C. Marvin, J. T. Hilliker, M. H. Ashley, M. J. Kane, 
A. Byrne, J. E. Anderson, H. Bennett, S. Reed, L. Bennett, N. Liskun, R. J. Taylor, R. 
Griffith, Lyman Cook, W. T. March, R. S. Howard, J. B. Brainard, S. Wixon, F. L. Tuttle, 
P. Janish,'P. P. Gibbs, H. Sperry, C. Newhouse, 0. A. Boughton, Levi Frost, James Lisdale, 



HISTORY OF JEFFEKSOX COUNTY. 385 

John Morrill, Patrick McDonald, Mitchell McDonald, Calvin Jones, Jesse Weed, Linus Cor- 
win, Alpheus Richards, Johnson Roods and Alonzo Bruce. 

The company held daily drills at their headquarters in Gen. Chappell's Block. Each of 
the volunteers wore a red, white and blue rosette, presented by the ladies of Watertown. May 
12, they were furnished by the- State with their first uniforms, and allotted to the Third 
Regiment, as Company A. Their headquarters were also transferred to Mud Tavern, about 
one and one-half miles west of the city, soon afterward known as Camp Bertram, where 
the company remained until June 7, when they received orders to report at the headquarters of 
their regiment, then stationed at Fond du Lac, under command of Charles S. Hamilton. Two 
months of camp life, however, had caused numerous changes in the original rank and file of the 
Watertown Rifle Company. The realities of war — the prospect of leaving wives and sweet- 
hearts, fiithers and mothers, brothers, sisters, homes, all — served to test the " fighting patriot- 
ism " of a large number of those who, in the excitement of the hour, penned their names to 
the company's roll. But there was no lack of new recruits, and Watertown's first volunteer 
company took its place at the head of the Third Wisconsin, composed of the following indi- 
viduals : 

Commissioned officers — Captain, Darius S. Gibbs ; First Lieutenant, Henry Bertram ;, 
Second Lieutenant, John Forsyth. 

Non-commissioned ofiicers — Sergeants, J. Drew Goodrich, George R. Hubb, Robert J. 
Forsyth, William H. Burns and James T. Myers ; Corporals, Lyman Cook, Daniel A. Tuttle, 
Ed F. Proctor, Orin S. Howard, Sala P. Webb, Fred Gleaser, Zadock S. Putney and Thomas 
McKenna; Musicians, Stephen F. Burroughs and John Wisert. 

Privates — Andrew Byrne, John P. Brainard, Jared Hains, Abner Wood, Warren W. 
Nigus, Lewis C. Green, Alpheus Lucas, E. C. Marvin, Isaac Flannagan, Charles Rollhagen, 
William Forsvth, Johnson Anderson, John Zanes, William Marsh, Nathan Nettleton, Abner J. 
Gould, Addis' Bragg, Emil Stabelfeldt, John C. Dervin, William B. Whipple, Robert Hart, 
David Buchterkirchen, Hobart Hart, William Conly, William Hutchinson, Nathan Tuttle, Henry 
Wood, Patrick Goman, Arnold Mann, Anson Wales, Ezra Reed, Andrew Byrne, Elmore Van- 
derwort, Hermann Becker, Sidney J. Thompson, Henry Montaney, Robert Schroeder, Sidney 
N. Lund, Alexander Allison, James Terry, August Klopping, Alexander Darward, William 
Kethsen, Daniel Strohn, Lyman C. Farmer, Franklin L. Tuttle, Peter Hauf, Charles Perkins, 
Hermann Opitz, Marshal Kane, R. T. Ricker, John T. Hilli cker, George Forsyth, George W. 
Brainard, Killian Rupp, August Zeibell, Tollef Brynildsen, (Jeorge S. Lockwood, Robert Van 
Slyke, Elisha Tuttle, Charles Farmer, Charles F. Curtis, John Hickey, Henry Sperry and 
Julius Wallardt. 

July 12, the Third Regiment passed through Watertown en route for Elmyra, N. Y., where 
they were to receive their arms and equipments, and then proceed to Washington for active serv- 
ice. Before leaving their camp at Fond du Lac, they were paid by the State $37,000, for past 
services. The regiment numbered 1,011, officers and men. The regimental and staff officers 
were as follows : 

Colonel commanding. C. S. Hamilton; Lieutenant Colonel, L. H. Ruger; Major, B. 
Pinckney; Adjutant, L. H. D. Crane; Quartermaster, S. C. Lefferts ; Sergeant Major, James 
Woodford ; Surgeon, D. A. Raymond ; First Assistant Surgeon, R. 0. Crane ; Second Assist- 
ant Surgeon, J. B. G. Baxter ; Chaplain, Rev. W. L. Mather. A brass-band of twenty-four 
pieces and a full drum corps accompanied the regiment. 

Commenting upon the appearance of the regiment as it passed through Chicago, the Trib- 
une of that city said that "the men were a noble and stalwart set of fellows, inured to labor 
in the mines and pineries." 

On their arrival in Chicago, the Michigan Southern Railroad Company had ready for the 
troops 14.5 gallons of coffee, 700 loaves of bread and 15 haras, made up into sandwiches, which 
were distributed to them in the cars. 



386 HISTORY OF .TEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

The next news of importance concerning the Watertown Rifles was contained in a letter 
from Jolin C. Dervin to his brother Thomas, residing in Watertown. It was dated " Camp 
Hamilton, Hagerstown, Maryland, July 16, 1861," and was as follows: 

* * * " We arrived at our home this morning, and expect to be here for some time. We 
are within a mile of the enemy's camp. Last night, the First Wisconsin Regiment had a battle. 
They killed thirty Tebs ' and took 600 prisoners, and lost only one man in the contest. AVe are 
here in danger that no one would think of. We expect to be in the field of battle in a short time. 
The men are all remly, but as the hour of trial draws near, a deep sadness seems to shadow most 
faces, but we will do our duty in any event." 

Several early promotions occurred in Company A, among them being that of Lieutenant 
Bertram, who was appointed Adjutant, to succeed Adjutant Crane, appointed to the post of 
Major. In September, Captain Gibbs resigned, and Adjutant Bertram was appointed in his 
stead. 

Among other duties, the Third Wisconsin was assigned to look after the Maryland Legisla- 
ture at Frederick City. In September, the secession members of that body were taken prisoners, 
and a bonfire was made of their treasonable documents. 

It also took a prominent and gallant part in the battle of Bolivar Heights in October, 1861. 
In that engagement. Privates F. L. Tuttle, Jared Harris and Henry Clemens, of Company A, 
were killed. The regiment went into winter quarters in December at Fredericksburg, Md. 

Tile following from the Watertown Democrat of June 19, 1862, will give some idea of what 
" the boys " were doing : 

"Captain Bertram's company, Third Wisconsin Regiment, was with Gen. Banks during his 
recent retreat. The company was on duty as provost guard, and was under fire during the 
retreat. Sergeant William Whipple was made a prisoner at Winchester, while Corporal Lyman 
Cook and Privates Louis Burving, George Lockwood, Sidney Lund, W. W. Atterson, William 
Rupp and Elisha Tuttle are missing." 

Captain Bertram was soon afterward appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Twentieth Wis- 
consin. This promotion was a recognition of his bravery and efficiency as an officer in a fight 
at Bolivar Heights, near Harper's Ferry, where he commanded two detached companies and cap- 
tured a cannon from the enemy. L'pon receiving his commission. Col. Bertram returned to 
Watertown on a brief furlough, and was warmly received by his friends. 

The Third Wisconsin bore an important part in the battle of Culpepper, in August, 18<)2. 
It went into the fight with 500 men, and when the conflict subsided the ranks had been thinned 
to 225. Lieut. Col. Crane was killed and Maj. Scott and Capt. Hawley wounded. It 
had the extreme advance of the Twelfth Corps in crossing the Rapidan, and fought bravely on 
the 1st, 2d and 3d of May with the rest of Gen. Ruger's troops, stubbornly maintaining its 
grouiiil when others fell back, and finall\' covering the withdrawal across the Rappahannock. 

This regiment distinguished itself in many of the desperate battles fought by the Army of 
the Potomac, and, in January, 1864, those of its members who had survived re-enlisted for three 
years under a call for volunteers. These brave defenders of the Union were given a thirty- 
days' furlough that they might return to their homes for a brief period before again taking the 
field. 

Upon returning to Virginia, the Wisconsin boys were always to be found in the thickest of 
the shot and shell. They participated in all the memorable battles which decided the fate of the 
rebellion, including the fall of Richmond. 

Watertown German Volunteers. — On Monday, August 11. 1862, the Germans of Water- 
town commenced the work of organizing a company for the Twentieth Wisconsin Regiment, 
and on Friday, the 15th, the work was completed. The company numbered 106 volunteers, 
and was composed mostly of young men residing in AVatertown. At noon of the IGth, they 
were escorted to the depot by a large body of citizens, where they took the train for Madison. 
Few were the tearless eyes and untouched hearts in all that vast assembly, as the husband 
parted with the wife, the father and mother with the son, and the brother with the sister, or the 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUXTY. 387 

lover with the sweetheart. Following is a list of the officers and members of the com- 
pany : 

Commissioned Officers — Captain, John AVeber ; First Lieutenant, Frederick Kiisel ; Sec- 
ond Lieutenant, Charles A. Menges. 

Non-commissioned Officers — Sergeants, August F. Bohr, August Kusel, Frederick W. 
Voedisch and Henry R. Sommers ; Corporals, George T. Bergold, Cool Roth, John Muth, John 
G. Kirsch, Julius Werlich and Edward Schunemann. 

Privates — John Valdemann, Frederick Paul, G. Henze, John Thoma, Godfred Mustard, 
Henry Kruger, Louis Fischer, William Camin, A. Schulermann, Hermann Wettmer, Henry 
Lohr, Julius Weicht, Frank Schneider, Otto Frigloff, August Fritz, Henry Hose, John Leh- 
mann, Carl Borchart, AVilhelm Trachte, Carl Reichart, Carl Grutzner, Hermann Rose, Karl 
Fischer, August Melcher, Conrad Godeke, John Krisensky, August Wenzel, William Frank, 
Carl Hamann, Robert Weber, Carl Brix, August Butow, Albert Butow, Franz Zwiner, 
Andreas Ambrose, Bernhard Kreete, Julius Steindorf, William Hahn, Henry Muselmann, 
Fred W. Bernhard, Louis Zandner, William Eichel, August F. W. Buth, A. Walther, Gabriel 
Remestad, William Mohr, Karl Pettig, Gustavus Triegloif, Frederick Weber, Martin Grun, 
John Henry Frank, Charles Hoeffner, Valentine Rehn, Vinzenze Wurm, John H. Koch, Charles 
Kunitzer, August Kluge, Henry L. Volkemann, Henry Muller, John M. Ramsay, John H. 
Roth, John A. F. Schroder, Julius Drager, Joseph Menzel, Frederick Schneider, Albert Zie- 
bell, John Hanswith, Ernst Schnasse, Julius Ziebell, Carl Dams, William Wodke, William 
Wegner, Ferdinand Tolk, George Boughton, John Wehl. John Kercher, Ernst Drager, Ludwig 
Bluhm, Michael F. Wette, John Swanky, William Ziebell, Frederick Duwe, Gottfred Graszel, 
Ernst Krumsich, Carl Wegner, Emil Kaufmann, Peter Nettesheim, August Schmutzler, August 
Horniuel, Henry Bollow, Ferdinand Volke and G. Werschutz. 

This company went to the front immediately as Company E of the Twentieth Regiment, 
Lieut. Col. Henry Bertram. December 7, 1862, it acted a distinguished part in the desperate 
battle of Prairie Grove, near Fayetteville, Ark. Following are the names of those who fell in 
that engagement : 

Killed — C. Werlich, John R. Ramsay, Adolph Mustar, August Butow, John Wurm and 
Julius Weight. 

Wounded — Col. Henry Bertram, Capt. John Weber, William Carmin, Ernst Schnasse, 
Peter Jarish, Carl Rettig, Henry Muller, William Taucke, L. Zandner, William Baudle, August 
Kluge, Henry L. Volkman, William Hahn, William Wodke, August Schuelermann, Frank 
Schroeder and Henry R. Sommers. 

Missing — Robert Weber, Frederick Voelker and Ferdinand Voelker. 

Col. Bertram had a horse shot from beneath him, and received a slight contusion of the 
thigh. Capt. Weber received three bullets in his legs, from which he died within a week. 
The rebels were pursued to Van Buren, Ark., where 800 prisoners, two steamers and a ferry- 
boat loaded with provisions were captured. 

Lieut. Frederick Kusel was appointed Captain to fill the vacancy caused by the death of 
the gallant Weber. Second Lieut. Charles A. Menges succeeded Kusel, and Sergt. Alfred H. 
Baehr was promoted to the Second Lieutenancy. Menges was subsequently appointed 
Adjutant. 

The Twentieth took part in the siege of Vicksburg, and in the expedition up the Yazoo 
River to Yazoo City, Miss., where about 500 prisoners were captured. Also engaged at Spanish 
Fort, Mobile and Browr.sville, Texas. 

Watertown Irish Company. — Organized August, 1862. This company was but partially filled 
by citizens of Watertown, owing to a large number of Irish having previously enlisted in other 
companies. It was recruited by E. Johnson and Valentine Sweeney. Its members reported at 
headquarters in Madison September 20, 1862. Their names are as follows : Michael J. Gal- 
lagher, Michael Carey, Michael Murphy, Michael Butler, Thomas McAviley, Michael McGill, 
John Reynolds, Daniel Ford, John Forsyth, Joseph Kenzie. Thomas D. Reed, William Dolan, 



38« HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

William Wilson, Thomas Cross, Daniel Sullivan, Charles Masterson, John Devereux. Matthew 
Carroll, Tliomis Delaney, William Mansfield, Patrick McQueen, Erasmus W. Hill. James 
Coyle and Jeremiah Bechan. 

There were sufficient accessions to the ranks of this company from other sources within a short 
time after it took up its quarters at Camp Reynolds to complete the required number, and it 
was mustered in as Company D of the Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteers, afterward known as 
tlie " Irish Brigade." It rendered invaluable service in many of the greatest battles of the 
rebellion, the Watertown boys acijuitting themselves with honor, and returning to their homes at 
the close of the war covered with scars and glory. 

Watertotvn American Volunteer Company. — Organized September 2, 1862. Composed 
of some of the best citizens of Watertown. 

Commissioned officers — Captain, Thomas R. Mott ; First Lieutenant, Charles Wood ; Sec- 
ond Lieutenant, Royal P. Bronson. 

Non-commissioned officers — Sergeants, Calvin B. Scott, James McCulley, John H. Reed, 
Julius N. Bartlett and Norman Humphrey ; Corporals, Darius S. Gibbs, Julius H. Keyes. 
Leonard W. Bennett, Allen Welcher, Alonzo Crandall, WjUiam Phelps, Frederick B. Northup 
and Charles Turner. 

Privates — ^David Griffith, Orrin E. Welton, Cyprian B. Young, Allen Rutherford, William 
Booth, Warren A. Reed, James P. Nichols, Ansel Norton, George Parker, George Chapin, John 
P. Smith, William E. Adams, John Bailey, William Terwilliger, William J. Fitch, Joseph H. 
Barber, Job Bailey, William Wiseman, Joseph Karr, Ed. K. Webb, Amos Weaver. Peter Knigiit, 
John Moore, Andrew Woolensack, Delos T. Haling, Peter La Rock, JNIatthew Marshall, John 
R. Hayhurst, Walter J. Beasant, Williston H. Wright, Samuel Vaux, Almon Chapin, William 
Middlestates, C. A. Middlestates, William Marsh, Hiram S. Thompson, George W. Rockwood, 
James ^IcLaughlin, Brayton Whitney. Wordsey Holcomb, John Roberts. Henry Bennett. Ran- 
som Meade, August E. Needhara, Henry Yarrington, John L. Urtubecs, Israel Dudley, Henry 
Hungerford, Oscar F. Herron, Peter Frank, S. J. Blanchard, A. R. Hungerford, Rothelan 
Blanchard, William Hungerford, Ashbel D. Grift'ey, Richard Owens, Robert H. Roberts, Artiiur 
Alexander, Bradley Richards, Chauncey Cummings, Marcellus Bartlett, William G. Dailev, 
William J. King, Michael Gegenheimer, Albert S. Visgar, Lewis Brown, James Burke, John 
E. Weisert, Edward B. Hawes, Cyrus M. Griffey, Peter Schenk, Jolin Lloyd, James S. Balser, 
Sidney Smith, Calvin B. Scott, Warren G. Reeve, William Phelps, Merrina C. Scott, Albert 
Chapin, Frederick M. Webb, Rinaldo W. Cole, William Milium, Henry Weaver, James S. 
Irvin, Calvin Barnett, Thomas Martin, Corydon Blaisdell and Howard Tuttle. 

This company became Company B, in the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin. The regiment 
received marching orders and left Camp Randall, at Madison, November 2, 1862, proceeding 
South. While at Cairo, 111., they voted for State officers in Wisconsin. The regiment arrived 
at Helena, Ark., November 6, and went into camp. It remained there until April, 1863, when 
orders were received to the effect that its presence before Vicksburg was necessary! May 1. the 
regiment was engaged in the battle of Port Gibson, in which the rebels were routed and the 
place captured. In this fight. Matthew ]\Iarshall, Robert H. Roberts and Edward B. Hawkes, 
of Company B, were killed, and George Parker, Lewis Urtubees, John Lloyd and Allen Welcher, 
wounded. 

On the 16th of the same month, the Watertown boys of Company B were again engaged. 
Following is an extract from Col. Gill's official report of the part the Twenty-ninth took in this 
battle. It is dated Champion Hills, Miss., May 18, 1863: 

* * * * " During the engagement, my regiment captured and sent to the 

rear one stand of colors and about three hundred prisoners. We numbered, when the action 
commenced, 491 men and officers. Our loss is 19 killed, 95 wounded, and 1 missing. Among 
the wounded are Maj. Hancock, Capts. Bissell, Holmes, Mott and Delamatyr, Lieut. Ray and 
Commissary Sergt. Wilson. My officers and men displayed great gallantry and bravery. Capt. 
Bissell, of Company D, while lying upon the ground wounded and still exposed to the enemy's 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 389 

fire, refused assistance from the field, but kept cheering on his men. * * * We 

are willing to fight until the last armed foe expires." 

After the capture of Vicksburg, the Twenty-ninth was ordered to New Orleans. It was 
subsequently engaged in the Ked River expedition, and was at the battle of Mansfield, La. In 
that engagement. Company B suffered the following losses : Killed, Almon Chapin ; wounded — 
Thomas Martin, Sidney Smith, James Haskins and Anson Weaver ; missing — Corydon Blais- 
dell, A. C. Grandall, Hiram Thompson, James Irvin, George Holcomb, C. B. Young, James 
Burke, Calvin Barrett, William Wilson, William Milium and Oscar Herron. 

The Twenty-ninth was soon afterward engaged in the battle of Sabine Cross Roads. J. 
H. Haskins, Oscar Herron and Hiram S. Thompson, of Company B were wounded and fell into 
the hands of the enemy, but were subsequently paroled and sent to New Orleans, where Thomp- 
son died. 

December 15, 1864, Corydon Blaisdell, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Mansfield, 
was released, and, upon his arrival in New Orleans, he wrote as follows to his relatives in 
Watertown : 

* * * * '> The rebels kept me eight months and five days. The whole time 

our rations were one pint of corn-meal, three-fourths of a pint of corn-meal and a little salt — 
no coffee or anything else. The living is nothing compared with the abuse we have received 
during the term of our prison life. Of the six captured out of Company B, only William Mil- 
ium and myself lived to get back to New Orleans. Cyprian B. Young, Alonzo C. Crandall, 
James S. Irvin and George Holcomb died in prison." 

At the storming of Spanish Fort, near Mobile, private Porter Gibbs and Musician Allen 
Rutherford, of Company B, were taken prisoners, and private Godfrey Dayley, of the same 
company, had one of his great toes accidentally cut off while making breastworks. 

On July 5, 1865, the Twenty-ninth returned from the South. Company B was received 
in Watertown with all the honors that it was possible for a liberty-loving people to shower upon 
the defenders of their country. A reception festival was held July 13, at which the sun-browned 
heroes were the admired of all admirers. D. W. Ballou, editor of the Democrat delivered a 
stirring welcome address. 

The Union Guards. — Organized in the fall of 1861, with the following officers : Captain, 
0. D. Pease ; First Lieutenant, Edward E. Roys ; Second Lieutenant, William A. Greene. 
Sergeants — John Ilazen, R. C. Rowe, Theron Holt, William Faville and John Bean. Corpor- 
als — Michael Walrod, Hiram Dayton, James M. Fillmore, W. M. Taylor, Charles H. Visgar, 
Charles A. Keyes, Joseph B. Harris and Mich. Traynor. Musicians — Star Loveland and 
John J. Downey. 

Privates — Michael Anthony, Jacob Beck, Neal Bresland, M. W. Burdick, R. H. Baker, 
E. E. Cummings, F. Casebeer, G. B. Crist, James Cook, A. E. Cook, E. L. Chapman, John 
Clark, D. Clark, J. R. Devine, Benjamin Dehn, 0. L. Dudley, D. Delanty, J. Edwards, I. M. 
Ellsworth, D. G. Eastwood, M. Fillmore, W. Fisher, J. C. Fisher, Simon Fuller, Harrison 
Fuller, Napoleon Fuller, Lyman Fuller, M. Farrington, L. Flaschbine, J. W. Fields, R. Geary, 
W. Gilbert, H. Gerecke, J. W. George, L. C. Greene, E. Halverson, C. W. Haskins, Henry C. 
Hadley, W. Hamilton, D. Hallahan, C. Holman, A. Harrington, W. G. Holdrege, G. Kilbourn, 
E. Keough, D. 0. Kellv, A. Kinney, J. M. Lyons, H. G. Lomison, S. Lloyd, M. Maloney, W. 
McConnell, George Mills, T. Nichols, A. H. Noble, H. Phillips, L. Pettis, E. Pierce, A. Pries, E. 
Palmer, H. Rigger, J. Reynolds. M. Ryon, R. Ross, J. D. Reed, J. Schaller, D. B. Sowards, J. 
Saintonge, J. Steinman, E. A. Solomon, M. Saunders, C. B. Stone, H. Tracy, C. H. Tracy, R. 
S. Towsley, N. R. Towsley, B. R. Torrey, Charles Tebault, 0. Turner, W. H. Vorce, 6. V. 
Whitmore, J. W'arren, E. Wolf, T. M. Wilson, A. Wollene, A. G. Wood, H. B. Whitney and 
T. J. Winston. 

Capt. Pease's company formed a part of the Sixteenth Wisconsin. After remaining in 
camp at Madison for several weeks, it received orders to move down the Mississippi, and on the 
1st of April, 1862, found itself encamped at Savannah, Tenn, within the borders of secession. 



390 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUXTY. 

The next heard of the company was its engagement in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, 
where tiie gallant Capt. Pease was mortally wounded while leading his men to the very mouth of 
the enemy's cannon. The members of his company who fell in that memorable battle are as fol- 
lows : Killed — Capt. Oliver D. Pease; Corp. William M. Taylor; privates Alphonse Harring- 
ton, August Wollene, Louis Pettis, Chester W. Haskins. Wounded — Sergt. John S. Bean, Corps. 
Charles H. Visgar and Michael Walrod ; privates J. Edwards, J. M. Lyons, Harrison Fuller, N. 
R. Towsley, W. Hamilton, M. Farrington, 0. Brien. E. Cook, Dennis Delanty, Josiah W. 

Fields, Herman Gerecke, C. H. Tracy, Mertz, E. Halverson, Thompson, J. Cook, 

Daniel Hallahan, E. Price and J. D. Reed. Missing, Louis Flaschbine. 

The company was in many of the hard-fought battles, including that of Corinth, and aided 
matei-ially in putting down the rebellion. 

The Draft. — When the order for the first draft was made, in September, 1862, the quota 
for Jefl'erson County was sixty-three. Watertown, having already furnished twenty-five more 
men than the call demanded, was exempt. There was, of course, n i excitement. While many 
other portions of the State were sadly depopulated, the people of Watertown could not but feel 
proud of their record. The town of Watertown drew two — August Hunemann and Henry 
Mergel being the victims. 

The draft of November 12, 1863, however, was the source of considerable uneasiness. The 
drawing took place at Janesville, and a large number of the citizens of Jefterson County were 
present. The following individuals, citizens of Watertown, "drew prizes : " 

City of Watertown (278 names in the wheel, of which 40 were drawn) — 0. B. Sanford, 
Fred Bloedel, Henry B. Burdick, G. Schamberg, Adolphus Miller, George Alcott, Charles 
Reubhousen, Leopold Karherr, Gustavus Schnasse, Ed. M. Hall, Henry Holstein, Fred Schipp, 
Thomas Rosch, William T. Mayhew, John C. Rhodes, James Balles, Henry Kees, John Kal- 
tenbrun, August Tauck, Herman Freischmidt, Dusten Bosford, Henry Bode, F. P. Brook, 
Porter Gibbs, Jr., John McGrill, Stillman Ford, John Dunnigan, H. Hyer, Elnathan Breck- 
enridge, Lawrence Nugent. William Beman, Andrew McKeg, John Folcanbridge, Hugh Mur- 
phy, Patrick Killan, Bathrick, Thomas Baxter, Washington Snow, Wave Moody and John 

Driescent. 

Town of Watertown (167 in the wheel, 28 to be drawn) — Franz Fredericks, Frederick 
Volkner, John O'Donalds, Peter Kelley, August Cholhoff, John F. Schultz. John Warner, 
Frederick Strehlow, Jr., .A.dolf Boerschel, John Corpenus, Chris Mercus, William P. Perry, 
Reinhard Panz, Henry Kumfrick, John Barrett, Richard Sninuiks, Gotleib Gullet, Charles 
Raymorn, Frederick Moerke, Henry Wegner, William Cinnamon, Ernest Huns, Christian 
Trachte, Henry Lenas and William Leteaman. 

Fifth and Sixth Wards of Watertown (Dodge County)— S. Reed, W. Herbert, H. Hilder- 
mann, D. David, H. Bogel, W. Gamm, A. May, C. Folsom, F. Otto, F. Achtenbogen, C. Dip- 
pel, F. Zipfel, H. Zidert, D. Piper, R. Weig. J. Farncof, J. Bninner, Ph. Burns, H. Kroning, 
C. Plunger, W. Zohn, W. Berfenhagen, P. Binte, G. Currad, J. Janssen, F. Zifora, E. Williams 
and E. Jones. 

In the draft of September 22, 1864, the following citizens of the Third and Seventh Wards 
of Watertown (the First, Second, Fourth. Fifth and Sixth Wards having filled their respective 
quotas by enlistment) were drawn : 

Third Ward — Henry B. Gallup, James M. Morris, Amos Baum. John Cummings, Michael 
Sweeney, Owen Connors, Frederick Butler, Jacob Zimmerman, Andrew McKey, George Low, 
Edward Carley, Fritz Kanell, Hugh McMahon, Patrick O'Reily. Michael Kernel, John Loovey, 
Edward Johnson, Thomas Dervin. John O'Reily, Michael McHugh, John Humbler, Michael 
Sullivan. Ferdinand Groft', John O'Neil and Edward Nixon, 

Seventh Ward — Edward McKey, Frederick Bichle, August Karn, Osborn Bradbury, War- 
ren Bradbury, H. Breckenridge, Fabius Colly, Philip Quentmeyer, Henry Prill. Michael Tracey, 
Charles Moch, Luther May. Frank Hartcke, Michael Merrin. John Colmetz, Thomas Shellcox, 
John Dunnisran, William McGraw, Mack Hadnell, John Browley, Thomas Dufi'y, Albert Hart, 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 391 

Thomas McCabe, Henry H. Coy, Henry Kronitz, Thomas Kelley, William Bushman, T. Fork- 
enbridge, John Driescent, William Riley, John Drayraond and Thomas Merrin. 

Town of Watertown — Henry Jasel, Alom Hoof. Mathias Dwosak, F. C. Curtis, Fred 
Larza, John Boetlicher. August Gillis, Porter Lewellin, Cornelius Crowley, Justus Hawke, 
Thomas Gerety, Jr., Frederick Lehmann, Godfried Cashbury, Frederick Kirsch, Peter 
Sherrer, Ludwig Podewell, Ferdinand Siedow, John O'Connor, Fredei'ick Buckholz, John 
Sloan, Christof Homan. August Hilkee, George Sutton, Chris. Homer, George Spingberg, 
John Hazteman, Charles Rush, Julius Knispee, John McLaughlin, Chi'istian Steans, John 
Bradley, John Hartwell, Daniel Friedee, Philip Pla'.z, Richard Sutton and Charles H. Woolen- 
sack. 

On October 15, 1864, a supplemental draft was made in the Seventb Ward, as follows : 
John McGoldrich, Peter J. Messic, Livingtone Stevens, Thomas Aplit, John McDonald, Christian 
Clarkin, Barney Cohoe, Luke Butler, Sylvester Coy, Amos P. Wood, Frank Coshern, August 
Nook, John Dwire, Philip Wright, Joseph Wood, Isaac Smith, John Sprague, John O'Connell, 
Samuel Rusten and John Frail. 

It was announced that supplemental drafts would be made in every subdistrict until the 
full quota of each was full. "If those first drawn run away or are rejected, this process will 
go on indetinitely." 

Accordingly, a supplemental draft was made of the town of Watertown, as follows : 
Charles Lamkee, John Owen, James Lavy, Francis Wegner, Frederick Ashereen, Hermann 
Schroeder, Frederick Trachte, Alanson H. McMillan, Ludowig Cordes. Ernest Barrand, Henry 
Krammy. Thomas Sloan. Frederick Deitzel, Gottlieb Halkney, Ferdinand L^lealt, John Buck, 
Joshua Newma^i, Timothy Daly. Frederick Rowe, Gotifield Riochley, John Hughes, August 
Neno, Richard Shinnick and Talbert Bailey. 

Early in December, a supplemental draft took place in the Fifth and Sixth Wards, with the 
following result : 

Fifth Ward — John Gutzloff, John Monreau, Carl Clinberg, Ferdinand Lodhammer, Alex 
J. Jarvis, Hezekiah Flinn, Frederick Brusch, Martin M. Barber, Michael McCane, Christian F. 
Busch, Joseph Rohn. Wilhelm Dunitmeyer, Carl Rich, Fred Kehl, Ferdinand Ott, Carl Mek- 
lenberg, John Canradis, Carl Bullow, J. Marstet, Ludwig Lamp, Joseph Egard, Franz Sacham- 
mer, Fred Englebright and Emil Hans Jager. 

Sixth Ward — John Burns, August Lambricht, Frederick Heute, William Graves, Fred 
Seple, William Ramieu, Elijah Williams, William Granits, John Schent, Jacob Coner, Philip 
Burns, Godfried Stillman, William Weidenhuft, Henry Rahn, Ferdinand Bartel, John Schmidt, 
Henry Sally, Christof Gretsloff, Charles Rod, Carl Heute, Charles Morcjuart. Joseph Battiss, G. 
Sictander, Robert Spielman, Joseph Jaeger, Joseph Kopp, Charles Kruger, William Beeber- 
man, Hermann Otto, John Ecleberg, Carl Glamm and F. Hoeper. 

Elections were held in the first four wards of Watertown February 13, for the purpose of 
voting bounties to aid in filling their quotas, at which Commissioners were also chosen to carry 
the object into effect. The result was : 

First Ward (amount to be raised |5,000)— H. Barber, Jr., J. T. Moak and G. Werlich 
were chosen Commissioners. The vote for the tax was 92 ; against, 5. 

Second Ward ($3,000) — Commissioners, F. Fischer, P. Smith and C. Amberg. For the 
tax, 104 ; against, 1. 

Third Ward ($2,200) — Commissioners, M. Quigley, E. Johnson and J. Zimmerman. For 
tax. 58 ; against, 0. 

Fourth Ward ($1,200) — Commissioners, August Kusel, John Spohn and Edward Davis. 
For tax, 48 ; against, 0. 

April 30, 1865, the draft in the Seventh Ward took place, with the following result : 
Thomas Shelcox, William Spencer, Philip Wright, Osburn Bradberry, William McLaughlin, 
Ulrich Haushur, John Crowley and Winthrop Greene. 

The First, Second and Fourth Wards escaped the draft by filling their quotas. 



392 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Another draft took place the last of Marcli in the town o*' Watertown, resulting as follows : Fer- 
dinand Ulm, William Estrach, Frederick Kanile, Henry McLaughlin, August Marquart, Ferdinand 
Calhoff, Frederick Rose, Norbert Hoffman, Famin Emerson, William Loomis. Christ Keeger, August 
Kelm, James Gormerley, Hugh Manughan, Jr., Joseph Plasil. Stephen Penleny, Lemand Ber- 
dick, Jacob Urdermann, Frederick Trachte, William Betkee, Frederick Schullepfonney, Henry 
Merrill, John O'Connell, Richard Barrett, Charles Clanke, Rufus W. Crouch, Calvin Maroon, 
Henry Ryff, Lewis Moseth, Jacob Gillite, Gotlieb Ferk, Joseph S. Clark, Peter Palsher, 
Thomas Smith, Thomas Howler, August Chamm, Ludwig Rothe, Ludwig Cordes. August War- 
nike, Charles A. Pross, Henry Linneske, August Heniieraann, Michael Sullivan, August SchoU- 
schnord, Michael Dreshark, Richard Hussey, Frederick Borkenhaden, Ferdinand Knutes, Edward 
M. Mulick, William Nerey, Jacob Christie and August Helker. 

Happily the services of the foregoing "victims" of this last draft were not needed. The 
capitulation of Vicksburg, the fiill of Richmond, and the subsequent capture of Jeff Davis spared 
them to their homes and the pursuit of wealth and happiness. 

Scraps of War History. — following are a few of the minor events connected with the 
war history of Watertown. They will recall many recollections of the " times that tried men's 
souls," during the great rebellion, and the whole must prove a valuable record in the annals of 
that bloody strife : 

1861, April. — A company of Minnesota militia passed through the city, en route for the 
field of conflict. This seemingly insignificant incident gave a wonderful impetus to the patriotic 
feelings of the citizens. A public meeting held for the purpose of raising funds to provide for the 
families of those who enlisted in the service of their country; Mayor Williams presided. CarlSchurz 
(now Secretary of the Interior), State Senator Gill and Hiram Barber were among the speakers. 
Unbounded enthusiasm. Brig. Gen. Luther A. Cole. Second Brigade Wisconsin Militia, organ- 
ized his staff as follows : Maj. Enos Salsich, Aid ; Mai. Hiram W. Blanchard, Brigade Inspec- 
tor ; Maj. Myron B. Williams, Judge Advocate; Maj. William G. Wedemeyer, Engineer in 
Chief; Maj. Hiram Barber, Paymaster; Maj. Charles Wood, Quarteripaster ; Maj. Ira Leon- 
ard, Commissary ; Maj. W. C. Spalding, Surgeon; Capt. and Rev. J. J. Mclntyre, Chaplain. 
Master Willie Dennis frightened his parents almost to distraction by climbing to the top of his 
father's house and nailing the Stars and Stripes to the gable end. 

May. — Employes of the Milwaukee i.*c Western Railroad Company raised a flag-staff, 100 feet 
in lengtli, near their machine sliops, and unfiirleil from its top a beautiful banner, 30x18 feet in size. 
A committee of ladies — Mrs. J. T. Moak, Mrs. James Tremain and Miss Susan Hartley, drew 
the starry emblem to its lofty position, at the same time singing the " Star Spangled Banner," amid 
deafening cheers. 

June. — Ladies of Watertown make 500 flannel shirts, at the request of Gov. Randall, to 
be distributed among the Wisconsin volunteers. Tiie task was completed in five days, and the 
garments sent to the Governor ready for use. Bibles purchased by citizens and presented to 
Watertown's patriotic sons. 

July. — Meeting and organization of a Home League. Ofiicers elected : Samuel Brown, 
President; A. M. Thompson and C. C. Cotton, Secretaries ; C. Cleaveland, Treasurer. 

August. — Ernest Off authorized to raise a cavalry company, and a recruiting oSice opened. 

September. — W. G. Wedemeyer received a Lieutenant's commission to raise a company of 
infantry. Edwin D. Coe, James A. Morris, De Witte Moak, Herbert Lord, Eugene Bond, R. 
J. Forsyth and Harrison and Clifford McMellen joined Col. Daniel's cavalry regiment at 
Ripon. 

October. — 0. D. Pease received a Lieutenant's commission from Gov. Randall, authorizing 
him to raise a company of volunteers for three years. Thomas McMahon appointed Major of 
the Seventeenth Wisconsin. James McHugh received a Lieutenant's commission to raise a 
company of volunteers. Webster A. Bingham, of Watertown, joined the cavalry regiment then 
forming at Ripon. Capt. D. D. Scott and Lieut. James Bergin opened a recruiting office in 
Fischer's Block. Ernest Off commissioned Captain, with authority to raise a company of 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 393 

volunteers. Sela P. Webb, a Watertown volunteer, of Company E, Sixth Wiscon.sin, died in 
the hospital at Arlington Heights, Va. 

November. — Charles H. Lord appointed Assistant Surgeon First Wisconsin Cavalry. Capt. 
Off finished recruiting his cavalry company, known as the Barstow Guards, and went into camp 
at Janesville. 

December. — Capt. Prescott left for Columbus, Ohio, with thirteen recruits for the regular 
service, among whom was William G. Wedemeyer. 

1862, January. — Sergt. 0. S. Howard, Company A, Third Wisconsin, commissioned Second 
Lieutenant. 

February. — Irwin W. Potter, of Watertown, confirmed by the United States Senate as 
First Lieutenant in the Fifteenth U. S. Regiment for gallant conduct at the battle of Manassas. 
Corp. Henry C. Hadley, Company E, Sixteenth W^isconsin, appointed Assistant Quartermaster 
of the regiment, with the rank of Lieutenant. L. M. Rose, formerly one of the editors of the 
Watertown Chronicle, wounded in both hips and in the left shoulder and hand at Fort 
Donelson. 

March. — Curtis B. Stone, foreman of the Wntertoy^n Republican office, joined the Water- 
town Guards. Capt. D. T>. Scott presented with a sword by the citizens of Watertown. John 
Haines appointed blacksmith of Gov. Barstow's regiment. Sebra Howard, of the Third Regi- 
ment, died in the hospital at Elyria, Ohio, en route for the South. 

April. — Battle of Pittsburg Landing, where the rebels drank whisky and gunpowder and 
fought like demons, and in which Capt. Pease was killed. 

May. — Arrival and burial of the remains of Capt. Pease. Private N. R. Towsley, Com- 
pany D, Sixteenth Wisconsin, returned with a finger shot off, at the battle of Shiloh. Private 
Harrison Fuller, same company, returned with serious wounds received at Shiloh. He died soon 
after his arrival. 

June. — Lieut. Royce, Company D, Sixteenth Wisconsin, promoted to Captain in place of 
Capt. Pease, killed. Private John Cawley, Company D, Seventeenth Wisconsin, died from disease 
contracted in the South. Dr. Charles Lord appointed Post Surgeon at Cape Girardeau, Hlinois. 

July. — Gov. Solomon appointed Miles Joice Second Lieutenant Company H, Seventeenth 
Regiment. 

August. — Enos Salsich, Hiram Barber, ex-Senator Gill, Frederick Kusel and Edward 
Johnson received authority to raise volunteer companies. Gill returned his commission and 
enlisted as a private. Meeting of taxpayers at which resolutions were adopted authorizing the 
levy of a tax for the support of the families of volunteers, and commanding the City Treasurer 
to pay §2.5 to the family of each volunteer who enlisted under the calls of June 2 and August 
4. Henry C. Hadley, of Company D, Sixteenth Wisconsin Volunteers, returned honorably 
discharged, on account of an affliction of the eyes incurred by foi'ced marches in the '' Sunny 
South." Sheriff Smith, of Jefferson County, in accordance with instructions, made arrange- 
ments for making an enrollment of those subject to draft. Following enrolling officers 
appointed : First Ward, Calvin Cheeney ; Second, Eugene Winggenhorn ; Third, John A. 
Chadwick; Fourth, D. Kusel, Jr.; Fifth and Sixth, Charles Walthers; Seventh, A. P. Wood, 
town of Watertown, J. Q. Hull. L. A. Cole appointed Commissioner, and Dr. W. W. Reed, 
Surgeon, for the draft in Jefferson County. Joseph Giles and Calvin Cheeney appointed 
recruiting ofiicers to fill the depleted ranks of old regiments. Charles R. Gill appointed by Gov. 
Solomon Colonel of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin. Samuel Baird appointed Quartermaster ; 
William C. Spalding, Surgeon; William Tompkins, Sergeant Major, and William Summerfield, 
Hospital Steward, same regiment. 

September. — Festival given in honor of the American Volunteers. Capt. Mott presented 
with a sword from the Gorman citizens. Col. Gill presented with a horse by the Watertown 
Volunteers. 

December. — De Witte C. Moak discharged on account of ill health. Lieut. Col. Henry 
Bertram appointed Colonel of the Twentieth Wisconsin. Maj. Thomas McMahon appointed 



394 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Lieutenant Colonel of the Seventeenth. Bernard O'iiyrne received a seventy-pound bell from 
some Watertown bovs then fighting in Mis^^issippi, accompanied by the following inscription : 
" This bell was achieved by the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Uef;iment on a deserted plantation in 
the State of Mississippi. Its former owner is in rebellion against his Government — founded on 
the virtue and intelligence of the people. It was wont to arouse slaves to unrequited toil ; let 
it now call freemen to duty." Noble sentiments I Private James Karr, Company E. Twenty- 
ninth Regiment, died in the hospital at Halena, Ark. 

1863, January. — Private Wm. E. Dervin received four balls in his right leg at the battle of 
Murfreesboro. Cass Green, Sixteenth Wisconsin, returned home, discharged on account of sickne:-s. 

February. — Meeting Ladies' Aid Society. Officers elected: Mrs. Theodore Prentiss, 
President; Mrs. Samuel Baird, Vice President; Mrs. J. T. Moak, Secretary and Treasurer. 
Directors — Mrs. C. A. Sprague, Mrs. S. P. Day, Mrs. McMahon, Mrs. Daniel Hall, Mrs. J. 
J. Enos, Mrs. Ernest Oft', Mrs. 0. B. Sanford. Mrs. Otis Hall. A resolution was passed that 
the members of the society turn their attention toward the preparation of pickles, preserves, 
etc., to be sent to the brave boys in the South then engaged in crushing the rebellion. 

March. — William H. Blanchard left AVatertown with over ten tons of delicacies to be dis- 
tributed among the members of the Twenty- ninth, then encamped at Helena, Ark. Daniel 
Griffith, of Company B, Twenty-ninth Regiment, died in the hospital at Helena. 

April. — Lieut. R. P. Bronson, Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, returned, having 
resigned on account of ill health. Lieut. Col. Jussen, of the Twenty-third Wisconsin, resigneil ; 
ill health. Adjt. Sweeney, of the Twenty-ninth, returned to Watertown on a sick furlough and 
died a few days after his arrival. Ernest Schnasse, Company E, Twentieth Wisconsin, died in 
Missouri from the effect of wounds received at the battle of Prairie Grove. Bradley Richards,- 
Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, died in the hospital at Helena. 

May. — Corp. William Dervin, Sixteenth United States Infantry, returned discharged in 
consequence of a dangerous wound received in the battle of Stone River. AVhen the news was 
received that Gen. Grant had fought five successive battles and gained as many decisive victo- 
ries over the rebels in the vicinity of Vicksburg, there was great rejoicing in Watertown. The 
brass band came out and paraded the streets, salutes were fired, and a general feeling of delight 
could be read in almost every face. 

June. — August Hintz, Company B, Seventeenth Wisconsin, shot through the head by a 
rebel sharpshooter, while working in the trenches before Vicksburg. Lieut. Charles Wood, 
Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, resigned his commission. Sergt. Norman Humphrey 
appointed to fill the place of Corp. Darius Gibbs, promoted to Second Lieutenant. Second 
Lieut. Calvin B. Scott, Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, resigned on account of injuries 
received at Champion Hill, Miss. 

July. — Col. Gill resigned on account of sickness. The surrender of Vicksburg announced ; 
one hundred guns fired. A Ladies' Union League organized in Watertown, with Mrs. P. 
Nichols as President, and Mrs. A. Peterson as Secretary. William Phelps. Company B, Twen- 
ty-ninth Wisconsin, died of typhoid fever in the hospital at Vicksburg. Dr. W. C. Spalding, 
Surgeon in the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, resigned his commission on account of ill health. Dr. 
D. Dubois was appointed in his stead, and William T. Summerfeldt appointed Assistant Sur- 
geon in place of Dubois, promoted. 

August. — Capt. Donald D.Scott appointed Major of the Seventeenth Wisconsin, in place of 
Maj. Plunkett, resigned. 

September. — Private Chauncey Cummings, Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, died at 
Centralia, 111., while on his way home. 

October. — Darius Gibbs appointed First Lieutenant Company B, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, 
in place of Norman Humphreys, resigned. Corp. Julius H. Keyes, wounded at Champion 
Hill, returned home on a furlough. 

November. — John Little appointed First Lieutenant Company D, Seventeenth Wisconsin. 
Lieut. Col. McMahon, Seventeenth Wisconsin, assigned to the command of the Second Brigade, 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 395 

First Division, of the Seventeentli Corps, under Brig. Gen. Dennis, of the Army of the Cum- 
berland. Lieut. A. F. Baehr promoted Captain Company E, Twentieth Wisconsin, in place of 
Capt. F. Kusel, resigned, and Second Lieut. G. Bauman appointed First Lieutenant, in place 
of Baehr, promoted. 

December. — Sergt. H. D. Carlin, Company D, Seventeenth Wisconsin, opened a recruit- 
ing office in the Watertown House, to fill the depleted ranks of the " Irish Brigade." 

1864, January. — Sergt. Hinze, Company E, Twentieth Wisconsin, opened a recruiting 
office for the same purpose. 

February. — Col. Henry Bertram opened a recruiting office, offering a bounty of $402 for 
veterans and $-302 for fresh men, together with the $100 to be voted by the ta.xpayers of Water- 
town. Henry C. Hadley, formerly of the Sixteenth Wisconsin, re-enlisted in the Twenty-ninth. 
Watertown authorized by the Legislature to levy a tax to pay $100 bounty to volunteers. Capt. 
Off's company, of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, re-enlisted. Lieut. Col. W. A. Greene 
appointed Colonel of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, in place of Col. Gill, resigned. Sergt. Maj. 
Thompson appointed Second Lieutenant Company C. Seventeenth Wisconsin Volunteers re-en- 
listed. Henry C. Hadley appointed Adjutant of the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin. 

March. — Capt. Mott, Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, resigned on account of sickness; succeeded 
by Lieut. Gibbs ; Gibbs by Sergt. F. B. Northup. Dr. J. S. Potter appointed Assistant Sur- 
geon of the Twenty-ninth. 

April. — James P. Nichols appointed Second Lieutenant of Company D, Thirty-eighth Wis- 
consin. Maj. Bradford Hancock appointed Lieutenant Colonel Twenty-ninth Wisconsin, in place 
of William T. Greene, promoted. Sergt. Henderson Colvin appointed Second Lientenant Company 
D, Seventeenth Wisconsin. 

June. — H. S. Ransom, formerly of Watertown, who went as Captain of a volunteer com- 
pany from Whitehall, N. Y., had his arm shattered by a shell, and a minie ball passed through 
his right lung, in a fight between Gens. Butler and Beauregard. Sergt. David L. Cole, Company 
H, Thirty-seventh Wisconsin, killed in Virginia. He went from Watertown as a substitute. 

July. — John C. Dervin returned, having served three years. Watertown filled her quota 
under the call for 500,000 volunteers. Lieut. McMahon returned: resigned after having marched 
with Sherman "to the sea." Sergt. James A. Norris, First Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, 
returned, having served three years. He was at the battle of Chickamauga, and helped to 
capture Atlanta. 

November. — Sergt. W. A. Bingham, of the First Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, returned, 
after three years of faithful service. Thanksgiving dinner given by the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid 
Society. 

December. — Citizens of the First Ward raise a special fund to pay substitutes to serve in 
place of those to be drawn in the call and draft for •' 300,000 more." 

1865, January. — Adj. Crane, of the Seventeenth Wisconsin, returned from Savannah, having 
been with Sherman during his famous march through Georgia. 

February. — The Legislature passed an act authorizing the wards of Watertown to raise a 
separate tax to pay for volunteers. Col. Bertram, of the Twentieth Wisconsin, returned from 
Mobile to follow his wife to the grave. Capt. E. Oft' and Lieut. J. P. McDonald, of the Third 
Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, returned ; time expired. Col. W. A. Greene, Twenty-ninth 
Wisconsin, returned from Kennersville, La. ; time expired. 

April. — The fall of Richmond ! Great enthusiasm and the wildest excitement in Water- 
town. Private residences illuminated, and the streets ablaze with bonfires ; and the excitement 
did not subside when the joyous news was received that Lee had surrendered. The prospects 
for peace and an undivided Union were true sources of exultation. Main street presented a 
bewildering scene, on the 10th of April, when a grand procession paraded from one end to the 
other, and back again, with banners flying, music playing and the multitude shouting itself 
hoarse, the whole demonstration being a spontaneous and overflowing outburst of the patriotic 
emotions of the popular heart. 



396 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

But all this joy was turned into the deepest sorrow a few days later, when the news was 
flashed ovpr the wires that President Lincoln had been assassinated. The •26th of April, the 
date of the obsequies of the martyred President, was appropriately observed. All places of 
business were closed, most of them being heavily draped in mourning, and services were held in 
all the churches. 

May. — The killing of Booth, the assassin, and the capture of that arch-traitor, Jefferson 
Davis, in woman's clothes, seemed to partially relieve the people of their sorrowful looks and 
feelings. 

June. —A minie ball taken from the right nasal cavity of Julius H. Keyes, where it had 
been imbedded for two years, received at the battle of Champion Hills, May 16, 1863. 

Every day began to bring the familiar face of some battle-worn veteran, returning from the 
war. " The late rebellion " soon became a favorite term applied to the bloody conflict which 
had raged for over four years. Peace and quiet and prosperity had returned to the land, let us 
hope to remain forever. 

POLITICAL HISTORY. 

[llY A JKFFEBSO.MAN DEMOCRAT.] 

The Democratic party early gained the ascendency in the county, and has generally main- 
tained it, although, in the early conflicts, the Whig party, and later the Republican party, have 
won some victories over it, and obtained some temporary advantages. 

The causes for such early and steady adhesion to the fortunes of that party, if sought for, 
will be found in the fact that the pioneers of the county — those who acted leading and important 
parts in organizing the county, opening its roads, bridging its streams, locating and founding its 
cities and numerous villages, and building its mills and bringing in settlers, and helping and 
encouraging them under the work and di.scouragements attending the settlement of a new county 
— were Democrats, and were men of good, strong sense and of resolute nature, and such results 
were among the most natural things ; for brains and force together seldom fail to impress them- 
selves upon milder and more gentle material, and hence the settlers of a new country are always 
found following, in a certairv sense, the most forcible character which they find in their com- 
munities. In this way, we can easily account for the establishment of any peculiar social or 
political ideas in a community. 

The men elected from the county to the Constitutional Convention, which framed our 
present Constitution, were all Democrats, and were influential in that body of able men. Of 
those delegates, there remain Milo Jones, of the city of Fort Atkinson, and Theodore Prentiss, 
of the city of Watertown. Mr. Jones is a man of sturdy nature, and whether in business or 
politics, does nothing haltingly. Possessing great energy of character, and in the early times, 
in shaping the social and political situation, he justly exercised a wide and permanent iniluence. 
Mr Prentiss carried into that coiivention one of its most sagacious heads, a thoughtful and 
trained mind and pleasant and courteous manners. Mr. Vanderpoel was an apt and adroit man, 
and could acquit himself well in all places. Mr. Folts (now dead), of the town of Hebron, was 
wise, conservative, safe in counsel and useful in suggestion. To this list of Democratic names 
should be added those of many cotemporaries, in all the towns of the county, such as E. G. 
Darling, William Sanborn, Alonzo Wing, Capt. Robert Masters, Capt. E. D. Masters, of Jeffer- 
son, the Rogan brothers, Hon. William M. Dennis, Peter V. Brown, and many others, of Water- 
town; Hon. Austin Kellogg, and others, of Concord, and the Hon. W. W. Woodman, of 
Farraington — the very Achilles of the Jefferson County Democracy ; active, alert, persevering ; 
coming always fearlessly to the front, and having a voice in all things affecting the honor or 
interests of the county, whether it be to watch the taxation, fill a quota or rout the Republicans 
at the polls. These, with hundreds of others in all parts of the county, of whom we have not 
space to make personal mention, constituted the leadership of the Democratic party, and to those 
who know them, their success in the respects mentioned is no subject of wonder or surprise ; it 




(y IVATERTOWN 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 399 

was only the work of their well-known broad and generous natures, their helpful and kindly 
sympathy with the poor early settlers. 

Another cause operating to make Jefferson County Democratic, proper to be mentioned 
here, was a tendency on the part of persons identified with the Whig party to sympatliy with 
the objects and aims of the Know Nothings. Not that any organization of the kind existed in 
the county, but the foreigners, who were rapidly filling up the country, strongly suspected the 
Whig party of illiberal tendencies, and that, whether well or ill founded, served to settle the 
question as to where our foreign-born citizens would ally themselves, and so, with rare excep- 
tions, they are attached to the Democratic party. 

The history of the early contests in the county between the Whig and Democratic parties 
shows that, at an early time, the former had able and sagacious leaders ; indeed, many of the 
early pioneers of the county were Whigs, and were men of great worth as citizens, notably the 
Cole brothers, in Watertown ; many of the settlers in the towns of Oakland and Lake Mills, and 
also in the towns of Koshkonong and Palmyra. The last battle under those names was fought 
in 1854, the Democrats carrying the county. In 1856, the young Republican party came into 
the field and made a good fight, but gained no permanent advantage, except that it found its 
leaders and learned that it could strike heavy blows. In 1858, the Democrats again carried the 
county. In 1860, the long struggle over the Nebraska Bill and the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise gave great energy and vigor to the new party, and it carried the county by a fair 
majority, for the first time. In 1862, the Democrats recovered their lost ground, and again, in 
1864, asserted their supremacy at the polls. In 1866, the Republican party made a vigorous 
campaign, worked with great energy and determination ; but failed, excepting that their candi- 
date for County Treasurer, Mr. Edmund Sweeney, of Watertown, was elected. The majorities 
of most of the Democratic candidates were run down very low. Mr. Sweeney was a very lib- 
eral and popular man, and outrun both his opponents and his friends, being justly held in high 
esteem by men of all parties. 

Since 1866, the Republicans have not made a strong effort to carry the county, but have 
mainly confined their efforts to breaking the Democratic ranks, here or there, where they have 
thought they discovered a weakness, but not with any success until 1878. The trouble so sure 
to attend great majorities has now fallen upon the great and once invincible Jefferson County 
Democracy. Bad faith among leaders, selfishness among candidates — of which a dominant party 
is always possessed of a surplus, and with whom the interests of the party are secondary in 
importance — have done their work, and the party lately so proud and strong presents a most 
humiliating spectacle of disorganization and helplessness. In 1878, the county elected a Repub- 
lican Senator, by a larger majority than was ever given to a Democrat ; elected Republicans in 
two of the Assembly districts which had been Democratic ; gave the Republican condidate for 
Congress a large majority; defeated the Democratic candidate for District Attorney, and 
reduced the majorities of all the candidates. So far as it went, the rout was complete. This 
is not the time or place to in((uire into the causes for such a defeat, but it is safe to say it sug- 
gests a necessity for reform in the methods oi' party management. 

The Republican party in the county is in the hands and control of an exceedingly able and 
sagacious body of men, and they promptly seize upon the mistakes of the majority and turn 
them to account ; and, however overwhelming a defeat may overtake them at the polls, they 
close up the ranks, scan closely the causes, and challenge the old enemy anew. The officials of 
the General Government, in the county, are fit and competent men, next to the consideration of 
which the most common purpose of their appointment is utility and willingness to work for the 
party. The effectiveness of such work is most clearly pointed out in the results of the late 
election (1879). While the Democratic candidate for Governor carries the county by a reduced 
majority, the candidate on the ticket with him for County Superintendent of Schools is defeated, 
and the candidate for Clerk of the Circuit Court barely escapes defeat. These are the only 
county candidates running at this election. A Republican is elected by a large majority in the 
First Assembly District, which is usually Democratic by 600 majority ; and a Republican is 

F 



400 HISTOPY OF .JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

also elected in the Second District by an estimated majority of over 400, which usually gives 
125 Democratic majority. 

It has been said by eminent political philosophers that it is impossible for a political party 
to correct abuses and reform itself while it holds power in its hands. It remains to be seen 
whether the Democratic party in the county, as well as in the State and nation, can perfect and 
accomplish internal reforms in itself while out of power and smarting under most inglorious 
defeat. 



WATERTOWN. 

Fortunately for posterity, Timothy Johnson, the first white settler in what is now the city 
of Watertown, has left us a sketch which will shine in these pages as a jeweled monument 
to his memory until age and the fingers of unborn generations shall have faded and worn 
them beyond man's power of transcription. Already the documents handed down to us by this 
earliest of early pioneers begin to show signs of decay and emit the musty odor of age. Who, 
could they behold them, would say that the advent of the compiler is untimely, or that the 
preservation of these historical fragments is not a commendable deed for a worthy object? Let 
us hope that some future historian will perpetuate the memory of Timothy Johnson and his 
companions of 18.36—37, by collating this record with the spirit of duty and pride which 
should animate the breast of every student of research. 

Luther A. Cole, one of the very few early settlers of Watertown now living, came from 
Milwaukee to what was then Johnson's Rapids (now Watertown), in 1836, arriving in cumpany 
with Reeve Griswold (who now lives a short distance .south of Watertown), Philander Baldwin 
and Amasa Hyland. Mr. Cole was born in West Charleston, Orleans Co., Vt., November 1, 
1812. He says that previous to 1836, very little or nothing was reliably known of the spot 
where the city of Watertown now stands. It is reported that a Frenchman had established a 
trading-post on the west side of Rock River, in what is now the Third Ward, on a rise of 
ground where Timothy Johnson built the first dwelling-house ever erected by an American 
within the present limits of the city. Near the Frenchman's deserted and decaying cabin, was 
an Indian burying-ground, containing several graves. At the head of one of them stood a 
rude wooden cross, which tradition says was the last resting-place of the solitary trader, who 
had been murdered by the Indians in a fierce impulse of passion, to avenge some real or fancied 
injury, or to get an opportunity to plunder his stock. It is well known that Indians sometimes 
pav their debts in that way, and at the same time supply their wants. Who the trader was, 
where he came from, how long he had been here, what acts aroused the fatal resentment of his 
savage neighbors, are inquiries so deeply involved in mystery that they can never be answered. 

When Mr. Cole came to Johnson's Rapids, he found the west side of the river occupied by 
Winnebago Indians, and the east side in the possession of Pottawatomies. Scattered about 
here and there, were several acres of cleared land which had been cultivated as cornfields by 
the Indians, and the old hills, where the corn had been planted, he says, were plainly visible. 
They were strongly attached to this region ; it had long been tlieir home, and here were the 
graves of their ancestors. They surrendered it with regret and left it unwillingly. 

It is related that in the summer of 1833, a detachment of soldiers, commanded by Gen. 
Henry Dodge, crossed the river a few rods north of Main street bridge, in pursuit of that cele- 
brated war chief. Black Hawk. Evidence of this was found in the form of an old, broken-down 
Government wagon which had been abandoned by the troops, half a mile east of the river. The 
red men of the forest, who dwelt in this beautiful valley before the advent of civilization, have, 
many of them, gone to " the happy hunting-grounds." A few of them still linger about the 
scenes of their youth and gaze, seemingly, with regretful eyes upon grand structures standing 
upon the ground once warmed by the ashes of their campfires. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 401 



TIMOTHY JOHNSON. 

A few of the incidents connected with the experience of Timothy Johnson, before he settled 
on the site of Watertown, are identical with the subject of this chapter. Mr. Johnson, not long 
before his death, wrote a narrative of his experience here, from which the subjoined facts are taken. 
He was a native of Middletown, Conn., born June 28, 1792. After traveling over and living in 
many parts of the South and East, he found himself, in the fall of 1835, in the village of Racine, at 
that'time composed of but a few shanties. In January, 1836, undeterred by the severity of winter 
storms, he continued his march westward, striking the Rock River Valley in the vicinity of 
Wisconsin City, a "paper village" with one inhabitant, the site of which is now embraced 
within the limits of Janesville. Going to Rockford, 111., for a supply of provisions, he returned 
to Wisconsin City, and, in February, renewed his journey, following the course of the river 
northward. Stopping about two miles below the present site of Jefferson, Johnson erected a 
small log shanty. He occupied his time by clearing a small spot of ground, and in making 
short excursions about the country. During one of these exploring expeditions, he discovered 
what was soon afterward known as Johnson's Rapids (now Watertown). The banks of the river 
at this point were fringed with a beautiful growth of red cedars, the background being thickly 
wooded, on the west side with stately oaks and on the east with a forest of maples, elms and ash. 
The eastern half of the stream was covered with a sheet of glistening ice, and, felling a tree 
across the unfrozen current, the solitary adventurer crossed over the rippling waters and returned 
to his shanty. While on this expedition, Johnson was robbed of the provisions he carried with 
him by a band of red-skins, and was without food forty-eight hours. 

Johnson visited " the Rapids " again within a few weeks, and staked out a '' claim " of 
about one thousand acres, whereon the principal portion of W^atertown now stands. In June, 
1836, he made a trip to Milwaukee, where he purchased a fresh supply of pi'ovisions, a yoke of 
oxen and a wagon. He returned to his shanty on Rock River by way of Fort Atkinson, bring- 
ing with him Philander Baldwin, Reeve Griswold and Charles Seaton. During the summer, 
thev cut a road from Johnson's shanty up the east side of the river to " the Rapids," and soon 
afterward built a log cabin on the west side of the river, below the railroad junction, on the site 
now occupied by Mr. Carlin's residence. Seaton, Griswold and Baldwin were permitted by Mr. 
Johnson to make claims within his thousand-acre plat, and temporary cabins were erected thereon. 
In the f:vll, Johnson sent word to his family in Ohio to meet him in Milwaukee, and, about the time 
he calculated they would reach that point, he took his departure from "the Rapids," on horse- 
back, for the purpose of joining them, following the Indian trails through Ixonia, Oconomowoc 
and Summit to Prairieville (now Waukesha). WHiile crossing the river, Mr. Johnson was thrown 
from his horse, receiving a thorough wetting and rendering useless his fire-matches. Being with- 
out a supply of " fire-water," he passed a cold and disagreeable night beside a fallen tree near 
the junction of the Twin Lakes. 

A DIFFICULT VOYAGE. 

On reaching Milwaukee, he found his family awaiting him. Procuring their conveyance to 
the upper lake on the Oconomowoc, Mr. Johnson, on his Indian pony, returned to that point 
by a less circuitous route than the one to be traveled by his family. Arriving there on "sched- 
ule time," he met, as per previous arrangement. Reeve Griswold and Richard Miller, the hitter 
having in the mean time joined the settlers at "the Rapids." Here the trio, armed with the 
necessary edged tools, dug three poplar canoes, each being thirty-one feet in length. A cedar 
raft was then constructed capable of carrying several tons, and the primitive fleet was launched 
and then lashed together. With this catamaran Mr. Johnson anticipated but little trouble ut 
floating his household goods down the Oconomowoc and Rock Rivers to "the Rapids." But 
the voyiige proved to be anything but a pleasant one. Passing out of the lake, they found the 



402 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

water quite shallow, and some days they did not travel to exceed eighty rods. After five days 
of tribulation, the party reached what is now the village of Oconomowoc, at the head of the 
lower lake. The next morning the lake was covered with ice, and further progress was impos- 
sible. Abandoning the project of reaching their destination by water, Johnson and Miller set 
out to procure a team with which to complete the journey. Retaining to the spot where his 
family was temporarily encamped, Mr. Johnson filled his wagon with the most necessary articles 
comprising the cargo of his peculiar craft, including his wife and children, and started for 
"the Rapids." At the crossing of a stream, afterward known as Battletown Creek, about 
three miles from the lake, it was found necessary to build a bridge in order to get the wagon 
and team over. The weather was intensely cold, and a temporary cabin was constructed to 
shelter the party while the work of bridging was going on. During his stay at this point, 
Johnson had "a slight unpleasantness" with a man in his employ named Gardner, which 
ended in an old-fashioned fisticuff", in which Gardner was defeated. The next morning. 
Reeve Griswold wrote with a piece of red chalk, across the face of a fresh-cut stump, the word 
'• Battletown." From this incident Battletown Creek took its name. 

The bridge finished and the stream crossed, it was found necessary to cut a road through the 
woods the remaining thirteen miles to "the Rapids," and on the 10th of December, 1836, three 
weeks and three days from the time the poplar canoes and cedar raft were launched, the party 
reached their final destination. 

These are but a few of the incidents attending the first settlement of Watertown, about all 
of which there is any record from the pen of Timothy Johnson. Thus they are born again to 
live, let us hope, for all time to come. 

LUTHER A. COLE. 

A few years ago, Luther A. Cole wrote a sketch upon the subject of his experience in Wis- 
consin. He premised his remarks by saying he left his home in Vermont at the age of twenty- 
two, and landed at Detroit in 1834. From there he went to Grand Haven, where, in company 
with Philander Baldwin and Elisha M. Osborn, he went to Chicago. From that village the 
trio started on foot for Milwaukee, following the Indian trails most of the way, and arriving 
there May 10, 1836. 

"I worked," says Mr. Cole, "at the carpenter and joiner business until December, with the 
exception of about two months, which I devoted exclusively to the ague. Taking my blanket 
and provisions upon my shoulder, I started for Johnson's Rapids, passing over the road which 
bad been cut out by Mr. Johnson a few weeks previous. Amasa flyland accompanied me. A 
few months before, I had, through the agency of a friend, made two claims at the Rapids, one 
covering the farm now owned by John W. Cole, and the other the farm now owned by heirs of 
Benjamin J. Morey. In January following, I purchased, at Milwaukee, three barrels of flour 
and three of pork. I paid $20 a barrel for the flour and §40 a barrel for the pork. Building 
a cabin in company with Mr. Hyland and my brother, John W., we commenced keeping what 
we called 'bachelors' distress.' The peculiar luxury of this method of living can only be appre- 
ciated by those who have enjoyed it. We made it a point not to wash our dishes until we could 
count the mice tracks upon them. 

" The season of 1837, I worked on the saw-mill and dam of Charles F. H. Goodhue & Son. 
From that time until the fall of 1839, I was occupied mainly at lumbering and farming. In 
November of that year, Mr. Hyland, J. A. Chadwick, David Griffith, William P. Owen, William 
Stanton, Jr., Brice Hall, John Dimmick and myself went to Arkansas for the purpose of spend- 
inc the wintei- in chopping steamboat wood. We floated down Rock River in a skifl", and 
were eight days reaching the Mississippi. We remained in Arkansiis until the following spring, 
each of us making a clever-sized 'pile,' when we returned to Watertown. 

"In 1841, my brother John W. and myself erected the building on the corner of Main and 
Second streets, and opened the first store in Watertown. The next year, Mr. Bailey and myself 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 403 

purchased of Selvay Kidder (he having previously purchased of the Goodhues) 750 acres of land 
)n the east side of the river, included in the present site of the city, with the mill and water- 
aower. We were to pay 1,000,000 feet of lumber, to be delivered at Beloit within seven years. 
We associated with us, the next year, Linus R. Cady and my brother, Ebenezer W., and in 
;hree years and a half from the date of the purchase we made the last payment. 

* * * * u jjj ^}jg gpj-ing of 1838, provisions and money were scarce. We had but 
ittle pork in the settlement, and subsisted mainly upon fresh fish, with which Rock River 
ibounded. Our flour having failed us, at one time we were nearly a week without bread. 

" The Winnebago Indians committed many petty thefts for some time after Watertown was 
irst settled. One of them having stolen a watch from Mr. Griswold, a pair of mittens of Peter 
V. Brown, and a quantity of tobacco from me, we thought it best to make an example of him. 
Forming a ring and stripping him of his blanket, Griswold and I took turns in applying the 
ash to his back. But we tempered justice with mercy; no blood was drawn. The expedient 
BTorked like a charm. After that, Indian thefts were hardly known in the settlement." 

A MILD REVENGE. 

Timothy Johnson has also left some sketches regarding the unpleasant features of having^ 
[ndian neighbors. "In January, 1837," he says, "I bought a load of provisions at Milwaukee. 
3ne barrel of flour I could not get into my shanty, and I left it, for the night, outside the door. 
[n the morning, it was gone, as was also a bed-cord I had used to bind the load. I could easily 
letermine, from the tracks in the snow, that the thieves were Indians. I followed them nearly 
the present village of Lowell, but, not overtaking them, gave up the chase. About two years 
ifterward, I ascertained the name of the mover in the theft. He said that he and his company 
ashed two poles together with the bed-cord, and, fastening them to the pack-saddles of two 
jonies, placed the flour upon them. The reason he assigned for the theft was that, while I was 
n Milwaukee after my provisions, he had sold a pony to my son for five gallons of whisky, 
vhich, he said, he found to have been watered. He maintained that the flour would no more 
;han make good the supposed cheat. 

AN UNEQUAL STRUGGLE. 

" In the spring of 1837, six drunken Indians and their squaws came to my log house and 
isked for whisky, saying, in their native language, that they were 'whisky hungry.' I refused 
o let them have any. This exasperated them, and one of their number, catching up an ax, 
limed a blow at my head ; but I warded it off, and, jerking the ax from him, threw it at some 
•ods distant. I then seized a pitchfork, and, striking him over the head, felled him to the 
jround. Drawing to strike again, the instrument was caught by the remaining five Indians, 
md neither party was able to wrench it from the other. Letting go with my right hand, I used 
ny fist upon the red-skins, and, knocking them all down, rushed into the house and bolted the 
loor. One of them got the ax, and, approaching the door, gave it a blow, the mark of which 
s visible to this day. I told him I would assuredly shoot him if he broke in the door. A con- 
lultation took place between them, and, picking up the Indian whom I had first struck, they 
leparted, encamping for the night near the present residence of William M. Dennis. Early 
he next morning, the father of the wounded Indian visited me, and said he wanted some whisky 
vith which to wash his papoose's head, as he was ' much hurt.' I told him he could not have 
he whisky, but that I would go up and see the fellow. I did so, and found the camp thirty 
itrong. I examined his skull, but found it was not broken, although it had been laid bare by 
he blow from the pitchfork. I assisted in dressing the wound, and then left. Had not the 
'ather of the young man voluntarily proclaimed that he was 'a bad papoose,' the affair might 
lave been attended with serious consequences ; as it was, I heard no more of it." 



401 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



AN ANCIENT MARINER. 



Capt. James Rogan is one of the few who still live to relate the circumstances of Water- 
town's first settlement. The Captain is now seventy-eight years of age. He converses upon the subject 
of pioneer days in Wisconsin in the manner of one in the possession of a good memory, and is 
gifted with the faculty of depicting the early events with wonderful detail, and coloring them 
with that happy Munchausen hue so faithfully employed by writers of the modern daily press. 
He acquired the title of Captain through being the commander of a schooner which plowed 
the treacherous waters of Lake Michigan, and belongs to that army of ''old salts" whose 
weather-eye is ever on the alert for Fortune Harbor. In 1835-36, the Captain made several 
trips in his vessel from Cleveland, to Milwaukee, and in the latter year he abandoned the 
mission of a mariner when in port at the latter village, establishing himself there in the general 
merchandise business. In the summer of 1836, Charles Seaton, who, as already related, came 
to the present site of Watertown with Timothy Johnson and Reeve Griswold, and located a 
claim, returned to Milwaukee, where he met Capt. Rogan. The .beauties of Rock River Valley 
were narrated by Seaton with such eloquent effect that the Captain concluded to cast his lot in 
that direction. Exchanging his schooner, which rode at anchor in the lake, for Seaton's land 
claim, he made preparations to remove, with his family, to the spot predestined to be their home 
for many years. In January, 1837, the Captain came to the Rapids, made a claim on the west 
side of the river, built a house thereon, and returned to Milwaukee for his family and friends. 
The party consisted of Capt. Regan, his wife and two daughters (the eldest of whom after- 
ward became the wife of Dr. Cody), Peter Rogan and Ezra Dolliver. They arrived at 
Johnson's Rapids on the 2d of March, 1837, and camped on the west side of the river. Their 
first work was the construction of a double log house on the site now occcupied by Woodard 
& Stone's bakery. The Captain's shanty at once became the headquarters of all new 
arrivals, and was for some time regarded as "the leading hotel at Johnson's Rapids." Gov. 
Ludington and his uncle, Harvey Burchard, and John Hustis. are among those who have 
roasted Irish potatoes (the Captain's native fruit) in the hospitable fireplace of the Hotel de 
Rogan . 

" Potatoes cost me twenty shillings a bushel in Chicago," says the Captain, "and four shil- 
lings a bushel to bring them here from Milwaukee ; but I consider them cheap even at that price, 
when I think of the good solid comfort we had baking them in the ashes and eating them with 
tlie jackets on. When I came here," continued the Captain, after a solemn pause, " there were 
over four hundred Winnebago Indians camped within half a mile of the place whereon I built my 
shanty. But they were the best neighbors I ever had. I brought with me from Milwaukee a large 
supply of that indispensable concomitant which figures so largely in the complete commissariat of 
every frontiersman. It was of a good quality, too, and when I sold or traded it to the Indians 
I refrained from the reprehensible practice of diluting it with water — a practice which, I am 
sorry to say, is a prevailing one among dealers of the present day. The Indians all liked me 
and my whisky ; and even now the remnants of their race still living in this vicinity, when 
they visit Watertown, come to my house, and they never go away thirsty. * * * * 

This was the prettiest valley I ever saw — standing boldly out in its native grandeur ; grand 
groves of oaks and elms and maples and basswood; the banks of the river on either side fringed 
with red cedars, resembling hedge fences. Within the forest abounded herds of deer. I have 
seen at one time over one hundred of these animals gamboling over the very spot where St. 
Bernard's Church now stands." 

The Captain also relates the following "fish story:" "The waters of Rock River were 
alive with fish. When the first dam was built the stream below it was left very shallow, and it 
was a favorite place for teamsters to cross from one side of the river to the other. If you'll 
believe me, the fish were so thick that hundreds of them were killed by the feet of the teams, 
while others would be thrown into the air by the spokes of the revolving wheels." 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 405 



THE FIRST DEATH AND THE FIRST BIRTH. 

It is to be regretted that the first death of a white person in Watertown was the result of 
intemperance. Far better had it been a tragedy — if tragedy it must be — of a bloodier nature. 
The victim was Thomas Bas3. He was burned to death in January, 1837, in a cabin which 
stood near the old site of Virgil D. Green's wagon-shop. Bass and two or three others had 
passed the afternoon and evening by drinking and carousing. Their debauch was prolon;;ed 
far into the night, and the next morning Bass was found near the fire a corpse, one arm being 
nearly burned ofl', and other parts of his body badly charred. A coffin from hewn pieces of 
basswood was prepared, and the remains were interred not far from the site of the old school- 
house. William Brayton, of Aztalan, recited a prayer on the occasion of the funeral. Rumors 
having been circulated that violence was the prime cause of the horrible affair, the Coroner of 
Milwaukee was sent for, the remains disinterred and an inquest held. As a result of the 
inquest, two men, who were with Bass on that tragic night, were arrested and taken to Milwau- 
kee for trial, but they were acquitted. 

There is a diversity of opinion as to who was the first white child born in Watertown. 
Capt. James Rogan states, with characteristic positiveness, that to Alzenia Johnson, daughter 
of Timothy Johnson, and who is now believed to be residing in Florida, belongs the honor. 
The Captain says his wife was present when the infant Alzenia came into the world, and he 
gives as the date of the event, June, 1837. 

By others it is asserted that a daughter of Isaac Hammerson, now believed to be living in 
Eau Claire, was the first white child who saw the light of day in this portion of Rock River 
Valley. Mr. Luther Cole states that Alzenia Johnson was two years old when the family came 
from Milwaukee, and that her father carried her over the mud-holes upon his back. 

THE FIRST DEED. 

Capt. James Rogan claims to hold the first deed to any land within the present limits of 
the city of Watertown ever conveyed to any person. He says it was given to him by John 
Hall, of Michigan, who accompanied a Government Surveyor named Brink on a surveying 
exjiedition operating in the Rock River Valley in 1885. The Captain says it is dated July 9, 
1833. The land covered by the deed was the northwest quarter of Section 32, Town 9, Range 
15. The second deed to the property was received for I'ecord August 26, 1836, at 11 A. M., 
by Cyrus Hawley, Deputy Register of Milwaukee County, and was made between Charles Sea- 
ton, of Milwaukee, of the first part, and James Rogan, of the same place, of the second part. 
The consideration was $1, and "this indenture assigns forever, all one equal undivided sixth 
part of six claims on Rock River, made by Messrs. Johnson, Griswold, Orr, Tucker, T. Holmes 
and Seaton." 

GROWTH OF WATERTOWN. 

In 1868, at the request of the editor of the Democrat, Luther A. Cole furnished a sketch 
for publication in that journal, which contained some valuable information relative to the pro- 
gress of Watertown. "In the latter part of 1836," says Mr. Cole, "Charles F. H. Goodhue 
and George J. Goodhue came up Rock River from Beloit and purchased the claims of Timothy 
Johnson and others, on the east side of the river. During that fall and winter, and the spring of 
1837, ten or twelve log houses, or cabins, as they were called, were hastily put up and roofed 
with shakes, there being no lumber or shingles here then. In the spring of 1837, the soil was broken 
and the first seed put into the earth. Small quantities of corn, potatoes and beans were raised and 
harvested, but most of our breadstufis had to be brought from Milwaukee, through a dense and 
unbroken wilderness, at a great cost of time, trouble and labor, to say nothing of the iiigh price 
that was originally paid for theni, flour being worth $25 per barrel. In the spring of 1837, 
James Rogan and two or three other families came here, in addition to Mr. Johnson's family. 



406 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

In May of that year, George J. Goodhue came here with his millwrights, built a double saw- 
mill and put a dam across Rock River — the first ever built on that stream, either in Wisconsin 
or Illinois. The mill was ready for sawing and began to turn out lumber in December follow- 
ing. At that time, the inhabitants here numbered about seventy persons." 

FIRST SETTLERS. 

Mr. Cole then proceeds to give from memory, a list of those who had come to Johnson's 
Rapids for the purpose of settling, to December, 18-37: Timothy Johnson (dead) and family; 
William H. Acker, dead ; Ezra Abell, whereabouts unknown ; Peter V. Brown, Watertown ; 
Joel Boughton, dead ; Edmund S. Bailey, Minnesota ; Philander Baldwin, dead ; Lawrence 
Beaulieu. dead; Victor Beaulieu, Concord, Jefferson County ; Louis Beaudrie, unknown ; Thomas 
Bass, dead ; Luther A. Cole, Watertown ; John W. Cole, Watertown ; John A. Chadwick, 
Watertown ; Cyrus Cummings, Vermont ; Ambrose Comstock, dead ; Dr. Colbough, Canada ; 
William M. Dennis, Watertown; Peter De Coursey, Minnesota; Ezra Dolliver, dead; Patrick 
Durfey, dead ; George J. Goodhue, Iowa ; John B. Geaundern, dead ; William T. Goodhue, 
dead: Charles F. H. Goodhue, dead; John C. Gilman, dead; Reeve Griswold, Watertown; 
Manonah Griffin, dead; Stephen Gray, Manitowoc; Darius Healey, dead; Amasa Hyland, 
dead ; Isaac Hammerson, Eau Claire ; Dudley Little. Chicago ; Richard Miller, dead ; William 
Maitland, dead ; Benjamin F. Morey, dead ; Silas W. Newcomb, Ohio ; Stephen Peck, dead ; 
Louis Paupaux, unknown ; James Rogan, Watertown ; Peter Rogan, California ; Patrick Rogan, 
Watertown ; Volney Raymond, South ; John Richards, dead ; Charles Seaton, dead ; William 
Stanton, dead ; Mr. Sumpter, South ; Benjamin Severns, dead ; Samuel B. Vinton, Waterloo, 
Iowa; Nelson Waterman, Camp Douglas, Wis.; Clark Waterman, dead; Jacob Wedeman, 
dead, and Vivalda Wood, Ohio. 

Mr. Cole's sketch concludes as follows : " The roads were very bad and frequently impass- 
able. In the month of July, 1837, a company of fifteen men went out east toward Milwaukee, 
and spent two weeks in the woods in constructing bridges and causeways, so that teams could 
pass with wagons. At this day, some people think they sufier in coming here over the railroads 
now running in every direction; a slight touch of pioneer experience would show them the dif- 
ference between traveling then and now. Our city did not improve very rapidly for some years; 
most of the lumber manufactured here being taken in rafts down the river to Janesville, Beloit 
and Rockford. In 1841, James Rogan erected another saw-mill on the west side of the river. 
In the fall of 1842, the property on the east side of the river was purchased by Cole, Bailey k 
Co., who. during the following year, erected what was long known as the old yellow grist-mill. 
A part of the city was then laid out in blocks and lots, Milo Jones, of Fort Atkinson, being 
the surveyor. After that the village took a fresh start, and the surrounding country began to 
settle up with farmers. Brick blocks began to appear, and we have gone steadily forward until 
now [1868] our city numbers about 10,000 people, the German element predominating." 

In the spring of 1853, the date of Watertown's incorporation as a city, the place contained 
4,000 inhabitants. There were six dry-goods, eleven grocery, two drug and three hardware 
stores ; fifteen taverns (and saloons), two bakeries, three meat markets, two livery stables, one 
tobacconist's factory, seven blacksmith, six wagon, two joiner, two jewelry, four tin, six cabinet, 
one chair, one machine and five shoe shops ; one fork and hoe, one plow, one door and sash and 
one saleratus factory ; three flouring and four saw mills ; one fanning-mill and two harness- 
maker's shops, two bookstores, two barber-shops, one gunsmith, one tannery, one furnace, one 
pottery, one oil-mill, one carding machine, one rake and cradle factory, one woolen and yarn 
factory, two printing offices, six schoolhouses, two select schools and one bank. 

The census of 1855 shows the population of Watertown to have been 8,512, an increase of 
7,000 in ten years. In point of population it was the second city in the State. 

In 1856, the city of Watertown, among other institutions, contained twelve schools, nine 
churches, twentv-eieht dry-goods, twenty-four grocery, nine hardware, four drug, six clothing, 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COlfNTY. 40T 

six boot and shoe and three fancy stores ; ten hotels and two banks, five livery stables, five meat 
markets, four millinery establishments, four bookstores, four printing offices, one foundry, nine 
saw-mills, three flouring-mills, one woolen factory, ten carriage-shops, twenty-nine blacksmith- 
shops, nine cooper-shops, three bakers, seven lumber-yards, seven brickyards and fifteen 
warehouses. 

The growth of the city since that time has been of the most permanent character. Schools 
and churches have increased in number and importance. Manufacturing establishments have 
been enlarged to meet the demands of the populous territory which invariably and necessarily 
surrounds a prosperous city. Three railway lines form a junction within the limits of Water- 
town, affording a convenient outlet for the abundance of breadstuffs and other necessaries of life, 
the fruits of fertile fields and industrious hands. But it is impossible to do justice to the insti- 
tutions of Watertown by referring to them in a general way. Each interest must be treated 
individually and specifically in order to show its importance. 

SCHOOLS. 

To that greatest of the great companions of civilization, the public school, Watertown is 
chiefly indebted for its prosperity. To the same agency it owes its present importance, and 
upon the development or hampering of that agency must surely depend its future advancement 
or decay. Thirty-five years ago, the settlers of Watertown saw the necessity for adopting 
measures afl^ording educational opportunities to their children. Their own experience had taught 
them the value of even the most meager knowledge of books obtainable in the common school, 
and they were not slow to determine that their posterity should have at least the same advan- 
tages. To this end we find in the first " Records of School District No. 1, of Watertown," 
the following : 

At the annual meeting of the legal voters of School District No. 1, held at A. Hoffman's shop, in Watertown, on 
the first Monday of October, A. D. 1844, Timothy Johnson was appointed Moderator. The District Clerk being 
absent. Jacob J. Enos was appointed C\erk pro tern. The following named persons were then chosen officers for the 
ensuing year: John C. Oilman, Michael Murphy and Haven M. Morrison, Trustees; John Gibb, Collector; Jacob 
J. Enos. Clerk. On motion of P. Rogan, it was resolved that the year be divided into two terms, called the winter 
and summer terms, and that two-thirds of the public moneys be applied to the winter term and one-third to the sum- 
mer term. On motion, the meeting adjourned sine die. Jacob J. Enos, CUrk. 

At a similar meeting held April 28, 1845, it was resolved that " the trustees hire a male 
teacher for five months, and, if they deem it expedient, that they employ an assistant female 
teacher." 

In October, of the same year, it was decided " to move the schoolhouse on to Lot No. 4, in 
Block No. 32, provided it be moved by Cole, Bailey & Co., at their own expense, and provided 
further, that the said Cole, Bailey & Co. give the district as good title to said No. 4 as it has to 
the one on which the schoolhouse now stands." It was also resolved at this meeting "that $80 
be raised by tax for the purpose of hiring a schoolroom the coming winter." 

At the annual meeting held in October, 1846, it was " resolved that the Trustees be empow- 
ered to sell stove and pipe, the proceeds to go into the contingent fund." 

The struggles of these early pioneers to establish educational facilities for their children 
were not without avail. As the population of Watertown increased, in the same measure did a 
substantial school system become necessary. The log schoolhouse, with its puncheon floor, was 
ibandoned for the more commodious and genteel frame or brick, with seats of surfaced lumber 
md soft pine backs, on which the " a-b, ab " student might test the edge of his first jack-knife. 
Instead of Trustee, the more exalted title of " Director " was written, and finally Superintendent 
jf Schools became a necessary office, as the following will show : 

Watebtown, December 19, 1849. 
To Heber Smith : The office of District Treasurer, in School District No 1, in the town of Watertown, having 
jecome vacant, and the District Board [Directors] of said district having failed to fill the same within ten days, you 
ire hereby appointed to fill said vacancy until the next annual meeting in said district. 

Melancthojj Hoyt, Tntcn Superinlendenl of School.i of said Town of Watertown. 



408 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COLNTY. 

On the Ist day of April, 1850, William C. Fountain. Clerk of the Board, made the follow- 
ing report : 

'• To Rev. Melancthon Moyt, Superintendent, etc.: I hereby certify that the number of 
children between the ages of four and twenty years residing in School District No. 1 is as fol- 
lows : Male, 138 ; female, 166 ; total, 304. I also certify that school has been kept in said 
district by a qualified teacher for three months during the vear ending with the 31st of March, 
1850." 

September 4, 1850, the Clerk of the Board reported that " school had been taught during 
that year by qualified teachers, eight and three-quarters months, as follows : By C. A. Abel, 
three months, at §28 per month ; by Mrs. Newcorab, three weeks, at §3.33 per week ; by H. P. 
Chamberlain, three months, at $28 per month, and by Miss Jane Burnham, two months, at $8 
per month. Amount of money received from the Town Superintendent within the year, $174.46 ; 
amount raised by the district, §89.09. Applied to the payment of teachers' wages, §193 ; 
repairing schoolhouse and for fuel, §7.84 ; collecting school-tax, §4.45. Books used in schools : 
the Eclectic series of Readers, Ray's Arithmetic, Smith k Pruner's Grammar, Comstock's Nat- 
ural Philosophy, McGuffey's Spelling-Book." 

In July, 1850, School District No. 5, in the town of Emmett, Dodge County, was formed. 
Thus, a large portion of District No. 1 was cut off, causing a noticeable diminution in the num- 
ber of scholars in the latter district, while the expense remained quite as large, as is shown by 
the following report of Heber Smith, Board Clerk, dated September 26, 1853 : 

" Number of children in said district (No. 1) on August 31, 1853, under twenty years and 
over four years, 263 [against 304 in 1850]. Number of months a school has been taught, eight 
and a half, as follows : By A. Brooks and associate, six months, at an expense of $235 ; by E. 
Tompkinson, two and a half months, §78. Amount of moneys received from district tax, 
$199.35 ; amount delinquent, §48.13." 

Other districts were formed within the limits of No. 1, still further reducing its territory. 
This was made necessary by the rapid increase in population ; but, instead of a decrease in the 
number of pupils belonging to No. 1, the report of A. F. Cady, the Board Clerk, made Sep- 
tember 1, 1855, shows 426 in attendance during that year. The expense account of the district 
for the same period was §460.48. 

In March, 1856, the Legislature passed an act authorizing the organization of the schools 
of Watertown under the system known as the Union School System, and on the 12th of April, 
same year, the provisions of the law were carried out. Under this act, the schools of the city 
are controlled by a Board of Education, consisting of seven Commissioners, one from each ward, 
to which the Superintendent belongs as ex officio member, though not qualified to vote. The 
Commissioners are elected at the spring elections, for the term of two years, while the Superin- 
tendent is elected by the Board, whose meetings arc held on the first Wednesday of each month. 
The fir.st Board of Education elected under the new system was as follows: First Ward, L. R. 
Cady and Myron B. Williams ; Second Ward, Lawrence FribeVt and Heber Smith ; Third 
Ward, Samuel Ford and Peter Rogan ; Fourth Ward, James Cody and Patrick Rogan ; Fifth 
Ward, Jacob Baumann and William ISI. Dennis; Sixth Ward, John Ford and Fred Hermann. 
William M. Dennis was chosen President of the Board at its first meeting, held April 12, 1856, 
and C. B. Skinner was appointed Superintendent of Schools. 

One frame and three large brick buildings are now in use for the accommodation of those 
attending school under the Union system. Union School No. 1 contains all the grades, from 
the first High School to the lowest Primary grade. No. 2 commences with the first Grammar 
grade, and No. 3 (in Dodge County) with the first Intermediate grade. The First Ward School 
contains two primary grades. The edifice of Union School No. 1 is in the Second Ward, and 
was erected in 1863 ; No. 2 is in the Fourth Ward, and was built in 1867 ; No. 3, Sixth Ward, 
Was completed in 1871, and that in the First known as the First Ward School, in 1878. The 
cash value of the school property of Watertown is placed at §31,000. The number of children 
in the city August 31, 1878, over four and under twenty years of age, was 3,672 ; number in 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOK COUNTY. 409 

atte.'idance at the public schools, same date, 1,247 ; percentage of attendance on the enrollment, 
83 ; number of teachers employed at that date, 20 ; average salaries paid male teachers, 
$866.6(j| per annum ; female teachers, $350 per annum. 

The present Board of Education consists of one Commissioner from each ward, as follows : 
First Ward, Eugene Wiggenhorn ; Second Ward, E. C. Gnebler; Third Ward, A. SoUiday ; 
Fourth Ward, E. Sweeney ; Fifth Ward, H. Wilber ; Sixth Ward, C. Reubhausen ; Seventh 
Ward, J. M. McGolrick. E. Sweeney is President of the Board, and Charles F. Ninman, City 
Superintendent of Schools and Clerk of the Board. At the last meeting of the Board, the fol- 
lowing teachers were appointed : 

Union School, No. 1 — Principal, Prof. W. E. Stroetzel ; High School Department, Miss 
Pauline Voss and John Moran ; Grammar, Miss Margaret Corbett and Miss Rose Bernhard ; 
Intermediate, Miss Electra Wilder, Miss Mary Lerabcke, Miss Maggie McMahon, Miss Ella 
Cohoe and Miss Ida Kopp. 

Union School, No. 2 — Principal and Teacher of Grammar, J. M. Turner ; Miss Minnie 
Voss, Assistant ; Intermediate, Miss Cora Bradbury, Miss Emma McMahon, Miss Emma 
Schochert, Miss Lizzie Davis and Miss Sarah McMahon. 

Union School, No. 3 — Principal and Teacher of Intermediate Department, W. D. Parker ; 
Primary, Miss Attila Stallraann and Miss Celia Bouton. 

First Ward Primary School — Principal, Miss Anna Norris ; Assistant, Miss Lizzie Price. 

The Northivestern University. — This institution was organized in 1864, by the Lutheran 
Synod of Wisconsin. A large brick structure was erected on the east side of the river, within 
the limits of the city of Watertown, at a cost of |!24,000, and was opened for the admission of 
students on the 1st of September, 1865, with Dr. Moldehnke as Principal, and Prof. Adam 
Martin as Assistant. There were but seven students who availed themselves of the advantages 
of the institution at the date of opening, but the number increased to forty before the end of the 
year. In 1867, a building was erected to afford boarding facilities for students. This was 
destroyed by fire on the 28th of December, 1874 ; loss, about $3,000. In the spring of 1875, 
a similar addition to the University was erected, at a cost of $16,000, being more commodious 
and better calculated to answer the purposes for which the original was intended. Prof. Martin 
was the first President of the University. He was chosen in 1866, and held the position for 
three years, being succeeded by the Rev. L. 0. Thompson. The latter retired in 1870, when 
the present incumbent, the Rev. August F. Ernst, was elected. The expense of an education 
at this institution is very slight when compared with the results which must accrue. The can- 
didate for admission as a student is required to pay $30 for tuition and $2.25 for incidentals. 
He can also obtain board in the University for $100 per annum. Those studying theology and 
intending to engage in the ministry are not required to pay for tuition. There are now in 
attendance about two hundred students. Of this number, about two-thirds are from diff'erent 
parts of Wisconsin, the others belonging, principally, to Minnesota. The expense of carrying 
on the institution, not covered by the moneys received for tuition, etc., is defrayed by the Synod. 
Tiiere are seven professors now employed, namely : Prof Ernst, teacher of Moral and Mental 
Philosophy; Prof. William A. Notz, Greek; Prof Andrew W. Easterday, Mathematics; Prof. 
Andrew Peller, Assistant in various departments, and, at present, occupying the Latin Chair; 
Prof Oscar W. Easterday, Assistant in Natural Sciences ; Prof Thomas Snyder, Teacher of 
English. The school term begins the first Wednesday in September, and ends the last Tuesday 
in June. 

College of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. — This institution is situated in the western 
limits of the city, and is one of the first objects to attract the attention of the traveler as he 
alights from the coaches of the Chicago & Northwestern road. Its history as given in the 
Milwaukee Catholic Citizen is as follows : In acquiescence to the formal invitation of his Grace, 
the Right Rev. Archbishop of Milwaukee, the Fathers of the Congregation of the Holy Cross 
took charge of St. Bernard's Parish. Rev. P. P. Cooney, C. S. C, was appointed Pastor by 
the Very Rev. A. Granger, Provincial at Notre Dame, Indiana. But the zeal of the Rev. 



410 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Fathers did not limit itself to the spiritual wants of the parish, and consequently they conceived 
the grand idea of establishing a college adapted to tlie wants of all. For tliis purpose they 
solicited and obtained from the Right Rev. Archbishop a beautiful tract of land to the west of 
the city, and erected thereon a splendid mansion surrounded by delightful and picturesque 
ground. In the beginning of September, 1872, it was opened for the reception of students 
under the administration of the Rev. W. Corby, C. S. C, who had held the position of Pro- 
vincial and Superior at Notre Dame, Indiana, and President of that University. The young 
institution could not fail in being a success. So great was the number of students who flocked 
thither, the capacity of the building was inadequate to their accommodation. Hence, in the 
spring of 1873, President Corby set about erecting a commodious college, in order to have it 
ready for the first session, commencing the following September. This undertaking was carried 
on with such energy, that the institution was completed, chartered by an act of the Legislature, 
granted university privileges, and prepared for the reception of pupils in September, 1873. 
Some of the ablest men in the Congregation of the Holy Cross were appointed as officers and 
professors in it. Rev. P. J. Colovin, C. S. C, was Director of Studies, and Professor of 
Moral and Mental Philosophy and Classics. The Rev. Mr. Colovin being called to the Presi- 
dency of Notre Dame, he was succeeded in turn by the Rev. Fathers Brown, Franciscus, 
O'Connell and Carroll, the latter of whom had acquitted liimself in a most able manner as Pro- 
fessor of Classics and Higher Mathematics in 1876-77. Bro. Marcellinus, C. S. C, the 
present efficient Superior of the Academy at La Salle, 111., creditably acquitted himself as 
Professor of Book-keeping and Commercial Law, from 1872 to 1878. Bro. Gabriel, C. S. C, 
who now directs the Cathedral School at Milwaukee, managed the financial affairs of the college. 
In 1876, Rev. P. W. Condon, C. S. C, for several years Provincial and Superior of the South, 
was appointed President of the College. More recently the Rev. Mr. Colovin became Presi- 
dent of the institution, and still holds that position. The Sisters of tlie Holy Cross have 
charge of the domestic department. The institution is in a flourishing condition. 

Connected with the Evangelical Lutheran Church are two parochial schools — one being sit- 
uated in the country, but the principal one is in Watertown, located directly opposite the church 
building on Jones street. In the latter, there are three classes, comprising about two hundred 
scholars. Both German and English are taught. The schoolhouse was built in 1864, and is of 
brick, two stories high. The children of parents belonging to the congregation are admitted at 
the rate of " two shillings " per month each. If there are more than two of the same family, the 
third and fourth are admitted free. Double rates are charged for children not of the Church. 

The German Lutheran (St. John's) Society also supports two schools, one being in the 
country and the other situated in the Sixth Ward in Watertown. The latter was established 
twenty-four years ago, and now has over one hundred and ninety scholars. The teachers are 
F. W. Fuerslenan, First Class, and F. H. Meyer, Second Class. 

Soon after the organization of the Moravian Church Society, a school was established by 
them, but under the influence of the public-school system, the institution suspended. 

Each of the Catholic congregations in Watertown supports a parochial school. The old 
frame building, wherein St. Henry's (German) Society first worshiped, is now occupied as a 
schoolhouse by four Sister teachers who have presided over classes of Catholic children for the 
past twenty years in Watertown. During the ministry of the Rev. Dr. Norris, of St. Bernard's, 
a parochial school was established, which now consists of about two hundred pupils. 

In 1861, A. S. Dantz opened a commercial college in Watertown Bank Block. It sur- 
vived but a short time. July 28, of the present year, Wilraot, Deming & Marsh, of the North- 
western Business College in Madison, opened a branch of their institution at the corner of West 
avenue and Water street. 

THE WATERTOWN PRESS. 

To the local newspapers — those engines of civilization, liberty and progress — the people of 
Watertown owe an everlasting debt of gratitude — a debt that can only be repaid by the most 



HISTOKY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 411 

liberal patronage and the profoundest respect. While the power of the press cannot be denied, the 
effects of its correlative influence are so gradual and imperceptible as to be rarely appreciated. 
Philosophers have frequently acknowledged themselves unable to decide in their own minds which 
of these institutions — the school or the printing press — is the most essential to the well-being of 
mankind. It is quite certain that either would make slow progress without the aid of the other. 
True, the editor must have had the benefits of schooling to be able to set himself up as a public 
instructor througii the columns of his journal ; but the strength of this argument in favor of the 
superiority of the school is sadly weakened when we consider that the books from which he 
acquired sufficient knowledge to enable him to write even an intelligent account of the veriest 
dog-fight, were the fruit of the printing press. Horace Greeley, in a lecture before a Piiiladel- 
phia audience, a few years before his death, said this was a question which resolved itself into an 
endless number of unanswerable arguments. So convinced was he that the school and the press 
were of parallel usefulness, he would not advocate the suspension of either in order to test the 
merits of the other. He believed they were identical, both the handiwork of the Great 
Designer. 

To A. Hadley belongs the honor of being the pioneer printer of Watertown. D. W. 
Ballou, Jr., founder of the Watertown Democrat, gives the following interesting account of his 
first nieeting with Mr. Hadley : 

" While setting type at the case in the office of the Niagara Democrat, in Lockport, N. Y., 
in the early part of April, 1846, my attention was arrested by the appearance of a tall, serious- 
looking gentleman, who approached me, and in a very deliberate tone of voice inquired if the 
proprietor was present. I replied by pointing out to him Mr. Orasmus Turner, the editor of 
the paper, who was sitting at a table on the opposite side of the room, and engaged in writing. 
After exchanging the courtesies usual at the meeting of persons wholly unacquainted with each 
other, the stranger, in a manner at once brief and direct, made known his business by remark- 
ing that he had seen an advertisement in the Democrat o^evmg two fonts of type for sale, and, if 
convenient, he would like to see them. His request was immediately complied with, and, after 
a few moments' examination, a bargain was closed, and the two lots of half-worn long primer and 
bourgeois were his. Taking off his coat, and calling for a composing-stick, he went at the work 
of putting his newly bought type in a condition to be safely packed and sent away ; nor did he 
stop, leave the office or allow anything to interrupt him for a moment until near sunset, when 
every letter had been taken care of, the last nail driven, and the boxes plainly and neatly 
marked, 'J. A. Hadley, Watertown, Wisconsin.'" 

Watcrtozvn Clironicle. — The history of this, the first newspaper ever published in Water- 
town, is better told in Mr. Hadley's own language : 

" My first visit to Wisconsin was in the summer of 1846. My object was threefold — first, 
to break away, for a brief season, from the drudgery attendant upon the foremanship of a daily 
morning paper; second, to visit some friends in this (then) Territory, and, third, to find a loca- 
tion for a paper. I returned without accomplishing the latter object. Early in October follow- 
ing, a copy of the Milwaukee Sentinel and Gazette fell into my hands, and, among the adver- 
tisements, I discovered the list of letters remaining in the post office at Watertown on the first 
day of that month. It was a list of goodly proportions, and directed my attention at once to 
this point. I immediately wrote to a friend here (Henry Shears), and expressed a willingness 
to add to the institutions of Watertown a weekly newspaper, provided the enterprise would, in 
his opinion, pay. He replied, and suggested to me that I open a correspondence with certain 
citizens here on the subject. I did so, and the result was, in April, 1847, I left Rochester, N. 
Y., with my family, and materials for a paper. I arrived here early in May. At that time, the 
village contained a population of perhaps 800 souls. It was certainly a rough-looking place, 
surrounded by dense forests, its plat newly cleared, its streets studded with stumps and, just 
then, knee-deep with mud, with not a rod of sidewalk in the town. * * * * I ^gll 
remember my wife's look of blank astonishment when I. commenced unboxing our household 
goods. She thought I was ' perfectly crazy ' to think I could obtain a living at the printing 
business in such a place. 



412 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

* * * * "My press was an old Ramage, a style well enough known to the earlier 
disciples of Faust ; an uncouth wooden structure, requiring two pulls where one suffices on a 
common hand-press ; a slow, muscle-trying machine, that long since gave place to more modern 
inventions ; a relic of the past, and a curiosity to the craft of the present generation. I paid for 
this press $35. 

" My types were all second-hand, and were purchased at the different offices in Rochester 

and Lockport. My job type cost me 10 cents ptfr pound, that being the foundry price for old 

type metal. For some months, I had but two sizes of type for my paper — bourgeois and long 

primer. I paid 16 cents a pound for the former, and 17 for the latter. * * * * j j,mj 

but one font of new type; my cases were new, and for a long time appeared ashamed of their 

contents. * * * * Yov four years, my only imposing-stone was a plank, badly warped by 

the lye, and having an ugly crack near the center. My entire material inventoried at less than 
aiT.'^ ********** 

" When Sam Ryan called upon roe, a few weeks after my first number was issued, he could 
hardly restrain himself from laughing outright at my old traps, and was compelled to whistle, 
when not talking, to prevent himself from doing so. I felt mortified, and cast my eyes occasion- 
ally at my new cases, as much as to say, ' Brother Ryan, perhaps you havn't noticed these.' 
And when Charlie Robinson dropped in some months afterward, I elbowed him out of the office 
as soon as good manners would ])urmit. 

"The first number of the Chronicle was issued June 2-3, 1847. For the first six motiths, 
it was a five-column sheet, the printed matter on each page occupying a space of eleven and one- 
half by eighteen and three-fourths inches. * * * * jj became necessary for me to labor 
hard myself, and I did thus labor, always performing a regular day's work, either at the case or 
at press, and making my selections, writing my editorials and keeping my books when other 
people were asleep. * * * * Jn December, 1847, I purchased of Cramer k Curtis, of the 
Milwaukee Wineonsin, a fifty-dollar font of second-hand minion, spliced the bed and platten of 
my press and enlarged my paper to a six-column sheet. * * * * On the 5th of November, 
1851, having purchased one of Hoe's excellent presses, and added about $100 worth of material 
to the news and jobbing departments, I enlarged to a seven-column sheet ; and, if that was not 
a proud day for me, I have never seen one. 

* * * * " My business proved a paying one. By hard work and close economy. I 
was able, in the course of about four years, to li(juidate all demands against me. But my health 
began to fail in the spring of 1852, and, with the exception of a few months the following fill 
and winter, continued poor, until I disposed of the Chronicle establishment in September, 1853. 
Minor & Skinner were my successors, they paying me $1,500 for the establishment and its good 
will. After that, the paper was subjected to frequent changes of proprietorship. Mr. Minor 
was connected with it about two years. The subsequent proprietors were Culiaton k Rose. Rose 
& Stevens, McBride ifc Stevens, Stevens k Brother and E. B. Quiner. The publication of the 
paper was finally suspended in the fall of 1857, and upon the same materials the Beaver Dam 
Democrat is now printed." 

Mr. Hadley has forgotten to mention the fact that while the Chronicle was in the hands oi 
Messrs. Culiaton k Rose the publication of a daily issue was begun. It made its appearance 
September 2, 1855, and was the first and only ilaily paper ever issued in Watertown. 

Mr. Hadley died September 24, ISCS. 'He was born a- Goifstown, N. H.. May 9. 1800, 
and had been identified with the press for forty years. Under his management, the Chronicle 
became prominent as one of the leading journals in the State. Mr. Hadley wrote for its columns 
the first article that ever appeared in favor of the construction of the Chicago & North-Western 
Railway. In 1850, he Wiis elected Clerk of the Court of Jefferson County. In 1853, he was 
the Whig candidate for Secretary of State ; twice nominated for State Senator ; for several 
years held the office of Police Justice in Watertown ; at one time Sergeantat-arms of the Senate ; 
afterward Printing Clerk in the Secretary of State's office, and finally Assessor of the First Reve- 
nue District. He was a man of untiring industry, and possessed a character above reproach, 



HISTOllY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 413 

Rock River Pilot. — Established in 1847, by George Hyer. Judge William T. Butler soon 
became the proprietor of the Pilot, but it did not long survive. 

Democratic State Register. — A seven-column weekly paper, whose name indicated its poli- 
tics ; established by E. B. Quiner in 1850. " The Register," says Mr. Quiner, "enjoyed a lib- 
eral support in both Dodge and Jefferson Counties, and I continued its publication as a Demo- 
cratic sheet until that party passed under the control of ' Barstow and the balance,' when I 
deemed it my duty, as the conductor of a public press, to refuse to support a portion of its can- 
didates for State offices, * * * * j^j,j declared my independence of party control. Hence- 
forth the Register stood upon independent political ground, and so remained until I sold out my 
establishment, the materials passing into the hands of Chubbuck & Sanborn, who used it in the 
publication of the Central Wisconsin at Warsaw." The Register suspended publication in 
October, 1854. 

The German Press — The Anzeiger. — In the summer of 1853, D. Blumenfeld and John 
Kopp — the one foreman, and the other pressman in the office of the Milwaukee Banner, a Ger- 
man daily and weekly paper — encouraged by prominent German citizens of the then young and 
rising city of Watertown, removed thither, and brought the necessary material with them for 
the publication of a German paper, the Anzeiger, the first number of which was issued Septem- 
ber '21 of that year. It was Democratic in politics. Emil Rotlie, a young lawyer of Water- 
town, with some journalistic experience in the Fatherland, and at that time a contributor for 
some of the leading papers in Berlin, Breslau, etc., was its chief editor. He wrote in a style 
that soon made him favorably known among German publishers all over the United States. 
The initial number of i\\e Anzeiger contained the advertisements and cards of *Joseph Schubert, 
druggist ; J. S. Foote, attorney ; *Thoodore Bernhard, Notary Public ; H. Bertram & Co., 
shoe-dealers ; G. S. Schempf k, Brother, dry goods ; Peterson & Maldaner, dry goods and gen- 
eral merchandise ; *L. J. Fribert, dry goods ; *C. M. Ducusse, tavern keeper (Schweitzer 
House) ; *Ad. Beurhaus, saloon ; L. Stallman, grocery ; John Luber, grocer ; *John Becker, 
grocer ; John Keck, cabinet-maker ; William Buchheit, saloon and insurance ; *Joseph 
Fischer, dentist and land agent ; William T. Butler, County Judge and land agent ; M. B. 
Williams, Postmaster ; William Roeber, boots and shoes ; J. H. Koch, tailor ; Joseph Salick, 
watchmaker; Ambrosius Pernis, watchmaker ; *Martin Hopf, tanner; Chr. Schroeder, car- 
penter ; H. Boegel, Boegel's Hall ; *Jacob Baumann, ball alley ; G. Werlich, Secretary German 
School Association. 

In 1857, Mr. Rothe's editorial contributions becoming irregular, the proprietors accepted 
the offer of Carl Schuiz (now Secretary of the Interior), then a resident of Watertown, to take 
editorial charge of the paper, provided he would conduct it as an independent journal. When 
the first number of the Anzeiger appeared under the new management, its previous politics had 
undergone a wonderful change. It was, in fact, what would now be termed a "Stalwart" 
organ. Mr. Schurz was forthwith deposed, a former theologian, named Engelmann, succeeding 
him. 

Der Weltburger und Anzeiger. — In February, 1858, the Anzeiger was consolidated with 
Dcr Weltburger, a new Democratic German paper established by Erail Rothe in October of the 
previous year. The new journal bore the title of Der Weltburger und Anzeiger, Mr. Rothe 
becoming the responsible editor. In the fall of 1858, the paper suspended, and the old mate- 
rial was sold. 

Der Volkszeitung. — In September, 1857, Carl Schurz, Herman Von Lindermann and C. 
J. Palme established Der Volkszeitung. Mr. Lindermann, who was a literary gentleman, and 
a refugee after the German revolution of 1848, was the chief editor, and Mr. Palme his assist- 
ant. The Viilkszeitung was radically Republican. It suspended soon after the Presidential 
election in 1860. Messrs. Lindermann and Palme, when the war broke out, were appointed to 
positions in the State Quartermaster's department, at Madison. From there they went to St. 
Louis, where Mr. Lindermann was connected with the Westliche Post, which was afterward 



414 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COOfTY. 

under the editorial management of Carl Schurz. From there he went to St. Charles, Mo., and 
€dited a German Republican paper until his death, in 1872. 

Mr. Palme was in the United States Revenue Department in St. Louis ; was afterward 
chief editor of the Milwaukee Herold from 1869 to the summer of 1879, when he received the 
appointment, through his old friend, Carl Schurz, of Superintendent of the Government 
Paper Factory, at East Pepperell, Mass., where he died in September, at the age of si.\tj'-two 
years. 

Der Weltburger. — On the 1st day of January. 1859, new material having been purchased 
by Mr. Blumenfeld, the first number of Der Watertoicn Weltburger (new series) was issued, 
with Mr. Emil Rothe as chief editor. Mr. Rothe having retired in 1862. Mr. Blumenfeld 
assumed entire charge of Der Weltburger, which he has maintained to the present time, making 
it one of the best German weeklies in the Northwest. 

In 1864, Mr. Blumenfeld published a monthly literary magazine called the Westliche 
Monats-Schrift. A full volume of it appeared. 2.200 copies of it being printed, of which 1.100 
copies were sold in Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota, 100 in San Francisco, and 1,000 in 
St. Louis. The Gemeindeblatt, published by the German Lutheran Synod of Wisconsin and 
other States (first issued monthly, and afterward semi-monthly), was also printed, from the time 
of its beginning until it was removed to Milwaukee (over five years), in the ofiice of Der Welt- 
burger. 

In 1869, Mr. Rothe accepted the position of editor of the Cincinnati Volksfreund. Der 
Weltburger is an eight-column paper, published every Saturday, accompanied regularly by a 
supplement. 

The Watertoivn Democrat. — The first number of this paper was issued on the 18th of Octo- 
ber, 1854, by D. W. Ballou, Jr., and it has been regularly published ever since, "'without the 
failure of a week or any apology for a half-sheet." Mr. Ballou's first editorial experience was 
in 1846. on the Niagara Democrat, a weekly journal published in the village of Lockport. N. 
Y. He came to Wisconsin in 1852, and. in the autumn of the following year, became associate 
editor of the Green Bay Advocate, which position he held for about one year, when he came to 
Watertown and established the Democrat. Mr. Ballou was a powerful and fearless writer, a 
scholar and a gentleman, and, perhaps, did more than any one who lived in his time to promote 
the interests of Watertown and imbue its citizens with the spirit of enterprise which has resulted 
in the building-up of one of the prettiest cities in the great Northwest. His journal was Demo- 
cratic both in politics and principles. June 28, 1860, the Democrat hoisted its colors as fol- 
lows : " For President, Stephen A. Douglas and Herschel V. Johnson." and, at the solicitation 
of Mr. Ballou and others, Mr. Doughis. on the 12th of Otober, 1860, made a political speech in 
Watertown. We have the authority of the Democrat, also, to the effect that Matt Carpenter 
made a ringing Bourbon speech in Watertown about the same time. This is of interest as 
showing that great men sometimes change their political opinions. 

But the most remarkable feature of the Democrat was its true Jacksonian utterances. A 
firm supporter of James Buchanan, it did not hesitate to censure in the strongest terms the 
unfortunate course pureued by him toward the close of his administration. In its issue of Feb- 
ruary 14, 1861. we find the following outspoken article: 

'•It is strange talk for Democrats, but there are a few of those who voted for James 
Buchanan wlio count with eager delight the days that lessen the term of his ofiice. The present 
administration will be recorded in the pages of history as the weakest and worst that has ever 
been placed at the head of national affairs." 

When the nation was upon the eve of being plunged into a cruel war, the editor of the 
Democrat paid his compliments to the fire-eaters of both North and South. In noticing Presi- 
dent Lincoln's memorable journey to Washington to take his seat, he said: 

•' To the last degree it is humiliating to believe that a President-elect is compelled to go to 
the capital of the nation in disguise. * * * Mr. Lincoln cannot and will not fall unavenged. 
* * * Wo to the hand, the party, the section that strikes the blow." 





PUBLISHER WATEFTOWN WELTBURGER 



CITBURGER " y^ 



i 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 417 

Later, when the brave Anderson was defending the flag of the Union against rebel hosts, 
and the news of his imminent peril was flashed over the wires, we find the following patriotic 
sentiments in the Democrat : 

* * * * " This state of things cannot last long, but that will be a day of humiliation 
when the Stars and Stripes give place to so insulting and ignoble an emblem as the serpent- 
twined palmetto." 

The fall of Sumter was announced in an article concluding with a vigorous warning to 
Northern sympathizers with Southern secession. 

The Democrat mourned the fate of the martyred Lincoln with turned column-rules, and an 
eulogy as touching and sympathetic, as the following concerning his assassin is earnest and bitter : 

" The rotten carcass of the brutal murderer. Booth, has been hid away from the knowledge 
and sight of mankind. Now let him be forgotten. He was only a common, vulgar villain, and 
it is only the eminence of his victim that will give his fiendish act a place in history." 

Mr. Ballou was severely punished for his strong Union sentiments, by a marked decrease 
in patronage, but he lived long enough to convince most of his opponents that he was right in 
the bold stand he had taken in defense of free institutions. He died in July, 1876, in the fifty- 
second year of his age, leaving a wife, who still resides in Watertown. He was a thorough 
journalist, and for a long time a prominent member of the Wisconsin Editorial Association. Mr. 
Ballou was a native of Richmond, Vt. 

The Democrat was purchased July 24, 1876, by Thomas E. Jones and James McHugh, 
both of whom had for some time been connected with the oflSce, the former in the capacity of 
associate editor, and the latter as foreman of the mechanical department. In March, 1877, Mr. 
Jones bought Mr. McHugh's interest, and thenceforward became the sole proprietor and editor 
of the Democrat. He is a young man of ability and his articles have the true journalistic ring, 
while the local news and general management of the paper indicate the presence of a veteran 
publisher. The Democrat is in politics everything its name indicates. 

Watertown City Times. — This was the title of a weekly paper which laid claim to public 
patronage in 1855, its first issue bearing date of March 22, of that year. George Hyer was the 
editor, and William T. Butler & Co., the proprietors. The Times' had a precarious and check- 
ered career, and it ceased to exist in September of the same year that witnessed its birth. 

The Representative was the name of a Republican journal issued by M. Cullaton, in the 
fall of 1857. It was a sort of campaign sheet, and did not live to serve any other purpose. Feb- 
ruary, 1858, was the date of its death. 

The Independent. — Published semi-occasionally in the spring of 1858. It was noticed by its 
cotemporaries as being " a sprightly little sheet." It was very personal in character, and a per- 
petual source of annoyance to vulnerable individuals. It died unhonored, but not unknown. 

Watertown Transcript — Another journalistic venture, under the authorship of M. Cullaton. 
Issued January 5, 1859 ; suspended March 16, same year. It was an able and interesting 
journal. The Democrat commenting upon its suspension, said : " The Watertown Transcript 
is no more. Cullaton lost money. He has gone to Waukesha to publish the Freeman. Since 
we begun the publication of this journal, we have witnessed the extinction of the Chronicle, the 
State Register, the Home Circle (a small temperance sheet), the City Times, the Representative 
and the Transcript, four of the six being Republican in politics." 

Watertown Republican. — Established June 15, 1860, by J. W. Lawton, who published it, 
with JustusT. Moak as editor, until February, 1862, when it passed to the hands of D. T. Lindley. J. 
E. Atwater had editorial charge during the proprietorship of Mr. Lindley. In April, 1864, Messrs. 
Tompkins & Howland purchased the concern, Mr. Tompkins being the editor, and two years later 
Mr. Howland disposed of his interest to Mr. Tompkins, who a few months later sold to William 
Innis Martin. In February, 1867, Col. Gill, having returned from fighting the battles of his 
country, relinquished his sword for that other mightier instrument, the pen. He bought the 
Republican, but was not generally known as its manager, although furnishing the editorial pabu- 
lum. In August, 1868, the Colonel stepped down from the tripod. Julius H. Keyes became 



418 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

the proprietor. Almost simultaneous with this transfer, E. D. Coe purchased a partner- 
ship with Mr. Keyes, which lasted fourteen months, at the end of which time Mr. Coe retired, 
leaving Mr. Keyes in full possession, which he has continued to hold to the present time. Mr. 
William L. Norris has for several years been associate editor of the Republican. During the 
proprietorship of Keyes & Coe, the Republican was enlarged from a six to a seven column 
paper. May 26, 186U, the size was increased by the addition of an eighth column, and on May 
21, 1873, the form was changed to that of a six-column quarto (eight pages), its present size. 
On the morning of July 27, 1879, the ofBce of the Republican was badly damaged by fire and 
water, the body-type on which the paper was printed being entirely destroyed. Not an issue 
of the paper was missed, however, on this account. The Republican is the largest paper in 
Jefferson County. Aside from being a first-class newspaper, its editorial columns reflect the 
genius of a master-hand. In politics, it is a stanch supporter of the Administration, and has 
ever been a reliable and trusted friend of the Union, one and inseparable. It is frequently 
referred to by its political opponents as a " Radical " or " Stalwart" organ. 

Harger's Times. — This was the title of the most recent newspaper publication in Water- 
town. It was first issued in March, 1878, by Ashley D. Harger, and suspended the following 
September. It was a Greenback sheet of the most violent character. 

Altogether, the press of Watertown presents a history of deep interest. Few people 
pause to think of the important part taken by the newspapers in every industry; in every phase 
of development, in every step of advancing civilization. The editor gets few thanks, and less 
pay, for his untiring efforts to advance the interests of all those about him — efforts whose 
measure of appreciation has never been known to be filled. 

THE CHURCHES. 

If the people of Watertown are not all good Christians, the fault cannot be attributed to a 
paucity of churches. Since 1843, fifteen houses of worship have been founded, and are now in 
active operation. Their history presents an interesting subject, full of important detail, and if 
the reader could but realize the amount of labor necessary to collect the vast array of names, 
dates, etc., which are included in this single chapter of the history of Jefferson County, any 
oversight or mistake that may be discovered in the entire work would be excusable. 

St. Bernard's {Catliolic) Church. — Among the early settlers in Watertown, there was 
quite an admixture of those professing Catliolicism. Their number was not great enough, how- 
ever, to command the attention of the Bishop having charge of the Northwest, until 1841, when 
Father Martin Kundig paid missionary visits to Watertown. In 1842, a lot of ground having 
previously been donated by the brothers Rogan, the erection of a church edifice was begun. 
The structure was built of wood, and was of small dimensions. It stood upon the site now 
occupied by the imposing cathedral on Main street, on the ^Vest Side. The expense of construc- 
tion was borne from a small contribution fund, and the work, for the most part, was performed 
by members of the congregation, wlio volunteered their services. The first resident Pastor was 
the Rev. Patrick McKernan, who came to the charge in 1846. He remained but a short time, 
being followed by the Rev. John Healy, whose ministry dated from September 20, of the same 
year. Father Healy remained for over eleven years. His successor was the Rev. F. Tierney, 
who came July 15, 1855. He was followed within six months by the Rev. P. Mullor. In 
March, 1856, the Rev. Joseph Smith (now in Waupun) was assigned to the parish. He was 
succeeded by the Rev. John Norris in November, 1862. Mr. Norris, it will be remembered, 
was a man of considerable distinction as a lecturer. In 1866, he went to Ireland, to reco\'er his 
shattered health. The Rev. William Mahone occupied the pulpit in the absence of Mr. Norris, 
who. returning very little improved, died in February, 1869. The Rev. Patrick Pettit was the 
next Pastor in charge. He remained about three years, and was followed by the Rev. Peter Paul 
Cooney. In August, 1872, Mr. Cooney was succeeded by the Rev. Father Corby, then Pres- 
ident of Notre Dame, Ind. During his pastorate, the old frame church was torn away, and, in 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 419 

1873, the present brick structure was commenced. The corner-stone is from the rock of Cashell, 
Ireland. Tiie building is 160^x76 feet, while the spire reaches 197 feet from the ground. In 
1875, the Rev. Patrick Colovin was assigned to the parish as assistant to Father Corby, and, 
in 1877, when the latter was sent to other parts, Mr. Colovin became the Pastor, and has 
remained in charge to the present time. The congregation shows a wonderful increase, there 
being now over one thousand five hundred communicants, large and small. The church building 
cost $100,000, on which there is still a debt of $20,000. 

Methodist Ephcopal Church. — In 1844, there being a large number of Protestants of the 
various denominations in Watertown, it was agreed that a church edifice should be built for the 
convenience of all concerned. The Rev. John Jones was the first resident Pastor called to the 
charge. Services were first held in a building which stood somewhere in the vicinity of what is 
now South Eighth street. The Methodists evidently predominated at these meetings, as an 
organization was soon effected under the title of the " Methodist Episcopal Church Society of 
Watertown." At a meeting of the Trustees, Walter Andrews, Heber Smith, Cheney Adams 
and Albert Cook, held in January, 1845, the following resolution was adopted : 

Resolved, That the s<aid Trustees shall commence the erection of a meeting-house, the size of which shall be 
40x^30, ami 17 feet high ; that said bouse be built with a belfry ami singers' gallery; that the said site shill be on the 
east side of Kock River (descriptive in the town plat, Lot 3, Block 7). 

The church was built by the members of the society. Cole, Bailey k Co. donated the 
land and furnished most of the lumber. Members of all the Protestant denominations sub- 
scribed. There being no record of the meetings prior to 1845, it is impossible to give a correct 
list of the Pastors who presided before that time. The Rev. G. W. Miller, of Milwaukee, is 
believed to have succeeded Mr. Jones. The Rev. Jabez Brooks, an English minister, came 
next. He entered serious objection to the use of the pulpit in which he presided by other shep- 
herds of the Lord. The Congregationalists, Presbyterians, etc., were informed by the reverend 
gentleman that they could no longer worship beneath that roof; that they must seek their Savior 
in other quarters. This undue and seemingly unnatural proscription riled the adherents of the 
other faiths, and Mr. Brooks was remonstrated with by a certain Congregationalist, deputized 
for that purpose. 

" Show the papers toyour claim for any privileges here," said Mr. Brooks. 

"We have no writings to that eff'ect," said the Congregationalist, "but we can prove that 
we helped to build the church, and therefore should be allowed to use it." 

" Who can you prove it by V 

" By Heber Smith." 

"He's not a Methodist, and therefore I cannot believe him." 

"Then by John VV. Cole." 

"Pooh ! He don't, nor never did, belong to any Church; his testimony would be utterly 
incompetent." 

The point was yielded to the arrogant divine, and control of the church passed to the 
Methodists. 

Mr. Brooks was succeeded by the Revs. William Willard. Thomas B. Brown, A. B. Ran- 
dall and I. H. Delamatyr. 

The next authentic data we have concerning this Church is in 1858, when the Rev. A. C. 
Huntley was Pastor. Mr. Huntley was succeeded, in 1860, by the Rev. N. J. Aplin. The 
following ministers have presided since that time: The Rev. D. 0. Jones, the Rev. H. Cole- 
man, the Rev. J. Searles, the Rev. E. S. Grumley, the Rev. F. F. Allen, the Rev. William J. 
Wilson, the Rev. George S. Hubbs, the Rev. A. H. Walker, the Rev. A. Moore, the Rev. E. 
B. Cummings, the Rev. William H. Window, the Rev. E. A. Wanless, the Rev. F. C. Had- 
dock, and the Rev. S. P. Murch, the latter being the present incumbent. Seven years ago, 
the old frame building was raised, a brick foundation placed beneath it, and brick wtills built 
around it. An imposing spire now surmounts the structure, and a comfortable parsonage, 
adjoining the church building in the rear, completes the outfit, the property being valued at 



420 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

about $7,000, free of incumbrance. Present Board of Trustees — J. Q. Hull, H. Flinn, J. 
Yokes, A. R. Moore, George Ni.xon, A. K. M. Pickert and M. Ambrose. Stewards — Messrs. 
Hull, Nixon, Pickert, Flinn, Ambrose, Jonas Stahl, A. Ramsey, Mrs. H. Giles and Mrs. S. 
Yokes. 

First Congregational Church of Watertown. — Organized by the Rev. Stephen Peet, agent 
of the Home Missionary Society, July 13, 1845. The first meeting was held in the only 
schoolhouse up to that time in what are now the limits of Watertown. The Society was com- 
posed chiefly of Presbyterians, but an organization was effected in accordance with the Congre- 
gational faith. The first communicants were George Breckenridge, William Dunlavy, O. K. 
Coe, Nancy Breckenridge, Jane A. Dunlavy, Mary J. Scott, Paulina S. Coe, Maria Shears and 
Harriet Montgomery. The first Pastor of the congregation was the Rev. B. F. Parsons. Dur- 
ing his pastorate, services were held in Cramer's Block. He was followed, successively, by the 
Rev. J. G. Craighead, the Rev. N. C. Chapin, the Rev. W. A. Niles, the Rev. Charles Boyn- 
ton, the Rev. W. H. Ryder, the Rev. Charles C. Cragin and the Rev. W. A. Hendrickson, 
the latter being the present incumbent. 

The pi-esent Deacons of the Church are J. K. Porter, John Hardee, N. A. Carpenter and 
W. D. Parker. Executive Committee — C. B. Skinner, N. A. Carpenter and Dr. W. F. Whyte, 
Clerk. Board of Trustees of the society — J. T. Moak, President, C. B. Skinner, George B. 
Lewis, J. W. Mentink, Jesse Stone, Daniel Hall and Joseph Hamlin. A church edifice was 
erected bv the society in 1850, near the public square, on the East Side, at a cost of §1,500. 
It has twice since been enlarged : the first time in 1858, and the second in 1872. A. W. Eas- 
terday is the Sunday-school Superintendent. 

St. Paul's (Episcopal) Church. — For some time prior to 1847, the Rev. Melancthon Hoyt, 
of Fox Lake, in Dodge County, came to Watertown, in the capacity of a missionary, walking 
the entire distance (thirty miles), to preach the Gospel to the very small number of Episcopa- 
lians then residing in Watertown. During that year, an organization was efi^ected, with Law- 
rence J. Fribert and William M. Grange as Wardens, and Daniel Jones, James A. Norris, Rob- 
ert Clifford, David J. Pulling and H. Besley as Yestrymen. The Rev. ^Ir. Hoyt first held 
services in schoolhouses, and afterward in a building, formerly a bowling-alley, which stood upon 
the present site of Cole's Block. In 1849, a small church wa.s built on Third street, at a cash 
outlay of $500 or $600, most of the material and labor being donated. The present church 
edifice, on the corner of Second and Spring streets, was built in 1860. It is a neat and sub- 
stantial brick structure, and cost about $6,000. There are at present about sixty communicants 
in the parish. The highest number of communicants on the record at any one time was one 
hundred and sixty-three. Between 1856 and 1870, the society was in a most flourishing con- 
dition. The Rectors since the time of Mr. Hoyt were the Rev. C. C. Edmunds, the Rev. L. 
W. Russ, the Rev. William C. Greene, the Rev. W. Dafter, the Rev. Dr. Boyd and the 
Rev. S. K. Miller. Mr. Miller resigned last April, and the society has been without a Rector 
since that time. The present officers of the parish are Daniel Jones and W. H. Clark, War- 
dens, and Theodore Prentiss, Amos Baum, J. B. Bennett, H. S. Howell, William L. Norris, 
J. J. Moulding and George P. Mathes, Yestrymen. Mr. Jones, one of the original Vestrymen, 
became Senior Warden in 1853, and has continued as such ever since. He was elected a dele- 
gate of the Diocesan Convention the same year, and holds that ofiice to the present time by 
re-election. 

St. Henry s (Catholic) Church. — In 1847, a priest named Gardner came to Watertown, at 
the solicitation of a few German families professing the Catholic faith, in the capacity of a mis- 
sionary, and said mass in a small frame house near the site of the society's present place of 
worship. Father Gardner remained about two years, during which time he built and occupied 
as a residence and parochial school a small frame, forming an " L" of the church. In 1849, he 
was followed by the Rev. Father Heider, of Jefl'erson, also in the capacity of a missionary. The 
Rev. Conrad Beck was the first resident Pastor. He remained two years, being succeeded by 
the Rev. Franz Uhlemeyer, whose ministry extended over a period of five years ; then came 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 421 

the Rev. George Strickner, one year ; the Rev. Michael Bitter, eight months ; the Rev. Max 
De Becke, two years; the Rev. P. Fabian Bermandingcr, one and a half years; the Rev. W. 
Bernard, one and a half years ; the Rev. F. X. Minderer, one and a half years. Father 
'Minderer died in Watertown. He was followed by the Rev. F. X. Etschman, who remained 
nine years, being succeeded by the Rev. George Strickner, the present incumbent, who took 
charge July, 1878. During the ministry of the Rev. Father Max De Becke (in 1863), the 
present church edifice was constructed. It is of brick, and cost between $9,000 and $10,000. 
The communicants number, at present, between fourteen hundred and' fifteen hundred, or about 
three hundred families. 

Grer7)ian Protestant {Evangelical) Church. — This society was organized in 1848. Among 
the first communicants were Peter Rose, William Roeber, Peter Seaburg, George Meyer and 
Zacharias Theurind. Services were first held by a Milwatikee minister, whose name is not 
remembered, in Buena Vista House, on Fourth street. The first regular Pastor was the Rev. 
Frederick Reutsch, who came to preside over the meager flock in 1850. The same year, a 
small frame church edifice was erected on Fourth street, near Main, which served the purposes 
of the congregation until 1866, when the present place of worship was built upon the same site, 
at a cost of $4,000. The membership at that time was about twenty-five families ; it is now 
estimated at sixty families. The society is out of debt. Since the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. 
Reusch, the following ministers have been called to the charge : The Rev. Henry Doerner, the 
Rev. Mr. Joeris, the Rev. Mr. Rettig, the Rev. H. C. Tack, the Rev. John Boesch, the Rev. 
Gustavus Kuns, the Rev. Mr. Sylla and the Rev. Edward Knaak, the present incumbent. 

German Methodist Episcopal Church. — The congregation which worships in this church 
is known as the German Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was organized in- 
1849. The first Board of Trustees was composed of the following persons : Walter Andrews, 
Adam Eger, Calvin M. Benton, John Knape and Louis Fischer. The first place of worship 
was the Buena Vista House. Afterward, a small store on Main street, near Fourth, where Mr. 
Mailer's cigar store now stands, was used for the purpose of holding services. In 1869, the 
present church edifice was constructed, at a cost of $5. .500, including the parsonage. It is n 
substantial brick building, located on North Fifth street. The names of the various Pastors- 
who have filled the pulpit of this church, and the years they came in, are : Revs. A. Kellner, 
1849 ; William Fiegenbaum, 1850 ; Philip Borth, 1851 ; Ch. Wenz, 1852 ; Conrad Bernard, 
1853; Louis Kunz, 1854 ; Frederick Mertin, 1855 ; Robert Hinners, 1857 ; William Pfoefller, 
1858; H. Lenn, 1860; Chr. Loeber, 1862; C. Klenekhahn, 1863; E. R. Inmaker, 1865; 
Ch. Wenz, 1866; Peter Schaefer, 1868; H. Wegner, 1868 ; I. Bletsch, 1871; C. Hedler, 
1874 ; F. Gottschalk, 1876. Mr. Gottschalk is still the presiding Pastor. The parish formerly 
embraced what now constitutes three circuits with three ministers — Watertown, with 147 mem- 
bers ; Lowell, with 104, and another, with 113. The congregation now numbers about three 
hundred and fifty. The present Board of Trustees is composed of the following gentlemen : Ive 
Waugemann, D. Heimscher, C. Roth, H. Heismann, Leopold Schmuzler, Ferd. Volckmann and 
L. Fischer. 

Moravian Church. — While the history of this creed does not belong strictly to a history of 
Jefferson County, and while it may already be familiar to many, a brief sketch of the trials 
attending its progress cannot be otherwise than interesting. The faith is similar to — in fact, it 
may be called that of Martin Luther — the " Unaltered Augsburg Confession." Over one 
hundred years before the time of Luther, John Huss first preached the Protestant doctrine in 
Bohemia. History tells us that Huss was burned at the stake as a heretic by the Romanists. 
His followers contended for the perpetuation of their belief amid many scenes of blood, and the 
struggle finally culminated in what is known as the Hussite war. The Catholics, being very 
powerful, succeeded in dividing the followers of the martyred Huss, and arraying each of the 
divided factions against the other. A very cruel civil strife then followed, which lasted for 
many years, until about 1457, when the more peaceable and intelligent of the two factions united 
and their barbarities ceased. By the year 1500, they had over two hundred churches, with :v 



422 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

membership of 100.000 in Bohemia. Upon the advent of Martin Luther, the Hussites bore 
him friendly congratulations, though they continued to maintain their Church as a separate 
institution. In the "Thirty Years' War," the Bohemians refused to fight, and the Protestants 
and their churches were destroyed. In the sixteenth century, a few of those who were left 
emigrated to Poland, Holland, etc. Some remained and worshiped in secret, but in 1722 they 
also emigrated, Koing to Saxony. There, in 1727, the '* Renewed Moravian Church " uas 
formed and Lutheranism, the prevailing religion, acknowledged. 

The reader will now return with us to more civilizing scenes. In May. 18.")3, five hundred 
years since the time of John Huss, twelve families of Moravians resided in Watertown and 
vicinity. The Rev. John George Kaltenbrunn preached to them until September, 1854, when 
a congregation, with seven familes in the city, was organized. The first services were held at 
the residence of one of the members, and soon afterward a small brick church was constructed 
on Cole street, near Sixth, where the congregation met for worship until 1864, when their pres- 
ent church edifice at the corner of Cole and Sixth streets was erected, at a cost of ^3,000. The 
Pastors who have preached to this congregation, since Rev. Mr. Kaltenbrunn, are the Revs. J. | 
E. Wuensche, J. C. Israel, Gustavus Feurig, J. J. Detterer and Jacob Hoyler, the latter being 
now in charge. There are 200 communicant members at present, and the society is out of debt. 

German [Evangelicnl) Lutheran Cliuroh. — In 18')4, the Rev. Christian Sans came to 
Watertown to succor the spiritual wants of a goodly congregation of Lutherans of the "Unal- 
tered Augsburg Confession," belonging to the " Synod of Wisconsin and other States." Soon 
after his arrival in Watertown, Mr. Sans returned to Europe on a visit. While there, he raised 
quite a sum of money to aid in the construction of a house of worship in Watertown and return- 
ing in 1855, a large brick church was erected on Jones street near Sixth, costing something like 
$9,000. Mr. Sans was followed successively by the Revs. John Boding, R. Adelberg, A. Hein- 
richs and John II. Brockmann, the latter being the present Pastor. He came in 1875, and under 
his pastorate the congregation has continued to increase, until it is now the largest in Watertown. 
There are about three hundred families, or over one thousand six hundred persons members of 
the society. The society is entirely out of debt. Among the early founders of this Church 
still alive may be mentioned the following : Henry Bertram, Ludwig Eckhoff, Frederick Hart, 
Carl Marquart, William Frederick Kurtz weg, George Meyer, August Gamra and Daniel Kuscl. 
The present Trustees are Frank Schleuter, 0. L. Schroeter, A. Zickert, A. Alwardt, Edward 
Jansen, John Hoge, Geoi'ge Gamm, A. Gevers and Ludwig EckhoS'. 

German Baptist Cliurvh. — The doctrine of John the Baptist is represented in Watertown by 
a congregation of Germans, numbering 105, who worship in a church edifice on County Line 
street, near Second, erected in 1875. The society was organized in Watertown in 1854, as a 
branch or dependence of a similar organization in the town of Lebanon, county of Dodge. The 
Rev. Edward Grimm was the founder of the society in Lebanon, and was the first Baptist 
minister to preach in Watertown. The first Deacons of the Watertown society were William D. 
Goetsch and William Jaeger. The presiding Pastors since the time of the Rev. Mr. Grimm, have 
been the Rev. Rudolph Ilaab, the Rev. William Paul, the Rev. Henry Nogel and the Rev. John 
Miller. Services were held in the schoolhouses and halls until the erection of the present place 
of worship in 1875. The present Deacons are the same as above mentioned. The Trustees are 
W. F. G' etsch. Charles Goetsch and Gotfried Robinhorst. The society is free of debt. 

German Adventists. — A society of this denomination, composed of residents of Water- 
town and vicinity, was organized in 1874. A church edifice was built at the corner of 
Eighth and East Washington streets, costing about §1,400. Wm. Burrund, Frederick Hartke 
and Reinhart Kleck were chosen as the Deacons and Trustees of the society, and still continue 
to hold those positions. Theoilore Schmidt was the first Pastor; Peter Schneider is the present. 

German Lutheran {St. John's) Church. — This society was organized in Watertown in 1855. 
The faith is the " Unaltered Augsburg Confession," and the society belongs to the " Synod of 
Missouri, Ohio and other States." The Rev. Louis Geyer, who lived about seven miles north- 
east of Watertown, visited the place in the capacity of missionary for a short time. The Rev. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 423 

H. Wagner was the first resident minister called to the charge. He came in the fall of 1855, 
and remained till 1859. During his incumbency, services were held in a small frame building 
situated in what is now the Sixth Ward. The Rev. C. Strasen followed Mr. Wagner, in 1859, 
and has been Pastor of the congregation ever since. He continued to occupv the "little church 
in the Sixth," until June, 1865, when the new church was built. It is a brick structure, and 
cost about $15,000. The congregation at present consists of 1,405 souls. There are 316 male 
members over twenty-one years of age. About one-half the congregation lives in the country 
within a radius of eight miles of Watertown. The church is out of debt. 

Cahinistic Afethodists. — Society organized and church built on North Washington .street 
in 1855. Calvinism took root in Watertown as early as 1847, when William Williams, of 
Waukesha, came here and preached to a small number of persons endowed with a belief in "par- 
ticular election and justification by free grace," whatever that may be. Services were held for 
several years in the house of Richard Jones^ In 1850, Owen Hughes succeeded the itinerant 
Williams, and, in 1855, tlie date of the society's organization, the Rev. William Roberts was 
ordained its first Pastor. The first officers of the society were Richard Jones and John Jones, 
Deacons, and David Rickett, Elias Williams and Richard Jones, Trustees. The successors of 
the Rev. Mr. Roberts were the Rev. Richard Griffith, the Rev. Thomas R. Jones, the Rev. 
Thomas H. Jones and the Rev. William M. Jones, the latter being the present incumbent. The 
present officers of the society are Richard Jones and John Jones, Deacons, and D. K. Jones, 
John Jones and Richard Jones, Trustees. The society has between twenty-five and thirty mem- 
bers, and is free of debt. 

Evangelical Reform Church. — Society organized July 14, 1861, under the Synod of the 
Northwest. The first Trustees were William Herbst, G. Lohmann, John Kohmetz and Fred 
Eggert. The first Pastor was the Rev. P. Joeres ; the second. Rev. L. Prackshates ; third. 
Rev. J. Gruenegen ; fourth, Rev. Mr. Poerner ; fifth and present, Rev. H. H. Meyer. The 
Reform denomination belongs to the original Scotch Presbyterian creed. Its followers are very 
numerous in Pennsylvania, Maine, Ohio and Northern Wisconsin. The doctrine was first 
preached in America about one hundred and fifty years ago. The Northwestern Synod has a 
Theological College near Sheboygan, in this State, whence a large class of students graduate 
annually. The present Trustees of the Watertown society are William Herbst, Hermann Harte, 
A. Dittes, H. Holste, J. Kopfer and C. Dippel. A church edifice and a pastorate were erected 
in the Second Ward, in 1861, at a cost of $1,370. The society is composed of about forty 
families, and is out of debt. 

Immanuel Lutheran Church. — Society organized and church edifice erected in 1876. 
The first Pastor was the Rev. R. Vogel ; the second, the Rev. C. Mehrtens ; the present Pastor 
is the Rev. H. Hoerig. The society belongs to the Iowa Synod, and is composed of about fifty 
families. The church building is located in the eastern portion of the city, and cost about 
$2,0i)0 ; connected with it is a parochial school, attended in the summer by from twelve to 
fifteen scholars, and in the winter by about thirty. 

As a matter of history, brief mention must be made of a church organization eftected in 
Watertown about twelve years ago, by Griffith Evan, a Welshman, who was expelled from the 
Calvinistic fold in his native country, for conduct unbecoming a minister of the Gospel, viz., 
abandoning his children, the issue of two wives in Wales, whom he buried there. He came to 
Wisconsin and led a small flock in the towns of Emmet and Ixonia, where he saw the sod grow 
green over the grave of a third spouse. Coming to Watertown, he brought with him an inno- 
cent young girl as housekeeper, whom he afterward married under circumstances which resulted 
in his expulsion as Pastor of a small congregation, for the forgiveness of whose sins he prayed 
from the pulpit of the little church on South Second street. The Rev. Mr. Evan has not yet, 
it is believed, taken the lecture field. 

Watertown Bible Society. — Organized, January, 1848, by the election of the following 
officers: Heber Smith, President; Rev. Melancthon Hoy t. Vice President; George W. Brecken- 
ridge, Treasurer ; William Dutcher, Secretary. Sub-agents — Mollis Andrews, Andrew Swap, 



424 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Ine. Cowin, Rowland Blackmer, GriflBth Griffith, William Dunlavy, Asa Rogers, A. Mead, C. 
Adams, E. Higgins, 0. Bennett, C. Forbes, Mrs. Reed, Miss Gemmy, Dr. Breckenridge, Mrs. 
White and Mrs. Montjoy. The purposes of the Society, as set forth in their constitution, are 
'• the promotion of the circulation of the Scriptures without note or comments." Article II 
reads : " This Society shall be auxiliary to the Jefferson County Bible Society, and after supply- 
ing the destitute within its own limits, shall pay over its surplus funds to that Society to aid in 
supplying the destitute of other places." The report of the Treasurer for 1870 showed the 
value of books on hand to be §142; value of books sold during the year, $84.20; donated, 
$3.85 ; cash on hand, at the close of the year, $79.48 ; received from collections and donations, 
§33.21 ; paid American Bible Society for books, $130.66 ; as donation, $20. The present 
officers of the Society are : C. B. Skinner, President : Charles Roth. Vice President ; Conrad 
Dippel, Secretary and Treasurer. E-xecutive Committee, Dr. W. T. Whyte, G. W. Eberle, 
William Herbst, Sr., A. K. M. Pickert, Hermann Heismann, Prof. A. W. Easterday and D. 
K. Jones. The Society's Depository is at F. Babenath's bookstore. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

The perpetual hum of machinery along the banks of Rock River tells the story, and the 
heavily laden freight cars which leave daily for the East and South reveal the secret of the 
growth and prosperity of Watertown. 

A jaunt through the various mills and manufactories in Watertown cannot fail to impress 
one with the important part they take in the history of the city. Let us mentally mingle with 
the wheels and saws. 

Empire and Brick Flo wring- Mills. — The history of this property presents an interesting 
study for the chronographer, and, as a matter of record, must prove valuable to the almost num- 
berless individuals who have been interested in it or identified with its growth. It was first 
known as the ''old yellow mill," which was built by Luther A. Cole and Edmund S. Bailey 
in 1842, on the east side of the river. In 1843, the firm took in as partners Ebenezer Cole, 
now deceased, and Linus R. Cady. The next change in the management was the leasing of 
the entire property by Mr. Bailey and Ebenezer Cole. It continued under this regime for 
several years, until after the building of the " big brick mill," in 1848, by the two latter gentle- 
men. 

In 1852, Luther Cole purchased his brother's interest in the "old yellow mill," while Mr. 
Bailey's share was purchased by Mr. Cady. In 1854, Messrs. Cole & Cady sold the prop- 
erty to H. W. Blanchard, for $26,000. Mr. Blanchard remained in possession of the property 
until his death, and, in 1871, Fred Miller and J. H. Sleeper bought it of the Blanchard estate. 
Philip Quentmeyer became the purchaser of Mr. Sleeper's interest, and the firm is now known 
as F. Miller & Co. 

It is necessary to go back to 1848, the year the Emerald (now the Empire) Mill was built by 
Fay & Cramer, of Milwaukee, on the west side of the river. Various individuals have been con- 
nected with this establishment, including Messrs. Potter and Ford, as lessees, and Enos Salsich, 
who purchased it of Fay & Cramer, and afterward sold it to the Bank of Watertown. George 
Smith and Dr. Hoyt, of Beaver Dam, were the next owners of the property. Mr. Smith subse- 
quently became the sole proprietor, and, during his ownership, the mill was entirely destroyed by 
fire. He rebuilt it, and after running it about a year, financial troubles compelled him to turn it 
over to the First National Bank. Christian May became the purchaser from the Bank, and soon 
afterward 1 1874), a consolidation took place between Miller i Quentmeyer and Mr. May, the three 
mills being operated under one management. Mr. Quentmeyer subsequently sold his interest to 
Weber k Son, for $18,500. The firm is now F. Miller & Co. The extent of the business trans- 
acted is given at $100,000. A large quantity of the productions of these mills is sold in Europe. 
In 1871, twelve men were employed ; now there are thirty. In May last, the storehouse con- 
nected with the mills was destroyed by fire ; loss, $5,000. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 425 

Eclipse Mills. — Located in the Seventh Ward, at the east end of Boomer's dam. For- 
merly a saw-mill, built by Lyman E. Boomer in 1847, in conjunction with the dam, a charter 
for which was granted January 23 of that year, to John Richards, D. W. Kellogg arid L. E. 
Boomer. Several years afterward, Mr. Boomer sold out to James Hill and William S. Taylor, 
who, on the 9th of March, 1868, disposed of the property to A. Notebohm. In October of 
the same year, Fred Misegades became the purchaser. He converted the saw-mill into a flour- 
ing-mill, and on October 11, 1872, sold to Benjamin Nute, Sr., who rebuilt the dam and remod- 
eled the mill. In October, 1875, the property was rented to George F. Schempf & Son, and 
in April, 1878, Mr. Nute having died December 1, 1877, it reverted to Benjamin Nute, Jr., 
and Dwight B. Nute, who still control it, under the firm name of B. & D. B. Nute. 

Bennett's Thrashing Machine Factory. — Established in 1855 by F. E. Shandrew, who 
failed during the crash of 1857. The institution then passed to the hands of J. Hall, who 
soon afterward sold to Taylor & Hill. In 1868, the firm changed to Taylor & Johnson, and in 
July, 1869, it became Johnson & Smith. In December of the same year, J. B. Bennett sirc- 
ceeded Mr. Johnson, the firm being known as Smith & Bennett until July, 1873, when Mr. 
Bennett became the sole proprietor. The works have been developed to three times their capac- 
ity of ten years ago. July 4, 1873, the roof of the establishment was blown off, one of the 
massive brick walls caving in at the same time. In July. 1879, the institution was almost totally 
destroyed by fire; loss, $10,000; insurance, $3,400. The work of repairing is now going on. 
It is one of the leading manufacturing establishments in Watertown. The '' Watertown Separa- 
tor " is in general use throughout the State. The mounted horse-power and the portable steam 
engine are among the implements manufactured at this establishment. 

Watertoivn Woolen Mills. — Established in 1844 by Simeon Ford. It is supposed to be 
the oldest institution of the kind in the State. About 1858, Daniel Jones became interested in 
the concern, and until recently was known as its sole owner. In the spring of 1877, D. P. 
Price leased the factory of Mr. Jones, and, in September of the present year, purchased it out- 
right. Owing to the inconvenience arising from a scarcity of water in Rock River during the 
summer months, Mr. Pierce has recently put a 25-horse-power engine, together with a 
considerable amount of new machinery, into the factory. Cassimeres, flannels and yarns are 
the chief productions of these looms. The factory has a capacity of 150 to 200 yards a day of 
this kind of material, and requires from twenty to twenty-five operatives to run it to its fullest 
extent. 

Steam Bakery and Confectionery. — In 1865, M. J. & G. S. Woodard established a steam 
bakery and confectionery in Watertown, constructing a handsome brick building for that purpose 
on Water street. The original capital employed was $1,500. In 1868, S. S. Woodard was 
added to the firm, and a year later it became Woodard Bros, k Stone. In 1871, further 
changes in the management were made, Mr. S. S. Woodard retiring. The style of the firm 
then became Woodard k Stone, and has remained as such to the present time. The amount of 
capital invested now is placed at $60,000. During the past year, $145,000 worth of business 
was transacted. About forty different kinds of crackers are manufactured at this establishment, 
together with a full line of confectionery. The trade extends throughout Wisconsin, Iowa and 
Michigan. On the 28th of January last, a fire occurred in the factory, resulting in damages to 
the extent of $2,500. 

Pipe Organ Manufactory. — Established in 1873 by E. C. Gaebler, one of whose instru- 
ments is now in use in one of the Lutheran Churches of Watertown. It is twenty feet long, 
fifteen feet wide and twelve feet deep ; contains twenty-eight stops, two banks of keys, one set 
of pedals, and over fourteen hundred pipes from sixteen feet to three-fourths of an inch in 
length. Similar instruments sell in New York for $5,000. Mr. Gaebler manfactures them for 
half that sum. Mr. Gaebler made melodeons in Watertown twenty years ago, but now finds 
himself unable to compete with machinery in this line. 

Soap Factory. — In 1855, Meyer & Pfundheller established a soap and candle factory on 
the east side of the river, near the county line. In 1856, it passed to the hands of Dinijes & 



426 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COlNTr. 

Co., who, in 1858, sold to G. Werlich & Co. The hitter firm was succeeded in 1860 by G. 
Eberle & Co., who carried on the institution until 1873, when Philip Schmidt became the pro- 
prietor, and has remained as such to the present time. The factory has a capacity of 25,000 
pounds of soap and candles per week. Twenty kinds of toilet soap and eight of laundry are 
now manufactured. Mr. Schmidt makes a specialty of castile and cocoa-nut oil soaps, which are 
of a superior brand. 

Bretveries. — The manufacture of beer is one of the principal industries in Watertown. 
Besides supplying a large local custom, the demand for Watertown brands of this beverage is 
such as to make its manufacture as profitable as it is extensive. C. M. Ducasse brewed the first 
beer for the thirsty citizens of Watertown in a rude and diminutive establishment located about 
four miles north of the village. He made weekly trips to Watertown. with a few kegs in a cart 
drawn by a yoke of oxen. It is said the fluid was " so dai-k you couldn't see a frog in it." It is 
not disputed, however, that a great many persons were very fond of looking for one, well aware 
that they never would find it. 

Fiiermann's Empire Brewery. — This concern was established in 1818 by the gentleman 
whose name it bears. It was soon enabled to supply the demand in Watertown, and, under the 
impulse of prosperity, increased its capacity at various times in order to fill the growing require- 
ments for this particular beverage of the thirsty denizens of Chicago and other villages. Eleven 
thousand barrels a year is the average production of this brewery. The establishment covers 
one acre of ground. Connected therewith is an icehouse 52x100 feet and 80 feet high ; 
also a bottling department with a capacity of five barrels per day. The capital invested is 
stated to be $100,000. 

Oitij Bmoery. — This institution was opened in 1854 by Joseph Bursinger, employing three 
men and about |2,000 capital, until its success compelled an increase of both. Five thousand 
barrels of beer is the annual production of this establishment at the present time, necessitating 
the employment of about §80.000 capital. This beer, it is claimed, is made of pure malt and 
hops, and has no drug of any kind in it. Shipments are made throughout Wisconsin. 

Rock River Distillery. — A hand-mash concern, with a capacity of about two barrels of high- 
wines per day; located on the old plank-road to Milwaukee, and built about 1815 by Tigler & 
Greve. The successive managers of the concern have been Mr. Gregg, Messrs. Neisser, Jacoby 
Miller, Toussaint & \'auilel, and J. J. Toussaint, the latter being the present proprietor. The 
institution has been idle for the past three years. Mr. Toussaint carries on a rectifying estab- 
lishment in connection therewith, which is located in Watertown at the east end of the Main 
street bridge. 

Eaton's Soda- Water Factory. — Established in 1868, on Water street, for the purpose of 
manufacturing all kinds of mineral waters. The original firm was Eaton li; Green. Mr. Green 
soon retired from the business, being succeeded by M. J. Woodard. Finally, Mr. S. M, Eaton 
became the sole proprietor. The enterprise, still a profitable one, has suffered somewhat from 
the effects of the sharp competition which has grown up in the different cities and villages, but 
the excellence of its productions — especially its Seltzer water, which is declared to be equal to 
the famous German bramls — places it in the van of this character of manufactories in Wisconsin. 
Wagon Factories. — Green & Reeil carried on the first wagon and carriage factory in Water- 
town. It was located on First street, on or near the present site of Doering's mill, and was 
established about 1842. It has long since gone out of existence. 

Richard Jones built and conducted the second institution of this character in Watertown, 
in 1846, on West Water street. Since that time, Mr. Jones has taught the business to eighteen 
different persons, some of whom are still following it in Watertown. The first of this number 
was F. Misegades, who joined Mr. Jones as a partner and assistant in 1847. remaining with him 
ten years. A dissolution then took place, Mr. Misegades retiring from the old firm and begin- 
ning business a few doors north on his own account. In 1867, a consolidation took place 
between the managers of the two interests, Mr. Misegades resuming his place at his old appren- 
tice bench. In 1875, the partnership again ceased. Mr. Misegades has re-established "at the 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 427 

old stand." "There was a time." says Mr. Jone^i, " when my sales reached seventy wagons a 
year," but competition and hard times have had ill effect upon trade. I shall probably sell 
fifteen or twenty this year." 

Charles Krueger built a wagon-shop, in 1854, on Third street, on the site of Father Hoyt's 
Church, which was burned down. Mr. Krueger had carried on the business in the rear of the 
church for several years previous. The establishment is now leased by John Koeler, who 
learned his trade with Krueger. 

Gotfried Krump established a wagon Victory, in 1857, near Smith's bridge. In 1862, 
while in the forest cutting timbers to build a new shop on Sixth street, he was killed by a fall- 
ing tree. August Krump, son of the unfortunate Gotfiied, completed the work, and now carries 
on the business, in conjunction with Gotleib Sprenger, who rents a portion of the factory and 
does the wood- work. 

S. T. & .1. H. Bolles established in this business on South First street in 1859. The firm 
soon afterward became Weisert & Bolles, and. in 1874, changed to Bolles & Prochazka. Four 
men employed ; manufiicture from forty to fifty buggies and wagons every year. 

In 1862, James Killian commenced making wagons on the east side of South First street. 
In 1870, he moved to the west side of the street, where he has ever since remained ; wagons, 
buggies and sleighs. 

J. D. Casey estiiblished on South Water street in 1873 ; employs four men ; makes the 
Casey wagon. 

Edward Davis, South First street; established fifteen years ago; wagons and buggies. 

Carriage Trimmer. — About ten years ago, H. F. Cox opened out on First street as a car- 
riage trimmer. He was succeeded by J. T. Pierce in 1876, who located on the east side of the 
street, and, after a brief period, removed to the west side in Bolles & Prochazha's carriage fac- 
tory. October 6, 1S78, he went back to the east side of the street. His business is principally 
retopping buggies. 

Pump-Making. — W. M. Ames and Edward Cohen have manufactured and repaired water- 
pumps on South First street at various times, individually and collectively, for the past twenty 
years, turning out from one to five hundred annually. 

Cooperage. — Nathan Beckwith built the first cooper-shop in Watertown, and manufactured 
the first barrels in 1846. He was located in what is now the First Ward. George E. Nixon 
was employed by Mr. Beckwith for a short time, but in 1847 went into business on his own 
account, building himself a "four-hand shop" on the west side of the river, near the woolen- 
mill, in the midst of a dense forest, being compelled to cut away large trees in order to obtain a 
site. Mr. Nixon has made several additions to his original shop, until now it has a capacity of 
10,000 pieces a year — lard-tierces, butter-firkins and flour-barrels. Mr. Nixon manufactures 
largely for the Chicago market. 

In 1852, Green Bros, built a saw-mill in the Sixth Ward. Atwater & Co., Bessler & Web- 
ster and 0. B. Sanford were the successive proprietors. Mr. Sanford made various additions to 
the mill, putting in machinery for a stave-factory, and building a cooper-shop. In 1869, he 
sold to Chris. May and Fred Miller, who put in a new engine and fixed up the property gener- 
ally, adding to it a department for the manufacture of bedsteads, which they rented to Peter 
May. Messrs. May & Miller have greatly enlarged the cooper-shop, where they now employ 
twenty-four men in the manufiicture of all kinds of coopers' ware, principally flour-barrels ; 
80,000 pieces a year have been turned out at this establishment, but this number has been 
greatly diminished since the introduction and use of flour-sacks by the millers. Fifteen hands 
are employed in the stave-factory and saw-mill when in operation. 

In 1854, D. Kehr established a cooper-shop at the corner of Second and Cole streets, where 
he still continues to manufacture barrels, etc., on a small scale. 

Charles Ahrenberg established in 1856, at the corner of Sixth and Cady streets, where he 
now employs five men, and manufactures between two and three thousand pieces a year, most of 
them being shipped to Chicago pork-packers. 



428 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Andrea Ammen, corner of Eighth and County Line streets, established in 1861 ; pork and 
flour barrels ; 1,000 a year. 

Andrew & John Zickert, established in 1865, near the corner of Jones and Fifth streets. 
In 1876, John Zickert withdrew from the firm. From six to eight men are now employed in the 
manufacture of pork-barrels and lard-tierces, between four and five thousand being made annually. 

In 1865, Bertram & Wegner erected a steam saw-mill, heading and stave factory and 
cooper-shop, on West avenue, near the North-Western depot. The partnership closed in 1866, 
and, in March, 1867, the property was deeded to Benjamin Nute, George W. Perry and Daniel 
Hall. Two months later, Mr. Perry withdrew, the firm becoming B. Nute k Co. Mr. Nute 
died December 1, 1877, and the property was transferred, by quitclaim deed of heirs, April 12, 
1879, to Benjamin Nute, Jr., and Horace Nute, the firm now being known as B. & H. Nute. 

S. Bumgartner, corner of Second and Green streets ; L. Giese, Hustisford street, near 
Chester ; L. Prochazka, Third and Spring streets, and W. Whidoft, Hustisford, near Lynn 
streets, complete the list of coopers in Watertown. 

Tanneries. — The first institution of this character in Watertown was located just below 
the Milwaukee k St. Paul Railroad bridge. It was established about 1850, by George Washing- 
ton Grifiith, who carried it on for a few years and then sold to George Mevis. It was soon after- 
ward destroyed by fire. 

In 1856, Jacob Cech and Martin Hopf owned and operated a tannery on the west side of 
the river, in the northern part of the city. In 1859, Mr. Cech withdrew and established a sim- 
ilar concern on the east side of the river, in the Sixth Ward, and carried it on till 187-3, when 
it passed into the hands of his son, Charles Cech, the present proprietor. Mr. Cech also deals 
in leather and shoe findings, on North Second street. 

In 1866, A. Wegemann and A. Gardwohl built a tannery in the Sixth Ward, on the east 
side of the river. In 1868, Mr. Gardwohl retired from the business, and it has since been con- 
ducted by Mr. Wegeman, who, in connection therewith, carries on a wholesale establishment 
at the corner of Madison and Second streets, where he deals in all kinds of leather, hides, find- 
ings, etc. 

Ci(/ar Factories. — Two millions a year is a fair estimate of the number of cigars manufac- 
tured in Watertown. Of this number, Wiggenhorn Brothers, the proprietors of the second 
largest factory of the kind in the State, and the oldest now in existence in Watertown, make 
about a million and a half. This factory was established in 1858 by Eugene Wiggenhorn, who, 
for some months afterward, was the solitary workman in it. In 1862, his business had increased 
to such an extent that the services of ten men became necessary. In July, 1868, Constanz 
Wiggenhorn became a partner in the concern, the firm thereafter being known as Wiggenhorn 
Brothers. They now employ from forty to fifty hands in the work of manufacturing, packing, 
etc. Their goods are sold throughout Wisconsin and in parts of Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa 
and Illinois. 

In 1861, A. F. Miller commenced the manufacture of cigars on the north side of Main 
street, near Third. The business grew slowly but permanently into a profitable enterprise, and 
now requires the services of seven men. Mr. Miller does an extensive jobbing trade, manufac- 
turing about a quarter of a million cigars annually. 

In 1873, Louis Kehr opened a cigar factory on North Second street, and conducted it on a 
small scale until 1876, when increased trade compelled him to seek larger quarters and addi- 
tional help. He is now located on Main street, near Second, where he employs three workmen, 
and turns out about one hundred and twenty thousand cigars a year. He ships throughout 
Wisconsin. 

In the spring of 1879, Charles Becker, set up in business as a cigar manufacturer in the 
Sixth Ward. 

The most recent institution of this character, which '' hopes to solicit a share of the public 
patronage," is that of Schlueter Brothers, established July 10, 1879, at the east end of Main 
street ; capacity, 6,000 a month. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 429 

Planing-Milh, etc. — There are three institutions in Watertown where the steam planer 
sings its deafening and monotonous song, and the frisky buzz-saw reaps its periodical harvest of 
fingers and thumbs. The first of these was established by R. E. k G. B. Lewis in 1861. The 
articles manufactured are doors, blinds, sash, cheese-bo.xes, honey-boxes and beehives. In 1870, 
G. B. Lewis purchased his brother's interest, and, in October, 1878, took into partnership 
Charles E. Parks, the style of the firm now being Lewis & Parks. 

Sometime during the same year, Chr. Meyer built a similar institution on the present site 
of Doering's mill. In 1864, he purchased 100 inches of water, and located beside Bennett's 
foundry, where he conducted the business till the spring of 1875, when he discontinued the 
wholesale trade and entered into the business of a contractor and builder, manufacturing articles 
for his own use in his mill, and filling a few local orders. Mr. Meyer learned the business with 
Dart Brothers in Buffalo, N. Y., coming to Watertown in 1856, and working at the carpenter's 
trade until 1861. Employs an average of eight men. 

Eleven years ago, Philip Heinrichs commenced making bedsteads and chairs in a building 
adjoining Chris May's stave-factory. More recently, he put in machinery for the manufacture 
of doors, sash, blinds, etc., and now employs eighteen men. He makes frequent shipments of 
various articles of furniture to Iowa, Minnesota and different parts of Wisconsin. 

Lindons Packing-house. — Located on South Water street, opposite the American House. 
Established in 18.'i5 by Joseph Lindon. The business has been somewhat variable, depending 
largely upon the local supply of hogs and the prices abroad. In 1863, the business reached its 
maximum, about $100,000 worth of bacon, hams, etc., being packed and shipped to Europe, 
New York, Chicago, Milwaukee and the pineries of Wisconsin. 

Ice-ffouses. — Fifteen thousand tons of ice are now (August, 1879), stored in the ice- 
houses of Watertown. S. M. Eaton built the first establishment of this kind in Watertown in 
1870. He has two buildings, one in the rear of his soda factory, and the other half a mile up 
the river, with an aggregate capacity of 15,000 tons. A Chicago firm erected a large building 
near Mr. Eaton's upper repository, last winter, where they now have 10,000 tons stored. Large 
shipments are made to Chicago during the summer. Near the close of the ice harvest of 1876, 
when there was a prospect for a decided scarcity of this article in Chicago, several enterprising 
individuals of that city came to Watertown, and, marshaling every available man and horse in 
the community, commenced the work of gathering ice from Rock River and shipping it to the Gar- 
den City. Over two hundred men were employed in the work for several weeks, about $10,000 
being invested in the enterprise. On one occasion, while this army of men were being paid off 
at the saloon of 0. Auwers, near the North-Western depot, the floor of the saloon gave way, and 
thirty or forty persons were precipitated into the cellar below. No one was injured, however, 
but several very laughable incidents occurred. One man was " doubled-up like a jack-knife " 
in a barrel of soft soap. Another was stopped suddenly in his descent by a basket of eggs. 

GAS COMPANY. 

A fair quality of gas is furnished to the people of Watertown. The company was organized 
in August, 1855, in accordance with an act of the Legislature, the passage of which was secured 
by Patrick Rogan, at that time a member of the Assembly. The first directory was as follows : 
A. L. Pritcliard, Daniel Jones, Patrick Rogan, William M. Dennis and William Chappell. 
The introduction of gas was celebrated May 13, 1856, by a public festival, held at the Planter's 
House. The present managers of the institution are Gustavus Werlich, Theodore Prentiss. 
Jonas H. Sleeper, W. H. Clark, and a few individuals living in the East. 

GRAIN ELEVATORS. 

L. J. Higby, of Milwaukee elevator fame, built the first grain elevator in Watertown, in 
1855. It stood near the east end of the Milwaukee & St. Paul bridge, and was purchased by 



430 HISTORY OF JEFFER.SOX COUXTY. 

A. Nichols, who, in 1866, removed it a few rods east of the present passenger depot of that 
road, where it now stands, the property of W. M. Buchheit. It has a capacity of about twenty 
thousand bushels, and is fitted up with improved machinery for cleansing and storing that 
amount of grain. 

In 1856, George Peebles remodeled the large railroad warehouse, which stood a short dis- 
tance west of the Milwaukee & St. Paul main depot, and converted it into a grain elevator. 
When Mr. Peebles died, in 1870, the property was purchased by John Betz, and on the 14th 
of January, 1878, it was destroyed by fire. During the summer and fall of the same year, it 
was rebuilt by the Watertown Elevator Company, and a large lot of grain-cleansing appliances, 
together with a forty-five horse-power engine, put into it. Jonas Sleeper is the manager, and 
L. B. Tifft and E. C. Wickert the purchasing agents of this institution. It is 34x36 feet in 
size, with a warehouse 80x30 feet attached. Tlie first six months of its existence the Water- 
town Elevator Company shipped 120,000 bushels of wheat. 

Pritzlaff & Betz have just completed an elevator and put it into operation near the pas- 
senger depot of the Chicago and North- Western Railway Company. It has a full complement 
of the necessary cleansing and hoisting machinery, driven by a fifteen-horse-power engine 
The capacity of this elevator is about fifteen thousand bushels. 

THE WATER-POWER. 

Rock River has been made the patient servant of commerce, and the torrent, subdued to 
man's service to drive the complicated machinery invented by his ingenuity, is taught to leap 
forth in the morning to its toil, and to glide away at evening to its rest. The " old Watertown 
dam " was built in 1837, in connection with a double saw-mill (the first mill erected in Water- 
town), by Charles F. H. Goodhue & Son. There ^ere several parties interested in the construc- 
tion of this dam, and the prospective proprietorship was the cause of considerable strife among 
certain early settlers. The work progressed slowly, however, and, in the spring of 1838, tiie 
feud was settled by an act of the Territorial Legislature which gave a charter to the C. F. H. 
Goodhue and James Bogan. The material of which the dam was constructed, not being of a very 
substantial nature, gradually decayed until it became necessary to rebuild. This was done about 
twelve years ago, the present substantial frame- work being put in. This dam is now the prop 
erty of F. Miller & Co. 

In 1842, the upper dam, known as the Rough and Ready Dam, was built by Joseph and 
Calvin M. Bouton in connection with a saw-mill which has long since ceased to exist. In 1847, 
Luther A. Cole and John Richards erected the Rough and Ready Mill at this dam, with three 
run of stones. The dam was repaired by them, and, in 1865, they disposed of the entire property 
to Konig ik Benkendorf, the present owners, who have added many improvements. 

The lower dam, better known, perhaps, as Boomer's dam, was built in 1847, by L. E. 
Boomer. Mr. Boomer also erected a saw-mill on the site, whicli was afterward converted into a 
flouring-mill. The property now belongs to B. & D. B. Nute. A portion of the water-power 
on the west side of the river is owned by William Taylor, of Green Bay. 

BANKS. 

Prior to 1853, the business of money-lending, note-shaving, etc., in Watertown. did not 
exist in accordance with any regular organized method. A person in need of a few dollars, and 
having the necessary collaterals, could borrow of his grocer or his butcher, and pay the interest 
with the productions of his farm or garden. The nearest approach to a banking institution in 
those days was Daniel Jones' broker office. In 1S.53, the Jefferson County Bank was orgaiiized 
under the State banking laws, with a capital of §75,000. The officers were Charles G. Harger, 
President ; Daniel Jones, Vice President, and H. B. Gallup, Cashier. This institution sus- 
pended in 1862, after liquidating all claims against it, and paying dollar for dollar. 



.HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 431 

In 1854, the Bank of Watertown was organized under the provisionary statutes, with a 
capital of $25,000, and the following officers : A. L. Pritchard, President ; W. II. Clark, 
Cashier. The capital stock of this institution is now $50,000, still being under the control of 
the original officers. It went through the panics of 1857 and 1873 without stopping. 

In the spring of 1858, the Bank of Wisconsin was organized, with William M. Dennis as 
President, and Peter V. Brown as Cashier. Directors — William M. Dennis, Henry Mulberger 
and P. V. Brown. Capital stock, $50,000. In February. 1865, it re-organized under a certifi- 
cate of authority, as the Wisconsin National Bank. President, William M. Dennis; Vice Presi- 
dent, Daniel Jones ; Cashier, P. V. Brown. Its present capital stock is $50,000, and its officers 
are Daniel Jones, President, and P. V. Brown, Cashier. Directors — Daniel Jones, E. Johnson, 
F. Miller, H. Mulberger and P. V. Brown. 

HOTELS. 

Before the days of railroads, the man who couldn't keep a hotel in Watertown, and make 
money at it, was considered to be a very poor stick, indeed. Watertown was a sort of half-way 
house between Beaver Dam, Fox Lake, etc., and Milwaukee, with which latter place it was con- 
nected by a good plank-road. Farmers and others transporting their produce to the lake shore 
could bring only ordinary loads over the rough roads leading into Watertown. Here they 
"doubled up" by putting two small loads on one wagon, and sending it into Milwaukee over 
the plank-road with " safety and expedition!" Watertown thus became a great central point 
for this mode of reshipment, the drivers and teams of the empty wagons frequently remaining 
over until the return from Milwaukee was made with the equivalents of their produce, being on 
hand to take half of it through the mud and mire to their homes. Mr. Van Alstine says he 
thought business was falling oil" if he didn't have one hundred persons to feed every day and 
as many horses to stable at night. But the advent of the iron horse brought a wonderful change. 
Watertown became a mere station at which only those having business here were compelled to 
stop. Its hotels, however, have been well patronized, owing to the large number of "traveling 
men " attracted thither by the increase of trade and the merchant's continuous demand for 
fresh supplies. The hotel history is one of deep interest and well worth preserving. 

Lindon House. — Built by Patrick Rogan in 1845-46, and opened by W. S. Turner in May, 
1846, as the American House, the first hotel of any consequence in Watertown. Peter Rogan 
became the subsequent proprietor. He leased to Potter & Ayres, but within a short time took 
charge of it himself Theodore Prentiss purchased from Mr. Rogan, and, in 1864, sold to Joseph 
LiYidon, the present proprietor. Mr. Lindon raised the original building, made additions in the 
I'ear and christened the structure the Lindon House, the occasion being celebrated by a " flow of 
soul " and other good things. 

Planter s House. — Built in 1846 by A. F. Cady and Gov. Farwell. It stood at the corner 
of Second and Main streets, on the site of the present post-office block. It was leased by W. 
C. Greene. W. H. Clark became the purchaser from Cady & Farwell. Among the numerous 
individuals who succeeded to the management may be mentioned A. B. Gardiner, Mr. Harring- 
ton and Nathan Pratt. Mr. Cady subsequently became the lessee, but retired when the property 
was purchased by E. R. Robinson, who refitted and reconstructed the hotel and called it the 
Robinson House. Peter Bertholl purchased of Mr. Robinson, and he sold to Franz Gebhardt. 
The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1867 and was not rebuilt. 

American House. — Situated on South Water street. Built in 1849 by Michael Owens. 
Enlarged at various times, until it reached its present size — a three-story frame. Purchased in 
1875 by Christopher Smith, its present proprietor. 

Buena Vista House. — Built in 1847 by Henry Boegel and opened in February, 1848, by 
the same gentleman, who had been in the Mexican war, and took part in the battle of Buena Vista, 
from which event it took its name. In 1849, Boegel sold to William Wiggenhorn, who kept the 
house about six years. He then rented it to his son, C. Wiggenhorn, and, in 1855, sold the 



432 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

property to A. Meiswinkel. Through the inability of the latter to meet his obligations, the hotel 
reverted to Mr. Wiggenhorn, who leased it to his son Eugene, and, in 1863, " " ' Franz 

Gebhardt. A. Bertling, the present proprietor, purchased from Mr. Gebhardt. y days, 

the Buena Vista was a favorite resort for "the boys." 

Exchange. — Built some time in 1846 by a man named Savage. Kept firs as a hotel by 
Edward Gilman. In 1848, .J. B. Van Alstine purchased it, and, for the past thirty-one years, 
has guided its destinies, having made improvements which place it among the best houses in the 
city. 

Commercial House. — Built and occupied as stores and offices in 184-3, and first opened as a 
hotel in 1847 by Thomas Norris. It was then known as the Watertown House. Norrissoldto 
J. C. Lewis, and in 1849 it came into the possession of Joseph Lindon. Mr. Manegold suc- 
ceeded Mr. Lindon and is its present manager. In July, 1879, it was partially rebuilt and called 
the Commercial House. 

Junction House. — Located at the junction of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul with the 
Chicago k North- Western Railway. Built in 1863 by John Matthews. It was then called 
the Bay State House. November 12, 1875, it was destroyed by fire. Rebuilt by N. W. 
Pierce, its present owner. 

Washington House. — Built in 18-55 hy Herman Schroeter. Became the property of 
Fred Kronitz in 1875. Destroyed by fire and rebuilt in 1877. Located at the corner of Sixth 
and Main streets. A brick structure, with twelve sleeping-rooms. 

Schweitzer House. — A thing of the past. Built by a man named Bruesch in 1846. After- 
ward rented to C. M. Ducasse, who carried it on as an "emigration house," to his own profit 
and the comfort of weary individuals, who had acted under the advice of Horace Greeley, and 
gone West. Ceased to be a hotel about 1860. 

Wisconsin House. — Built in 1874 by L. W. Krueger, the present proprietor. .A. two- 
story brick, corner of Main and Fifth, containing twenty sleeping rooms. 

Among other hotels which have long since ceased to be may be mentioned the William Tell 
House, which stood in the Fifth Ward, owned by Jacob Baumann ; the Western Star Hotel, 
corner of Cady and West Water streets, owned by Gotlieb Baumann ; destroyed by fire ; Star 
Hotel, near the Milwaukee & St. Paul depot, owned by Daniel O'Connor; Boston House, in the 
eastern suburbs of the city ; Kossuth House, east end of Main street. All have passed away. 

THE FIRE DEPART.MENT. 

Considering the meager appropriation of public funds for the maintenance of this very 
necessary institution, the Fire Department of Watertown is well organized, and withal very 
efficient in preventing extensive conflagrations. It was incorporated under an act of the Legis- 
lature approved March 6, 1869, with the following officers: President, Leonard Jaehrling; 
Vice President, Joseph Miller ; Secretary, Gustavus Werlich ; Treasurer, William H. Rohr ; 
Collector, John Muth. Prior to this time, Watertown had enjoyed but poor protection from 
"devouring flames," though no serious conflagration had ever occurred. An antiquated hand- 
engine was the only implement in the .shape of a " fire-fighter " in the service of the city, from 
1859 to 1860. All the boys ran with this machine. The company was known as 

Pioneer Engine C'oinpanji, No. 1. — It was organized in 1857 with Albert Herkenrath as 
Foreman, and Joseph Miller, Engineer. It was re-organized in September, 1859, by the election 
of the following officers : Foreman, William Quick ; First Assistant, Owen Hogan ; Second 
Assistant, John Campbell ; Secretary, James McHugh; Treasurer, Michael McHugh ; Hose 
Captain, John O'Rourke. In 1866, a commodious engine house was erected on First street for 
their accommodation. It is of brick, '28.x3'2 feet in size. 

May 9, 1868, a re-organization under the same name took place, with the following offi- 
cers : Foreman, Theodore Racek ; First Assistant, George Henze ; Second Assistant, Charles 
Cech ; Treasurer, John Weber ; Secretary, William H. Rohr. In 1876, the hand-engine was 







^/M. 




W^ATERTOWN 




HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 435 

superseded by an Ahrens steamer, which is still in use by the company. The present officers 
of the company are: Foreman, John Muth ; First Assistant, Ferdinand Buending; Treasurer, 
Christ Becker ; Secretary, Otto Loeffler ; Hose Captain, W. D. Fischer ; Assistant, William 
Beissner; Engineer, Ernest Kunert ; Fireman, Frank Kunert. 

Badger State Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1. — Organized April 17, 1869. First 
oflScers: Foreman, John Reichert ; First Assistant, Nic Bruegger; Second Assistant, Fred 
Stylow ; Secretary, Gustav Barthmann ; Treasurer, Carl Goeldner. This Company's truck 
occupies a portion of the First Street Engine-house. The present officers are : Foreman, 
Joseph Jungmann ; First Assistant, Nic Bruegger ; Second, Henry Meyer, Jr. ; Treasurer, 
Carl Goeldner ; Secretary, George Henze. 

Pioneer Engine Company, No. 2. — Organized May 24, 1876. First officers : Foreman, 
Fred Spink ; First Assistant, John E. Weisert ; Second, George W. Hill ; Treasurer, James 
McGeean : Secretary, Frank Eaton ; Engineer, C. E. Straw. In addition to the above, the 
following were also among the charter members : F. G. Heinze, H. B. Howe, Ira Howe, C. 
A. Hascall, John McDonald, Charles Carr, W. J. Emerson, P. D. Walsh, Thomas Foley, N. 
Murphy, Gus McCabe and William Wilson. The city purchased for this Company a No. 2 
Silsby engine, paying $4,800 therefor. The Company was temporarily located in F. Misse- 
gades' wagon factory, opposite their present engine-house, which was built and occupied in 1876, 
at a cost of $2,400. The efficiency of the Company and the completeness of their para- 
phernalia are entirely due to the individual efforts of the members. Their engine-house and 
meeting-room are models of order and neatness, being elaborately decorated with pictures and 
tapestry. The present officers are : Foreman, George Mann ; Assistant, William Emerson ; 
Engineer, C. E. Straw ; Hose Captain, E. Rogan ; Assistant, Henry Rosthauser ; Treasurer, 
John Weisert; Secretary, E. M. Wood. 

Sack Company, No. 1. — Incorporated, in 1876, for the purpose of attending fires in the 
capacity of a special police and taking charge of property. First officers : Foreman, Leonard 
Jaehrling ; Assistant, Leopold Kabet ; Secretary, Eugene Wiggenhorn ; Treasurer, Joseph 
Blifenicht. Present officers : Foreman, William H. Rolir ; Assistant, Daniel Platz ; Secre- 
tary, F. Rosenbaum ; Treasurer, Joseph Blifenicht. 

Coal Cart Company. — Organized in 1878, C. Eaton, Captain, for the purpose of supply- 
ing the engines with coal while on duty at fires. 

The present officers of the Fire Department are : President, Eugene Wiggenhorn ; Vice 
President, August Fuermann ; Chief Engineer, William Schulte ; Assistant Chief, William 
Stone; Secretary, Chris Becker; Treasurer, Carl Goeldner. Each company is represented in 
the Department by two Trustees. The Department officers are elected once a year, by ballot, 
the members of the different companies only voting. Each company selects its own officers. 
There are at present about one hundred and thirty-three members in the Department. 

The authorities will some day realize the necessity for keeping teams of large and powerful 
horses to draw their engines to fires without delay, instead of relying upon overwoi'ked and 
broken-down animals which are invariably half a mile from the engine-houses when the alarm is 
sounded. Three instances of this kind have come under the observation of the writer within as 
many weeks. A stitch in time saves nine. 

WATERTOWN POST OFFICE. 

This important Federal institution was established in tlie fall of 1837, with William M. 
Dennis as Postmaster. The people of Watertown, prior to that time, obtained their mail from 
Aztalan. which was for a long time the point of distribution for many other new settlements. 
The letters and jiapers for Watertown were brought by the mail carrier from Aztalan in a pocket- 
handkerchief. Including I\Ir. Dennis, there have been twelve Postmasters in Watertown, as 
follows: P. V. Brown, Patrick Rogan, Benjamin F. Fay, John F. Kimball, Jacob J. Enos, 
Myron B. Williams, Jas. Potter, Peter Rogan, Jacob Jussen, Henry Bertram and Justus T. Moak. 

H 



436 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

In 1856, the monotonous arrival and distribution of mute mail matter was varied by tl 
receipt of a small dog, carefully tied up in a gunny bag and properly addressed to a well-kno\i 
citizen. It is believed to have been the first occurrence of the kind in the history of any po 
office. Commenting upon the affair, a local editor said that, in his opinion, it was "no worse 
perversion of the design of the postal system than the practice of some Congressmen of sendir 
their washing home, under the mark of public documents and with their frank of postaj 
free." 

In January, 1856, Postmaster Williams removed the post office to Second street, in "qu;i 
ters enlarged and much improved." In August, of the same year, the office became entitled 
Presidential appointment, the commissions having reached $1,000 a year. Myron B. Willian 
was appointed Postmaster by President Pierce. In July, 1858,- Mr. Williams was supersede 
by Gen. James Potter, under Buchanan's administration. Gen. Potter removed the office to tl 
Democrat building, on Main street. April 29, 1859, the office was again removed, this time 
the corner of West avenue and Water street. Two months before the expiration of Preside! 
Buchanan's term. Gen. Potter was relegated to private life by the appointment of Peter Roga: 
who, in March, 1860, established the office in Cramer's Block, on the West Side. After fou 
teen months of official life, Postmaster Rogan was retired in favor of Jacob Jussen, who receivt 
his appointment under President Lincoln. Postmaster Jussen removed the office to L. R. Cady 
block on Second street, the place formerly occupied by it. Mr. Jussen was re-appointed in Ma; 
1866, by Andrew Johnson, but in September, of the same year, was replaced by the appoin 
ment of Henry Bertram. Justus T. Moak succeeded to the position in March, 1867, and hi 
remained in the office to the present time. 

The Watertown Post Office was made ''a complete money-order office," in 1866. The fir 
order was issued in February, of that year, to Henry Steger in favor of William Johnson, ( 
Dubuque, Iowa, for $7. The whole number of orders issued during that month was less tha 
the number sometimes issued now in a single day, the total being twenty-four orders, amountin 
to $384.42. The number of orders drawn upon the office during the same month was elevei 
amounting to $191.93. At the present time, quitean extensive foreign money-order business 
transacted, orders being obtainable upon Germany, Great Britain, Canada and Switzerland. Tl; 
records now show an average issue of 100 orders per week, aggregating $1,200. and nearly thi 
number and amount being paid. The general business of the office is quite large, requiring tl 
constant personal attention of Postmaster Moak and three clerks. 

Other Federal Officers. — The following named gentlemen have, at various times, filled tb 
positions herewith accredited to them : Assistant Assessors, Harlow Pease. D. D. Scott an 
Calvin Cheeney ; Deputy Collector, Calvin Cheeney ; U. S. Ganger, William L. Norri; 
appointed in 1868, who, prior to that time, held the office of Inspector of Spirits and Cigai 
until that office was abolished. Of the large army of gangers, Mr. Xorris is one of less than 
dozen who have remained in office successively, and against whom no charges have ever bee 
brought. Storekeepers, George W. Perry and James McCann. The latter now resides i 
Rome, in this county. Court Commissioners, J. J. Enos and Calvin B. Skinner. 

PUBLIC HALLS. 

The first hall where public gatherings were held was (and is still) in the attic of the o! 
American House (now the Lindon). It was used for all kinds of entertainments for severe 
years, until John W. Cole's block was built, and a large hall opened therein. 

Boegel's Hall, in Seibel's Block, on Main street, was for awhile a favorite place for publi 
gatherings. 

Music Hall, on North First street, was the next place of the kind opened for such pui 
poses. It is under the management of the Musical Society. 

Turners' Hall is probably the most commodious and popular, as well as the most moden 
of the numerous halls in Watertown. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 437 



DER VIEHMARKT. 



This is an institution peculiar to the cities and villages of Jefferson County, and particu- 
larly to Watertown. It is what may be termed a stock fair, and has its origin in a cistom still 
in existence in Germany. It was introduced in Watertown twenty years ago by Leopold 
Kadisch, and has been kept up ever since. 

On the second Tuesday of each month, hundreds of farmers assemble in the city or village 
nearest their homes, bringing with them horses, cattle of all grades and descriptions, hogs, dogs, 
poultry, dairy products, etc., all of which are displayed in the principal thoroughfares, for sale. 
Dealers from Milwaukee and Chicago meet them, and purchase sometimes largely of particular 
exhibits. It is a day of sharp bargains and amusing scenes. Farmers' wives and daughters 
drive both the cattle and the bargains, and can twist the caudle appendage of an unruly calf 
with a grace and effect that would turn an Arkansas " bullwhacker " green with env}'. The 
last three months of the year are the most fruitful of extensive displays. Third, Fourth and 
Fifth streets, for two blocks on either side of Main, are on occasions of der Viehmarkt the scenes 
of great animation. The merchant often reaps a rich harvest from those who are successful in 
disposing of their particular articles. Venders of peanuts, candies, etc., prize der Viehmarkt as 
highly as they do a circus, and the festive monte man is generally on hand, in search for vic- 
tims : but. as a rule, those who become ensnared in his net do not always belong to the rural 
classes. There are gudgeons and gudgeons ! 

SECRET AND OTHER SOCIETIES. 

The Masons. — At an early day, a Lodge of Masons was organized in Watertown, known 
as Tuscan Lodge, the records of which cannot be traced, though they doubtless exist. The 
Lodge was short-lived and soon became a thing of the past. 

Watertown Chapter, No. 11, R. A. M. — Charter granted February 10, 18.53. Present 
officers: N. C. Daniels, H. P.; S. M. Eaton, K.; Jesse Stone, S.; James Ford, Secretary ; M. 
B. Schwab, Treasurer. 

Watertown Lodge, No. Jfi. — Charter granted June 14, 1854. First oflBcers : Benjamin 
Granger, W. M.; J. Williams, S. W.; V. D. Green, J. W. Present oflHcers : S.M.Eaton, 
W. M.; Jesse Stone. S. W.; Ferd Heinze, J. R.; George Webb, Secretary. There are 122 
members. 

The Odd FeUotvs. — Watertotvn Lodge, No. 31. — Organized September 1,1848, by Grand 
Master Wilson. First officers : S. Stirapson, Noble Grand ; M. W. Glines, Vice Grand ; W. 
H. Besley, Recording Secretary ; B. F. Fay, Permanent Secretary ; W. C. Green, Treasurer ; 
T. Ten Eycke, Warden ; Charles Billings, Guardian. January 5, 1856, the Lodge suspended. 
The oflScers at that date were: A. H. Nichols, N. G.; F. H. Dodge, V. G.; J. F. Chatfield, P. 
S ; Charles Wood, R. S.; H. Maes, T. In February, 1875, it was resuscitated, with the fol- 
lowing officers, working under the old charter: John Davis, N. G.; E. R. Evans, V. G.; S. G. 
Roper, R. S.; Charles Wood, P. S.; M. N. Barber, T. The present officers are: A. Solli- 
dav. N. G.; W. B. Squires, V. G.; E. S. Cunningham, R. S.; J. Hammon, P. S.; M. N. Bar- 
ber, T. 

Watertoivn Lodge, No. 77. — Organized April 10, 18.54. with the following charter mem- 
bers : Henry Mulberger, Andrew Peterson, John Baker, Henry Bertram and Christian Bret- 
scher. John Baker was the first Noble Grand. The charter members originally belonged to 
No. 31 (the American Lodge), but national dissensions caused a rupture, resulting in the form- 
tion of a new Lodge. The present officers of No. 77 are: William Krueger, N. G.; Fred 
Fischer, V. G.; Jacob Weber, R. S.: Leonard Jaehrling, P. S.; Jacob Koerner, T. There are 
ninety members in the Lodge. 



438 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUXTY. 

Rachel Lodge. — In 1869, a Rebecca Degree Lodge, composed of the wives of Odd Fellow 
in Watertown, was formed, the present officers of which are : Mrs. Stjlow, X. G.; Mrs. Rose 
V. G.; Mrs. Fischer, P. S.; Mrs. Hoffman, R. S.; Mrs. Jaehrling, T. 

Watertoivn JEncampment, I. 0. 0. F. — Organized, 1875. First officers : Charles Lotz 
Grand Patriarch ; Charles Beckman, High Priest ; Jacob Weber, First Warden ; Chr. Schmidt 
Second Warden ; Charles Gothe, Treasurer; U. Habbegger, Financial Secretary; Fred Stylow 
Scribe. Present officers: F. Gerber, G. P.; Peter Klosse, H. P.; August Seafurt, F. W, 
Chr. Schmidt, S. W.; U. Habhegger, T.; Fred Stylow, S. and F. S. 

Sons of Hermann. — Guttenbery Lodge, No. IS. — The Sons of Hermann is a secret Order 
but not of a very mysterious nature. Its object is the insurance of its members, each of whom 
upon joining the Order, takes a thousand-dollar policy, payable to his family, or whosoever h 
may direct, when he dies — a sort of life insurance association, minus the high-salaried officers 
No. 13 is strictly a German-speaking Lodge. Its first officers were: Theodore Bernhard, Presi 
dent; L. Jaehrling, Vice President; D. Blumenfeld, Recording Secretary; W. H. Rohi 
Financial Secretary ; C. H. Ahrenberg, Treasurer. Trustees — A. F. Manegold, S. Melzer an< 
John Heymann. Present officers: Philip Schmidt, P.; C. H. Wendtland, V. P.; Otto Lindc 
P. S.; G. H. Wenk, F. S.; Julius Goeldner, T. Trustees— D. Blumenfeld, Emil Gaebler an 
S. Melzer. There are sixty-seven members in Guttenberg Lodge. 

Watertown Turn-Verein. — Organized August 21, 1860, ''for the purpose of the cultiva 
tion and improvement of the faculties of the body and mind of its members, and the managemen 
of musical and theatrical entertainments for the benefit and amusement of the society an^ 
others." Charter members — Charles Lotz, H. Pamperin, John Weber, E. Schuenemann, F 
Fetsch, J. Leinberger, John Berg and F. Giegerich. First officers : H. Pamperin, President 
Charles Lotz, Secretary ; John Weber, Treasurer. Present officers : Henry Bieber, President 
Charles Wendtland, Vice President ; Ed Neumann, Secretai-y ; Emil Kramer, Correspondinj 
Secretary ; M. J. Schubert, Treasurer ; William Steinman, Assistant Treasurer; Nic Brueggei 
Turnwart. A large hall was erected by the society, in 1869, on South Third street, at a cos 
of $28,000. Louis Kehr is the agent. The first company of Watertown volunteers to enlist ii 
the cause of the Union was composed almost entirely of members of this society. 

Knights of Pythias. — Lincoln Lodge, No. 20. — Organized November 24, 1875. Charte 
members and first officers : John W. Ganes, P. C; John Davis, C. C; William Humphrey, V 
C; J. B. May, K. of R. and S.; William Eurhaus, M. T.; Julius Wiggenhorn, M. E.; H. B 
Quick, M. at A.; William Krause, P.; Robert Jones, I. G.; D. T. Evans, 0. G. Willian 
Babcock was also a charter member. Present officers : J. Hamlin, P. C; H. S. Howell, C. C. 
D. H. E. J. Bearhaus, V. C; William F. Brandt, K. of R. and S.; William Krause, P.; J. W 
Wiggenhorn, M. E.; William Humplireys, M. F.; R. Achtenhauzen, M. at A.; G. Exner, 
G. There are between forty and fifty members in the Lodge. 

German Order of Harugari. — Rock River Lodge, No. Ji.OJf.. — Organized January 7, 1877 
Charter members and first officers : Charles Wendtland, 0. B. ; William Krebs, U. B. ; Emil 
Kramer, Secretary ; Henry Loehr, Treasurer ; Louis Beese, Hermann Birr, Louis Ulrich 
George Mann, Henry Jaeger and Nicholas Bruegger. Present officers : Emile Kramer, X. B. 
William Krebs, 0. B. ; Nicholas Bruegger, U. B ; Henry Rosstauscher. Recording Secretary 
Hermann Graeve, Permanent Secretary : George Mann, Treasurer. There are twenty-threi 
members in the Lodge. 

Unitg Council, No. 330, Royal Arcanum. — Organized January 4. 1879, for the purposi 
of mutual insurance, regulated according to the expectancy of life, based upon the Carlisle table 
First officers: Dr. W. F. Whyte, Regent: Dr. H. T. Ebcrle, Vice Regent : Nelson W. Pierce 
Past Regent ; M. C. Ambrose. Orator ; G. A. Stallmann, Secretary ; F. B. Tuttle, Collector 
Sanford Cromwell. Treasurer. Trustees — Eugene Goeldner, Edmund Goeldner and Fran! 
Woodard ; Medical Examiners — Dr. W. C. Spalding and Dr. W. F. Whyte. Present officers 
H. T. Eberle, R. ; Eugene Goeldner, V. R. ; G. B. Lewis, P. R. ; D. B. Price, 0. ; M. C 
Ambrose, Secretary; F. B. Tuttle, C. ;'John W. Mentink, Tre;isurer ; Trustees and Medica 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 439 

Ixaminers the same as above. Unitv Council has about twenty-two members. The initiation 
)e is $5, examination $1. Upon the death of a member, $3,000 is paid to the wife or whoever 
e may liave nominated in his application for admission. As an evidence of the efficacy of the 
^stem, it is only necessary to state that the managers of the leading life insurance companies 
re warring a relentless war against it. 

Knu/hts of Honor. — Rock River Lodge, No. 330. — Organized July 24, 1876, for the pur- 
oses of mutual life insurance. First officers : Past Dictator, T. D. Kanouse ; Dictator, C. W. 
lundlett ; Vice Dictator, William Humphrey ; Assistant Dictator, F. J. Schroeter ; Chaplain, 
r. B. Lewis ; Guide, William Beurhaus ; Reporter, William L. Norris ; Financial Reporter, 
Iharles Wood; Treasurer, W. C. Spalding ; Guardian, J. W. Ganes ; Sentinel, J. F. Barber; 
'rustees — J. W. Ganes, J. F. Barber and N. W. Pierce. Present officers: W. C. Spalding, 
). ; Charles Wood, V. D. ; F. A. Coolev, A. D. ; G. B. Lewis, G. ; William L. Norris, R. ; 
\. Achtenhagen, F. R. ; D. P. Price, T'; C. W. Rundlett, G. ; Trustees— W. A. Beurhaus 
nd N. W. Pierce. 

Temple of Honor. — Organized March, 1877, for the purpose of disseminating the cause of 
nnperance. First officers : C. H. Purple, W. C. T.; Amos Baum, W. V. T.; C. W. Rundlett, 
'. W. C. T.; F. E. Woodard, W. R.; George W. Hill, W. U.; George Hope, D. U. Present 
fficers : F. E. Woodard, W. C. T.; William H. May, W. V. T.; C. W. Kundlett, P. W. 
I. T.; C. H. Purple, W. R.; George Hope, W. U.; George W. Hill, D. U. About thirty 
lembers in the Lodge. 

Young Men's Association. — Watertown has not been without her literary lights. An 
rganization of ambitious and public-spirited citizens existed at an early day, whose purpose 
as mutual mental improvement and the cultivation of oratory. But a lack of enthusiasm 
roved fotal to the objects in view, and the association ceased to exist until 1857, when, through 
le effisrts of the editor of the Democrat, it was re-organized, with the following officers : 
'resident, W. C. Spalding: Vice President, R. S. Little; Secretary, D. W. Ballou, Jr.; Treas- 
rer, W. H. Clark. The Association was duly incorporated, by an act of the Legislature, Feb- 
nary 24, 1857, and opened reading and debating rooms in the Watertown Bank Block. In 
October of the sameyear, the Association took up its quarters in Cole's Block, and, in conjunctiou 
•ith the manager of Cole's Hall, undertook the work of getting up a course of lectures. Among 
le notable men who filled dates in the course were Horace Greeley and Carl Schurz. Under 
lese auspices, on New Year's night, 1858, Mr. Greeley appeared before a large audience and 
elivered his then famous lecture, " Europe as I saw it." Commenting upon it, the editor of 
le Democrat said : " A donkey could just about as easily roar like a lion as the renowned 
hilosopher of the press could succeed in appearing and speaking like an impressive and grace- 
i\ orator. It was the matter and not the elocution tliat pleased everybody." Carl Schurz 
ictured twice before the Association, his subjects being " Democracy and Despotism in France," 
nd "Americanism." The Association soon ceased to exist, and has not since been revived, 
'his result, we believe, is not attributable to the "efl'orts" of the present honored Secretary of 
le Interior. 

St. Bernard's Temperance and Benevolent Society. — Organized March 24, 1867. Presi- 
ent ex officio, Rev. Dr. J. W. Norris, Pastor of St. Bernard's Catholic Church ; President, 
Pilliam D. Stacy ; Vice President, Thomas Moor ; Secretary, Michael Norton ; Treasurer, 
'hilip Hackett. In 1868, under the presidency of M. J. Gallagher, quite an extensive library 
as purchased for the benefit of the Society, Patrick Hackett being appointed Librarian. The 
resent officers are: James B. Murphy, President (Rev. P. J. Colovin, ex officio President); 
oseph Brooks, Vice President ; James Prindergast, Secretary ; Thomas Sullivan, Treasurer ; 
lichael Murphy, Librarian ; William Dervin, Marshal. 

St. Henry's Benevolent Society. — Organized July 15, 1867, with the following officers: 
leinhard MuUer, President (the Rev. Bernhard, ex officio President) ; Bernhard Koch, 
'^ice President ; Anton Schumacher, Secretary ; Charles Hahn, Vice Secretary ; Ferdinand 
better. Treasurer ; Trustees — John Deutz, Fridolin Rusch and Joseph Brehm. Present 



440 HISTORY OF JEFFEKSOX COUNTY. 

officers: Meinhard Muller, President (Rev. Gotschalk, ex officio President) ; Joseph Brehm,Vice 
President; John Kochler, Secretary; Casper Zeitler, "\'ice Secretary; Michael Uhleineyer, 
Treasurer; George Bub, Marshal; Trustees — Charles Hahn, Matthias Schebelack and Niels 
Yungblut. 

Fenian Brotherhood. — Organized June, 1866, with the following officers : Patrick Rogan. 
Center ; Edward Sweeney, Secretary ; Michael Owens, Treasurer ; Committee of Safety — 
Thomas Moore, Philip Hackett, M. Hennessey, John Little and T. Dervin. Most every Irish- 
man in Watertown belonged to the organization, but "their patriotic intentions were sadly 
blighted after the grand Fenian explosion in New York in 1867. 

MUSICAL AND SINGING SOCIETIES. — BAND. 

" Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast." 

The Germans are nothing if not musical. Wherever the language is spoken, the not?5 
of the accordion and the harmonica are to be heard. The most renowned sinjiers the 
world has known were of German extraction. The art of music belongs to them : it is a pari 
of their nationality. The first German singing-society in Watertown was fonnded by Frit2 
Meyer, in 1847, at the Rock River House. Its members were G. Baumann, J. Hoeffner, J. 
Schubert, H. Bertram, Mr. Hassenfeld, A. Rhiner, U. Kuhn and F. Meyer, President and 
Director. The first concert was held at the Planter's House, and the second in the Methodist 
Church, to celebrate the German revolution in 1848. The latter was a part of the proceed- 
ings of a great gala day, which concluded with a torchlight procession. Mrs. K. Schubert was 
the prima donna of the occasion. The society removed soon to the Buena Vista House, and 
afterward to Boegel's Hall, where it increased and flourished, especially after the Jussen family 
joined it. Mrs. J. Jussen and Mrs. E. Jussen (the latter a sister of Carl Schurz) were both 
excellent vocalists, and took a lively interest in the welfare of the society. Here it was that 
Charles Stoppenbach, now of Jefferson, created a great sensation by turning a rocking-chair intc 
a musical instrument, and drawing, seemingly with a violin bow, beautiful strains of a peculiar 
origin and sound out of it. The music was produced by Mr. Stoppenbach's mouth by means oi 
a comb and a piece of thin paper. After an existence of eight years, the society began to 
decline, and it disbanded in 1861. 

A new musical society had been started in 1860, by F. Hoeper, and in the spring of 1861, 
E. C. Gaebler, the present popular musical instrument dealer, organized the Philharmonic 
Society. In the fall of 1861, the two societies were consolidated, under the direction of Mr. 
Gaebler. At their first concert in January, 1862, they performed Haydn's oratorio, ''The 
Creation," and gave a concert every month during that winter. A difference of opinion having 
arisen between the active and the honorary members of the Society about its management, the 
former seceded, and on the second Saturday of July, 1862, organized the present Concordia 
Society. Mr. Gaebler has been the Director, with two short interruptions, up to the present 
time. Besides a large number of miscellaneous concerts and several operettas, the Concordia 
has performed two oratorios (Haydn's " Creation " and Romberg's " Song of the Bell,") and the 
following well-known operas : " The Village Barber," " The Magic Flute," '' Fra Diavolo," and 
" The Daughter of the Regiment." " The Magic Flute " was very successful, and the excellent 
manner of its rendition attracted wide attention. The cast of characters is well worth preserv- 
ing: Sarastro, William H. Rohr ; Tamino, E. C. Gaebler; Papageno, P. Schmidt; Queen oi 
Night, Miss E. Butterfield (now Mrs. Walworth, of Omaha) ; Pamina, Mrs. Eugene Wiggen- 
horn ; Papagena, Mrs. D. Blumenfeld ; Priests, F. Fischer and Charles Arenberg ; Ladies, 
Miss Sarah Bellack, Mrs. H. W. Rohr, Miss E. Hermann and Miss Emile Bertram. 

There have been two successful saengerfests (musical conventions) held in Watertown under 
theauspices of the Concordia Society, one in 1867, and the other in 1875. The Society has 
twice competed for prizes; the first time in 1866, in La Crosse, and again, in 1868, at Milwau- 
kee. It carried off the first prize in each instance — a silver goblet at La Crosse, and a diploma 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 441 

at Milwaukee. In 1866, the Society erected Music Hall, and, in 1874, the four-acre island in 
Rock River, between Smith's Bridge and Rough and Ready Bridge, was purchased by them, 
and named Concordia Island. About $1,000 worth of improvements have been made on the 
island, including a bridge across the river from the main land, a double bowling alley, a platform 
24x48 feet, for dancing, etc. Two thousand shade-trees have been planted on the island, and 
other improvements are in contemplation. In 1862, the Society was presented with a beautiful 
blue silk flag by the ladies of Watertown. The banner was the handiwork of Mrs. Wm. H. Rohr. 
Watertown Cornet Band. — Organized in 1870, with John Miller as Leader. The band is 
composed of the following members : Charles Noack, B flat clarionet ; William Summerfield, E 
flat clarionet ; Charles J. Wenck, E flat cornet ; A. Gritzner, B flat cornet ; Otto Noack, alto ; 
Alex. Noack, alto ; William Roeder, tenor ; Fred Pohlmann, baritone ; A. Schuelermann, tuba ; 
Frank Kartak, bass-drum ; John VVeissert, tenor-drum. The band also composes the string 
orchestra of Watertown. 

LOCAL MILITIA. 

Watertotvn Rifle Company. — "In time of peace, prepare for war" was their motto. 
They organized in May, 1851, calling themselves the Watertown Rifle Company. Oflicers : 
Henry Boegel, Captain ; Gotlieb Baumann, First Lieutenant ; C. W. Schultz, Second Lieutenant ; 
Jolm Reichert, First Sergeant. The war broke out in 1861, and when the first call for 75,000 
volunteers was made, the " Rifles " disbanded, turned their arms over to the State, and became 
peaceable citizens. Lieut. Schultz's military mien had won for him frequent promotions, and, 
at the date of disbandment, he filled the honored rank and graceful uniform of a Captain. The 
old veteran is still a resident of Watertown. 

Watertotvn Artillery. — Organized in 1853 with the following oflicers : Benjamin Camp- 
bell, Captain; John Willans, First Lieutenant; Henry Mulberger, Second Lieutenant. The 
patriotism of this company found so very few opportunities for expression that the organization 
was frequently threatened with dissolution. In 1859, new ardor was infused into its ranks by 
the election of the following officers : Henry Mulberger, Captain ; Jacob Hoeff"ner, First Lieu- 
tenant ; Charles Riedinger, Second Lieutenant. It was also re-christened, and called the Gov- 
srnor's Artillery. Disbanded when the war broke out. 

GOVERNMENT. 

Prior to February, 1839, what is now Jeff'erson County belonged to the county of Milwau- 
kee, "for judicial and other purposes." There was no real local government, under the stat- 
ates, for the early settlers of Johnson's Rapids. In November, 1838, Luther A. Cole was 
ippointed Deputy Sheriff under Owen Aldridge, Sheriff" of Milwaukee County, and remained 
IS such until February following, when Jeff'erson County was set oflT from Milwaukee County by 
let of Legislature. 

Alvin Foster was the first Sheriff" of the county, being appointed to that office by Gov. 
Dodge. At the solicitation of Patrick Rogan, Peter Rogan, James Rogan, Judge Hyer and 
several others, who were originally residents of Watertown, Jeff"erson County, N. Y., the Legis- 
ature which passed the Division Act, gave the same names to Johnson's Rapids and the new 
;ounty. At the next session of the Legislature, Jeff"erson County was duly organized and 
luthority given for the formation of a county government. John G. Oilman, a resident of 
IVatertown, was the first County Supervisor elected from this section. Dr. L. I. Barber was 
;hosen County Clerk at the same election. 

TOWN GOVERNMENT. 

Watertown continued under the county system of government until the spring of 1842, 
ivhen, in April of that year, the first election was held for town officers. The proceedings of 



442 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

the meeting of citizens assembled for that purpose are given as they appear in the town 
records : 

" At the first annual meeting of the inhabitants of the town of Watertown, Jefferson Co., 
Wisconsin Territory, held in pursuance of public notice, as required by the statute, on the 5th 
day of April, A. D. 1842, at the house of Benjamin Labaree, in said town, the following pro- 
ceedings were had, to wit: John C. Gilman was appointed Moderator, and Silas W. Newcomb, 
Clerk. 

•' It was voted that the electors present determine by ayes and noes the number of assessors 
and constables which should be elected in said town. The meeting then voted to have two con- 
stables and two assessors elected. 

" The meeting then proceeded to vote by ballot for town officers, and, upon canvassing the 
votes, the following persons having received the greatest number of votes were declared to be 
duly elected to the offices placed opposite tlieir respective names, to wit : 

"Town Supervisors — John Richards (Chairman), John T. Bailey and David Temple; 
Town Clerk, Silas W. Newcomb ; Assessors, Daniel W. Kellogg and Patrick Rogan ; Treas- 
urer, Luther A. Cole ; Collector, John A. Chadwick ; Road Commissioners, Benjamin Laba- 
ree and John B. Geaudern ; School Commissioners, John Richards, John W. Cole and John A. 
Chadwick ; Constables, Harris Gilman and Eli H. Bouton ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, 
John C. Gilman." 

Elections have been held annually ever since, with the following result : 

1843 — Supervisors, John Richards (Chairman), John T. Bailey and David Temple; Town 
Clerk, John A. Chadwick ; Collector, John Gift ; Treasurer, Luther A. Cole ; Road Commis- 
sioners, Edmund S. Bailey, Timothy Johnson and Patrick Rogan ; School Commissioners, John 
Richards. Heber Smith and George Breckenridge ; Assessors, John C. Gilman and Silas W. 
Newcomb ; Constables, Eli H. Bouton and Harris Gilman ; Sealer, James L. Fisk. 

1844 — Supervisor, George Breckenridge (Chairman), John W. Cole and David Temple. 
Justices of the Peace, (Jeorge Breckenridge, Ebenezer W. Cole and Silas Hathaway ; Town 
Clerk, John A. Chadwick; Assessors, Silas W. Newcomb and Edmund S. Bailey; Treasurer, 
Luther A. Cole; Collector, John Gibbs ; Commissioners of Highways, Joseph Bouton, Tru- 
man D. White and Benjamin Fuller ; School Commissioners, John W. Cole, Heber Smith and 
William R. Perry ; Constables, John Gibb, Otis M. Wilder and Thomas Noyes ; Sealer, George 
Smith; Overseers of Highways, Royal L. Mason (District No. 1), Isaac De Coursey (District 
No. 2), James Rogan (District No. -3), Eli H. Bouton (District No. 4), Jacob Lawrence (Dis- 
trict No. 5); Fence Viewers, Jesse Dekoy, Calvin M. Bouton and Thomas Mullin. 

1845 — Supervisors, Myron B. Williams, William R. Perry and James C. Johnson ; Town 
Clerk, William Vogonitz ; Treasurer, Stephen Stimpson ; Justices of the Peace, Myron B. Will- 
iams, John T. Bailey and Benjamin Morrison; Assessors, John A. Chadwick and Frederick 
McQuivey ; Commissioners of Highways, Patrick Rogan, Hazen M. Morrison and Sylvester 
Rudd ; School Commissioners, Stephen Jones, James C. Johnson and George Breckenridge ; 
Collector, Virgil D. Green ; Constables, Otis M. Wilder, Elisha M. Brown and Virgil D. Green ; 
Sealer, James L. Fisk ; Overseers of Highways, Zalmond Griswold (District No. 1), Edward 
Gilman (District No. 2), Timothy Johnson (District No. 3), Levi Cornic (District No. 4), H. 
B. Hawley (District No. 5) ; Fence Viewers, Thos. Gilmore, Roger Cooly and Dudley M. Hart. 

1846 — Overseers of Highways, Pliny Bassford (District No. 1). Isaac De Coursey (District 
No. 2), Asher H. Nichols (District No. 3), Levi Cornic (District No. 4), Silas Hathaway 
District No. 5), John McLaughlin (District No. 6), Otis M. Wilder (District No. 7). Super- 
visors, Myron B. Williams (Chairman), William C. Goodenow and Sylvester Rudd. Town 
Clerk. Charles C. Hamlin; Treasurer, Stephen Stimpson; Justices of the Peace, John C. Gil- 
man, John Gibb and Elisha D. Thompson ; Collector, Thomas Noyes ; .Assessors, Aaron Shultz 
and Asher B Nichols ; Commissioners of Highways, Truman D. White. Zalmond Griswold and 
John T. Bailey ; School Commissioners, DeWitt C. Hamilton, John G. Wolcot and Barrett Coon. 
Constables. Thomas Noyes, Harris Gilman and Orlando Gifford ; Sealer, James L. Fisk. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOK COUNTY. 443 

1847 — Overseer of Highways, Jonathan Crouch (DiBtrict No. 1), George Breckenridge 
(District No. 2), Timothy Johnson (District No. 3), William Barrett (District No. 4), George 
Mills (District No. 5), Francis Smith (District No. 6), Francis Doty (District No. 7). Super- 
visors, W. H. Besley (Chairman). William C. Green and Henry Waldron. Town Clerk, William 
V. Ament ; Assessors, John T. Bailey, Asher H. Nichols and Otis M. Wilder; Highway Com- 
missioners, Aaron Shultz, H. B. Hawley and William R. Perry ; School Commissioners, Tim- 
othy J. Kelly, W. G. Miller and Elihu Higgins ; Treasurer, Edward Johnson ; Collector. R. 
W. Curtiss ; Constables, R. W. Curtiss, G. D. Breckenridge and George W. Crandall ; Sealer, 
James L. Fisk. 

1848 — Supervisors, E. W. Cole (Chairman), Olcott Cheney and H. B. Hawley; Town 
Clerk, Charles W. Daniels; Treasurer, Barrett Coon ; Justices of the Peace, John D. Gilford, 
John D. Reynolds and E. W. Cole ; Assessors, William Nelson and John Richards ; Collector, 
Timothy J. Kelly ; Constables, Eudorus G. Thompson, George W. Crandall and Timothy J. 
Kelly ; Commissioners of Highways, Timothy Johnson, Peter De Coursey and Seth Higgins ; 
School Commissioners, Jonathan Crouch, J. G. Craighead and William C. Fountain ; Sealer, 
Seth Chapin. 

1849 — Supervisors, Edward Gilman (Chairman), John Q. Hull and Alonzo Piatt; Town 
Clerk, Charles W. Billings ; Assessors, Patrick Rogan ; Treasurer, T. J. Kelly ; Superintendent 
of Schools, Melancthon Hoyt; Justices of the Peace, J. J. Enos, Seth H. Higgins and William 
T. Butler; Constables, H. Gilman, A. Streeter and T. J. Kelly; Sealer, Jacob Baumann. 

1850 — Supervisors, Michael J. Gallagher (Chairman), John Q. Hull and David Mont- 
gomery ; Town Clerk, Sylvester H. Taylor ; Treasurer, T. J. Kelly ; School Superintendent, 
Melancthon Hoyt; Justices of the Peace, Seth H. Higgins, John T. Bailey, Corbian A. Abel 
and Adolphus Menges ; Assessors, John D. Gilford, John Farmer and Peter Rogan ; Constables, 
T. J. Kelly, G. W. Crandall and Aaron Streeter ; Sealer, Joseph Fisher. 

1851 — Supervisors, John Richards (Chairman), Thomas Mullen and John Q. Hull ; Town 
Clerk, S. H. Taylor; Treasurer, Aaron Shultz; Justices of the Peace, Francis Smith and 
William Giben ; School Superintendent, James Covey ; Assessor, T. J. Kelly ; Constables, 
William Powers, S. N. Walker and N. E. Nichols ; Sealer, J. W. Jones. 

1852 — Supervisors, P.V.Brown (Chairman), Thomas Mullen and Samuel L. Walker ; 
Town Clerk, E. W. Cole ; Treasurer, George D. Breckenridge ; Superintendent of Schools, 
Melancthon Hoyt ; Assessors, Walter Pease, Jr., Jonas Narracong and Ed. Mulick ; Justices 
of the Peace, Adolphus Mengis and E. W. Cole; Constables, Samuel N. Walker, Lucius Brugger 
and J. M. Bryant ; Sealer, Edward Gilman. 

1853 — Supervisors, John T. Bailey (Chairman), Edward Mulick and Robert Hass ; Town 
Clerk, H. H. Winter; Treasurer, Francis Smith; Superintendent of Schools, H. Winter; 
Assessor, John M. Clark ; Justices of the Peace, John T. Bailey, James Stafford, V. B. Mead 
and Otis M. Wilder; Constables, Frederick Schwitzkey, John Revel, John Bailey and Clark M. 
Whitney; Sealer, John Q. Hull. 

1854 — Supervisors, John Q. Hull (Chairman), V. B. Mead and Robert Hass ; Town Clerk, 
H. H. Winter; School Superintendent, H. H. Winter; Assessors, James Stafford and John 
Young; Justices of the Peace. H. H. Winter, James Stafford and Francis Smith; Treasurer, 
Francis Smith ; Constables, William Nelson, Thomas Newman, Owen Collins and Michael Far- 
ley ; Sealer, John Q. Hull. 

1855 — Supervisors, John Q. Hull (Chairman). Francis Smith and John Young; Town 
Clerk, James Stafford ; School Superintendent, William March ; Treasurer, Edward Mulick ; 
Assessors, S. N. Walker and Fred Schwitzkey; Constables, C. M. Whitney, James Bailey and 
Daniel Perry ; Sealer, John Q. Hull. 

1856 — Supervisors, A. H. Nichols (Chairman). Seneca Fuller and Charles Wollensack ; 
Town Clerk, John Kelley ; Assessors, A. H. Nichols, Charles Wollensack and T. Lenhallen ; 
School Superintendent, Charles Wilkins ; Treasurer, N. Nichols ; Constables, C. M. Whitney, 
John McLaughlin and T. Lehman ; Sealer, J. Q. Hull. 



444 HISTORY OF .TEFFEUSON COUNTY. 

1857 — Supervisors, James Stafford (Chairman), H. H. Winter and Edward Mulick ; Town 
Clerk, John Kelley ; Treasurer, Charles WoUensack ; School Superintendent, C. Wilkins ; 
Assessors, C. M. Whitney, Charles Schnapp and Joachim Cordes ; Constables, C. M. Whitney, 
V. R. Mead and John McLaughlin ; Sealer, John Young. 

1858 — Town Clerk, William Moach ; Treasurer, Brayton Whitney ; School Superintend- 
ent, Justin R. Porter ; Assessors, James Lean and Anson Hans ; Constables. Brayton Whitney, 
Isaac Grover and Robert Hass ; Justices of the Peace, Chr. Meffert, John O'Connell and 
James Stafford ; Sealer, John Young. 

1859 — Supervisors, John Q. Hull (Chairman), V. R. Mead and William Emerson; Town 
Clerk, Chr. Meffert; School Superintendent, John Kelley; Treasurer, Michael Nary; Assess- 
ors, Joachim Cordes and John Kelley ; Justices of the Peace, John Young, James Stafford and 
Edward Mulick ; Coustables, John O'Connell and E. D. Thompson ; Sealer, H. H. Winter. 

1860 — Supervisors, H. H. Winter (Chairman), V. R. Mead and Robert Hass; Town 
Clerk, Chr. Meffert; Treasurer, Fred Lehmann ; Assessor, Fred Lehmann ; Justices of the 
Peace, Chr. Meffert, James Stafford and Chas. Wilkins ; Constables, Delos Haling, August 
Strehlow and Dennis Crowley ; Sealer; Henry Byff. 

1861 — Supervisors, H. H. Winter (Chairman), Robert Hass and John Kelley ; Town 
Clerk, John Shinnick ; Treasurer, Adam Brick; School Superintendent, Charles Wilkins; 
Assessors, James Stafford and John F. Schultz ; Justices of the Peace, Orin Barnum, Ernst 
Hans and Charles Wilkins ; Constables, Delos Haling and Theodore Veidler ; Sealer, John 
Young. 

1862 — Supervisors, James Stafford (Chairman), Robert Hass and John Young; Town 
Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Treasurer, Gotleib Strehlow ; Assessor, J. Q. Hull ; Justices of the 
Peace, J. C. Kelley, William March and Robert Hass; Constables, Delos Haling, Emil Zeidler 
and John Rolk ; Sealer, Christopher Howmann. 

1863 — Supervisors, Robert Hass (Chairman), Fred Strehlow and Adam Brick ; Town 
Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Treasurer, Peter Shena ; Assessors, James Stafford and John Fink ; 
Justices of the Peace, Robert Hass, John F. Schultz and F. Wagner ; Constables, August 
Gills and William Wigand ; Scaler, John Young. 

1864 — Supervisors, Robert Hass (Chairman), V. R. Mead and Edward Mulick ; Town 
Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Treasurer, Joseph Ubinger ; Assessors, Edward Pfenninger and 
John Fink ; Justices of the Peace, William Emerson and John Young ; Constables, Fred 
Sydow and Edward Pfenninger ; Sealer, Gotleib Strehlow. 

186.") — Supervisors, William Emerson (Chairman), John Young and Emil Zeidler; Town 
Clerk, Peter Kelley ; Treasurer, William Kind ; Assessors, John Fink and Andrew Eppin- 
dorff; Justices of the Peace, Francis Smith, C. B. Wilkins and John Fink; Constables, 
Adam Brick, Hermann Schroeder and Idels Huber ; Sealer, Henry Ohm. 

1866 — Supervisors, Edward Mulick (Chairman), Emil Zeidler and Ludwig Cordes ; Town 
Clerk, Peter Kelley ; Treasurer, Fred Sydow ; Assessor, John Fink : Justices of the Peace, 
John Young, John Fink and Ludwig Cordes ; Constables, Thomas Shinnick, Hermann Wey- 
man and Adam Eppindorff; Sealer, Fred Schwitzkey. 

1867 — Supervisors, Francis Smith (Chairman), C. H. WoUensack and Emil Zeidler; Town 
Clerk, W. D. Stacy ; Treasurer, Jacob Widman ; Assessor, John Fink ; Justices of the Peace, 
C. H. WoUensack, W. D. Stacy and Emil Zeidler; Constables, Peter Scherrer, Adam Eppin- 
dorff and Adam Brick ; Sealer, H. Ohm. 

1868 — Supervisors, Thomas Shinnick (Chairman), C. H. WoUensack and V. R. Mead ; 
Town Clerk, Peter E. Kelley ; Treasurer, George Spungenberg; Assessor, John Fink; Justices 
of the Peace, W. D. Stacy, Peter E. Kelley and John Fink ; Constables, James McGeean, 
George Spungenberg and John Wahl ; Sealer, Charles WoUensack. 

1869 — Supervisors, John E. Kelley (Chairman), V. R. Mead and William Wigand; Town 
Clerk. Thomas Shinnick; Treasurer, Peter Boetcher ; Assessor, John Fink; Justices of the 
Peace, W. D. Stacy, Thomas Shinnick and Frank Smith ; Sealer, Peter Scherrer. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON^ COUNTY. 445 

1870 — (The leaf in the record book which evidently contained the names of the officera 
elected this year has been cut out.) 

1871 — -Supervisors, C. H. WoUensaek (Ohairman), Fred Bucholtz and Peter Scherrer ; 
Tov?n Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Treasurer, Chr. Straus ; Assessor, John Fink ; Justices of the 
Peace, W. D. Stacy, William Wigaiid and Fred Sydow ; Constables, Aug. Lehmann, Jacob 
Weldmann and Peter Scherrer; Sealer, Hermann Scliroeder. 

1872 — Supervisors, C. H. WoUensaek (Chairman), William Boetcher and Fred Butler ; 
Town Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Treasurer, John Klaush ; Assessor, John Fink ; Justices of 
the Peace, Frank Smith, Jacob Weidmann and Aug. Lehmann ; Constables, Charles Burchard, 
Joseph Indra and William Loefler ; Sealer, H. (_)hm. 

1873 — Supervisors, Fred Bucholtz (Clmirman), Jacob Weidmann and Peter Boetcher; Town 
Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Assessor, John Fink : Treasurer, Charles Reuner ; Justices of the 
Peace, Francis Smith, Ernest Henning, Emil Zeidler and John Klaush ; Constables, John 
Nary, Fred Schwitzkey and Franz Frederick ; Sealer, H. Ohm. 

1874 — Supervisors, Fred Bucholtz (Chairman), Jacob Weidmann and Peter Boetcher ; 
Town Clerk, Thomas Shinnick ; Assessor, John Fink ; Treasurer, Henry Lines ; Justices of 
the Peace, Owen Collins, C. B. Wilkins, Henry Groth and Terrance Flannagan ; Constables, 
William Narv, Aug Kropf and Ernst Henning ; Sealer, H. Ohm. 

1875 — Supervisors, C. H. WoUensaek (Chairman), Fred Vergenz and August Lehmann; 
Town Clerk, Thomas Shinnick; Assessor, John Fink; Treasurer, William Smith; Justices of 
the Peace, Jacob Weidmann, Fred Rabboch, John Smith and Thomas Shinnick ; Constables, 
Daniel Pfifer, Emil Witte, Henry Linnes and Ernst Tactha; Sealer, Peter Boetcher. 

1876 — Supervisors, C. H. WoUensaek (Chairman), August Lehmann and Fred Vergenz ; 
Town Clerk, John Fink; Treasurer, William Wigand; Assessor, Fred Sydow; Justices of the 
Peace, Richard Dront, John Nary, C. H. WoUensaek and Francis Smith; Constables, Michael 
Collins, Herman Wiseman and John Klaush ; Sealer, H. Ohm. 

1877 — Supervisors, Charles WoUensaek (Chairman), Peter Scherrer and Christian Hen- 
ning; Town Clerk, John Fink; Assessor, Fred Sydow; Treasurer, Fred Otto; Justices of the 
Peace, Emil Zeidler, Richard Sutton, Peter Dorscheit and Eugene Rogan ; Constables, Her- 
mann Karberg, John Lange and Peter GraefF; Sealer. H. Ohm. 

1878 — Supervisors, Thomas Shinnick (Chairman), Peter Scherrer and Christian Henning; 
Town Clerk, Emil Witte; Assessor, Fred Sydow; Treasurer, Frederick Dietzel; Justices of 
the Peace, C. H. WoUensaek, William Wigand and T. Korberg; Constables, Henry Linnes, 
William Smith and A. Bergmann ; Sealer, H. Ohm. 

1879 — Supervisors — C. H. WoUensaek (Chairman), Henry Linnes and T. W. Sydow; 
Town Clerk, Emil Witte; Treasurer, J. T. Moran ; Assessor, John Klausch; Justices of the 
Peace, Fred Sydow, Fr. Smith and Christian Henning ; Constables, Fr. Bottler and William 
Schmidt; Sealer, Thomas Shinnick. 

The town of Watertown, for the most part, is well settled up by a very industrious and 
frugal class of farmers. Wheat, barley, corn, oats, sorghum and hops are the chief products. 
The beautiful Rock River passes almost directly through its center, affording natural irrigation 
to many acres of fine meadow land. The river banks on either side are lined with groves of 
splendid oaks, and ash, and maple, which annually furnish many thousand feet of lumber for 
ordinary building purposes and large quantities of fuel for the winter's fires. 

THE VILLA(iE OF W.\TERTOWN. 

Watertown was incorporated as a village March 7, 1849, by an act of the Legislature, and 
on the •22d day of the same month and year, the village charter was adopted, at an election held 
for that purpose, by a vote of 119 " for corporation " and 12 " against." The village was 
bounded by the survey lines of Section 4, Town 8 north. Range 15 east, and was divided into 
two wards — all that part of the said Section 4 lying on the east side of Rock River being 



446 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

and designated as the East Ward, and all that part of the same section lying on the west side of 
Rock River constituting the West Ward. 

The act of incorporation recognized the village by the name or title of " the President and 
Trustees of the village of Watertown." Following is the result of the first election for village 
officers : 

For President : Luther A. Cole — East Ward, 102 votes ; West Ward, 14 votes. Alcott 
Cheeney — East Ward, 71 votes; West Ward, 56 votes. Cheeney's majority, 11 votes. 

For Treasurer: Edward Johnson — East Ward, 103 votes; West Ward, 39 votes. Will- 
iam T. Butler — East Ward, 61 votes ; West Ward, 27 votes. L. E. Boomer — West Ward, 1 
vote. Johnson's majority, 52 votes. 

For Trustees: East Ward — James J. Kier, 113 votes ; Aaron Shultz, 112 votes ; Alcott 
Cheeney, 97 votes; Edward Oilman, 59 votes; Jacob Baumann, 59 votes; Theodore Prentiss, 
53 votes ; David Montgomery, 1 vote ; David Baumann, 1 vote. West Ward — Michael J. Gal- 
lagher, 65 votes ; Daniel Jones, 42 votes ; Patrick Rogan, 37 votes ; Simeon Ford, 31 votes ; 
James Cody, 29 votes ; Henry E. Muess, 1 vote ; Benjamin F. Fay, 1 vote ; John Forsyth, 1 
vote ; Edward Johnson, 1 vote. 

It appearing that there was a vacancy in the Board of Trustees, occasioned by the refusal 
of Mr. Cheeney (who was also elected as President) to qualify as a Trustee for the East Ward, 
the Trustees for said ward appointed Asher H. Nichols to fill such vacancy. 

There being three Trustees to be chosen from each ward, Messrs. Kier, Sbultz, Nichols, 
Gallagher, Jones and Rogan were declared to have received the highest number of votes for 
such office. 

The first business of the Board was the election, by ballot, of a Village Clerk and Village 
Marshal, and Samuel Baird and Joseph Giles, respectively, were chosen for those positions. 

Annual elections were held for village officers thereafter, with the following results : 

March i?5, 1850. — For President, Benjamin F. Fay; for Treasurer, Alcott Cheeney; 
for Trustees — East Ward, Aaron Shultz, Charles C. Hamlin and Walter Andrews; West 
Ward, Patrick Rogan, Amos Bennett and John Becher. Adolphus Menges was appointed 
Clerk of this Board. 

March 31, 1851. — For President, Edward Oilman ; for Treasurer, John Looby ; for 
Trustees — East Ward, Aaron Shultz, Henry Boegel and William V. Ament; West Ward, John 
D. Reynolds, Bernard O'Byrne and Edward Johnson. Mr. Menges was also Clerk of this 
Board. 

March 29, 1852. — For President, Peter Rogan ; for Treasurer, Henry Boegel ; Trustees — 
East Ward, E. W. Cole. Edward Oilman and William S. Turner ; West Ward, Patrick Rogan, 
A. Bennett and J. L. Carter ; Clerk of the Board, A. Menges, re-appointed. 

INCORPORATED AS A CITY. 

The marvelous growth of Watertown naturally inspired its citizens with the idea that it 
should become an incorporated city. Accordingly, at a meeting of the Village Trustees, held 
January 24, 1853, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : 

Re.iolrfd, That the President appoint a committee of three, whose duty it shall be to take measures to procure 
the drawing of a city charter of this village, and to take such measures as they may deem proper to secure the passage 
of said charier at the present session of the Legislature. 

Retotv'd. That the sum of ?-iO be. and the same is hereby, appropriated out of the general fund to defray the 
necessary expenses caused thereby. 

A charter being drawn, it was passed by the Legislature, and Watertown became a full- 
fledged city. At an election held on April 5, 1853, under that charter, the following city offi- 
cers were elected : 

Executive — Mayor, Theodore Prentiss ; Clerk, Joseph D. Pease ; Treasurer, John Kelly ; 
Assessor, J. A. Chadwick ; Marshal, Lucius Brugger ; Superintendent of Schools, Daniel Hall; 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUKTY. 447 

Municipal Judge, William T. Butler. First Ward Officers — Aldermen, Augustus F. Cady and 
John Luber ; Justice of the Peace, Henry Mulberger ; Constable, Thomas Elmer ; Supervisor, 
L. E. Boomer. Second Ward Officers — Aldermen, Henry Boyd and Edward Oilman ; Justice 
of the Peace, Theodore Bernhardt ; Constable, Francis Belrose ; Supervisor, L. E. Boomer. 
Third Ward Officers — Aldermen, Daniel Jones and Simeon Ford ; Justice of the Peace. John 
Chadwick ; Constable, Jesse Reinhart ; Supervisor, Walter Pease, Jr. Fourth Ward Officers — 
Aldermen, M. J. Gallagher and Joseph Fischer; Justice of the Peace, James O'Keefe; Con- 
stable, James Griffin ; Supervisor, Patrick Rogan. Fifth Ward Officers — Aldermen, William 
M. Dennis and Jacob Baumann ; Justice of the Peace, George G. King ; Constable, William 
Greve ; Supervisor, Theodore Ravis. Sixth Ward Officers — Aldermen, John W. Cole and 
Frederick Hermann ; Justice of the Peace, Charles Beckmann ; Constable, Edward Pfenninger ; 
Supervisor, Ira D. Lounsbury. 

The second election under the city charter was held April 4, 1854, with the following result : 

Executive — Mayor, Theodore Prentiss ; Clerk, Henry Mulberger ; Treasurer, J. Becker ; 
Marshal, Ernest Off; Assessor, Walter Pease, Jr.; Superintendent of Schools, James Cody. 
First Ward Officers — Aldermen, John Luber and Alcott Cheeney ; Constable, E. M. Brown ; Super- 
visor, Myron B. Williams. Second Ward Officers — Aldermen, Henry Bertram and Henry 
Maldanner ; Justice of the Peace, E. Rothe ; Constable, Francis Belrose ; Supervisor, Myron 
B. Williams. Third Ward Officers — Aldermen, Daniel Jones and Peter Rogan ; Justice of the 
Peace, Daniel Miller : Constable, Michael Cummings ; Supervisor, Patrick Rogan. Fourth 
Ward Officers — Aldermen, Patrick Rogan and Martin Hoff; Justice of the Peace, Theodore 
Bernhardt ; Constable, Samuel Friend ; Supervisor, Patrick Rogan. Fifth Wird Officers — 
Aldermen, Jacob Beaumann and Jacob Staub ; Justice of the Peace, G. G. King ; Constable, 
Louis Beahr ; Supervisor, George Perry. Sixth Ward Officers — Aldermen, Charles Beckmann 
and J. A. Koch ; Constable, Edward Pfenninger ; Supervisor, Philip Piper. 

The Legislature of 1854 amended the city charter so as to permit the following named 
Aldermen to hold office two years from the date of their election, April, 1854 : First Ward, 
Alcott Cheeney; Second, Henry Maldanner ; Third, Peter Rogan ; Fourth, Martin Hoff ; Fifth, 
Jacob Baumann ; Sixth, Charles Beckmann. 

Owing to the incomplete condition of the records, it is impossible to give a list of the 
officers by wards chosen at the election of April, 1855. It is shown, however, that John W. 
Cole was chosen Mayor ; Bernard O'Byrne, Treasurer ; Theodore Bernhard, Clerk, and John 
Ford, Superintendent of Schools. The new Board of Aldermen is believed to have been as 
follows : Peter V. Brown, E. W. Ford, Patrick Rogan, Gustavus Werlich, John C. Halliger, 
Edward Oilman, and the si.x '" hold-overs " mentioned above. 

At the election of April 1, 1856, William Chappel was chosen Mayor; John Luber, 
Treasurer ; Ernest Off, Marshal ; P. V. Brown, Assessor, and Calvin B. Skinner, School 
Superintendent ; Aldermen — A. L. Pritchard, Henry Bertram, Daniel Collins, Bernard 
O'Byrne, John Becker, Judson Prentice ; Supervisors — Myron B. Williams, Jacob Enos, Will- 
iam T. Butler, Amos Bennett, William M. Dennis, Charles Beckmann. 

The result of the charter election of 1857 is not given in the record, but the subsequent 
proceedings of the Council show that Henry Bertram was elected to the office of Mayor, and 
D. S. Chadwick chosen Treasurer. The Board of Aldermen was as follows : Gustavus Werlich, 
A. L. Prichard, Judson Prentice, Amos Steck, Carl Schurz (now Secretary of the Interior under 
President Hayes), Edward Johnson, Emile Rothe, John Becker, M. Quigley, Bernard O'Byrne, 
A. Schutz, and Daniel Collins. 

The following individuals were chosen as the servants of the people of Watertown in 1858 : 
Mayor, Henry Bertram ; Treasurer, D. S. Chadwick ; Marshal, Harris Oilman. Justices of 
the Peace — Emile Rothe, Thomas M. Knox and Charles Beckmann. Aldermen — Joseph Lin- 
don, William Dutcher, Daniel Jones, Amos Bennett, Jacob Baumann and Judson Prentice. 
Supervisors — Myron B. Williams, Henry Mulberger, William T. Butler, Philip Piper. Asses- 
sors — Christopher Schroeder, Gottlieb Baumann and Thomas Moore. Constables — Charles II. 



448 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Morehouse, Louis Beahr, Patrick Green, William Hanley, John Grant and Edward Pfenninger. 
Railroad Commissioners — Charles R. Gill, Gustavus Schnasse. James Regan, Jacob Heber, 
Charles J. Palme and Frederick Herrmann. Police Justice — Thomas M. Knox. 

In 1859, the officers of the city of Watertown were: Mayor, Calvin B. Skinner; Treas- 
urer, Henry Bertram ; Marshal, August Tanck ; Police Justice, Jonathan A. Hadley. Alder- 
men — Franklin E. Shandrew, C. Shroeder, J. P. Van Alstine (two years), Patrick Rogan, 
Stephen Davis, William M. Dennis, H. Vandell, D. S. Chadwick and rf. J. Steel. Supervisors 
G. Breckenridge, L. J. Fribert, Patrick Rogan and Charles Beckmann. Assessors — William C. 
Spalding, Jacob Hoefner, David Collins, John Becker, Hezekiah Flinn, F. Herrmann, A. S. 
Wood and J. A. Chadwick. Railroad Commissioners — Thomas Dervin. F. Gebhard, James 
Rogan, F. Rasch, Jacob Baumann, Charles Walther. Henry Steger and Walter Pease. Con- 
stables — Thomas Holland, Louis Beahr, Michael Cummings, Daniel Nolan, John Bronndt, E. 
Pfenninger, Matthias Hass and H. Meyer. 

Mathew Norton was Clerk during this administration, that oflSce being filled by vote of the 
Aldermen. 

At the charter election of 1860, Myron B. Williams was chosen Mayor ; Henry Bertram, 
Treasurer, and August Tanck, Marshal. Aldermen — Theodore Prentiss, Christian May, S. J. 
Steel, Jacob Weber, Amos Baum, Judson Prentice and Thomas Elmore. Assessors — Frederick 
Hermann, Charles Goldner and John Reidinger. Sealer of Weights and Measures, John 
O'Connor. School Commissioners — Hiram Barber, Jr., Peter Seaburg, Daniel Collins, William 
Bieber, Jacob Baumann, Henry Lindermann and Henry Steger. Supervisors — Edmund 
Sweeney, Emile Rothe, Patrick Rogan and Philip Piper. Railroad Commissioner, S. S. 
Merrill. Justices of the Peace — Charles M. Ducasse, Bernard Miller and L. Kube. Consta- 
bles — John Haines, Christian Hansey, Michael Cummings, David Welsh, John Brandt, Charles 
Walther and J. A. Chadwick. Clerk (appointed), Gustave Werlich. 

The city government for 1861 was as follows: Mayor, Myron B. Williams; Treasurer, 
Charles Beckmann; Marshal, John Haines. Aldermen — William C. Spalding. James Larkin, 
Thomas Moore, James Cody, William M. Dennis, August Schutz and James Bergen. Super- 
visors — Edmund Sweeney, Emile Rothe, Patrick Rogan and Philip Piper. Assessors — Matthew 
Norton, John Riedinger and Frederick Herrmann. Constables — Benjamin Cunningham, A. 
Schultz, Michael Cummings, Henry Bossinger, Simon Marchant, Charles Walther and Chris- 
topher darken. Sealer of Weights and Measures, Frederick Herrmann. City Surveyor 
(elected by the Board), H. Steger ; City Clerk (elected by the Board), G. Werlich. School 
Commissioners — H. Steger, Henry Bertram, M. McHugh, Hiram Barber, Jr. 

In 1862, William M. Dennis was elected Mayor ; Joseph G. Pease, Treasurer ; Ch. Par- 
aski, Marshal ; Frederick Hermann, Assessor, and John Williams, Sealer of Weights and 
Measures. Aldermen — Ira E. Leonard, Frederick Fischer, Michael McHugh, Peter V. Brown, 
D. Kusel, Jr., Charles Stimm and Darius S. Gibbs. Justices of the Peace — C. M. Ducasse, 
Bernhard Miller and Charles Beckmann. School Commissioners — William Bieber, Francis 
O'Rourke and John Habbegger. Constables — W. S. Rowe, Francis Belrose, James McBan, 
James Griffin, Simon Marchand, C. Walther and Christopher Clarkins. Gustavus Werlich was 
re-appointed City Clerk. 

In 1863, Watertown was governed by the following individuals: Mayor, Joseph Lindon ; 
Treasurer, J. G. Pease ; Assessor, T. Elmore : Marshal, J. Staub ; Sealer, P. March. Alder- 
men — C. B. Skinner, A. Pfundheller, Patrick Rogan, H. Graves, W. M. Dennis, C. Beckmann, 
T. H. Breckenridge and J. Bergen. School Commissioners — C. A. Sprague, M. Mcllugh, C. 
Jacobi and J. Mooney. Constables — Asher Nichols, John Jung, J. McRann, M. Burke, S. 
Marchand, C. Walther and M. McGraw. Amos Baum succeeded Mr. Werlich as City Clerk. 

In 1864, Joseph Lindon was re-elected to the Mayoralty, Gustavus Schnasse was 
chosen Treasurer; John Haines, Marshal; F. Hermann, Assessor; John O'Connor, Sealer. 
Aldermen — Theodore Prentiss, J. T. Moak, Aaron Stein, Thomas Baxter, John Riedinger, 
Louis Kellermann, F. Brandt and James Bergen. Justices of the Peace — Charles M. Ducasse, 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 449 

Henry Graves and Charles Beckmann. School Commissioners — William Bieber, Francis 
O'Rourke and H. C. Tack. Constables — John C. Rhodes, F. Belrose, John Cummings, Patrick 
McHugh, John Staub, F. Berg and Andrew Dunnigan. Gustavus Werlich succeeded to the 
City Clerkship. 

At the charter election of 1865, Robert Howell was chosen for the office of Mayor; Gus- 
tavus Schnasse re-elected Treasurer; John O'Connor, Sealer, and Frederick Hermann and 
Patrick Rogan, Assessors. Aldermen — Justus T. Moak, Henry Mulberger, Amos Baum, 
Bernard O'Byi-ne, William M. Dennis, Charles Beckmann, Philip Quintmeyer and Herbert Breck- 
enridge. School Commissioners — Charles A. Sprague, Michael McHugh, August Bornschein 
and John Mooney. Constables — Joseph Giles, Francis McRan, Fred. Misegades, John Brandt, 
Henry Tiemann and Peter Cronie. Gustavus Werlich, re-appointed Clerk. 

In April, 1866, William M. Dennis was re-elected Mayor; F. Hermann, Treasurer: C. 
Beckman, Assessor. Aldermen — Theodore Prentiss, Christian Meyer, Thomas Moore, John 
Riedinger, August Tanck, Joseph Saleck and II. Breckenridge. Justices of the Peace — Charles 
M. Ducasse, Bernhard Miller, August Tanck and Charles Beckmann. Constables — Joseph 
Merkle, T. Fischer, Michael McHugh, W. D. Sprrcsser, John Brandt, Henry Tiemann and 
George Reinhart. 

The following officers were elected for 1867 : Mayor, Henry Mulberger ; Treasurer, T. 
Hermann ; Assessor, August Tanck ; Sealer, L. Jaehrling. Aldermen — Justus T. Moak, Charles 
M. Ducasse, Joseph Lindon, Richard Jones, A. Bornschein, Charles Beckmann and David S. 
Chadwick. School Commissioners — Henry Bieber, Michael McHugh, F. Hartwig and John 
McGolrick. Constables — C. F. Krebs, L. Baehr, M. F. Paulfranz, H. Tiemann and George 
Reinhart. Marshal (by the Board). E. Off; City Clerk (by the Board), A. Francl. At this 
election, Orsamus Cole received 273 votes for Associate Justice. 

In 1868, Charles Beckmann was elected Mayor ; S. Stallmann, Treasurer ; F. Hermann, 
Assessor. Aldermen — J. B. Gillett, II. Bertram, T. Moore, B. O'Byrne, F. Hartwig, A. Weg- 
emann and Mr. Hennessey. Justices of the Peace — C. M. Ducasse, A. Francl, C. F. Krebs, 
B. Miller, J. Shaller and C. Beckmann. School Commissioners — J. F. Wiesemann, Jacob 
Weber and D. Blumenfeld. Constables — P. Holland, T. Kreagen, J. Brandt, A. Melcher, J. 
H. Kehr and J. O'Brien. A. Francl continued to hold the office of Clerk by appointment, and 
E. Off was re-appointed Marshal. 

In the election of 1869, S. S. Discon heads the ticket for Chief Justice, and Harlow Pease 
for County Judge, both of whom were elected. City Ticket (Executive) — Mayor, John Rich- 
ards ; Treasurer, L. Stahlmann ; Assessor, A. Tanck ; Sealer, B. Riley. Aldermen — M. B. 
Williams, Ch. Meyer, Julius Wiesemann, John Devy, Richard Jones, H. S. Pierrepont, F. 
Hartwig, John C. Halliger and William Olin. School Commissioners — Charles Goeldner, 
P. Malloy, Levi Schofield and 0. Quintmeyer. Justice of the Peace, Jacob Schaller. Con- 
stables — John Muth, K. Bassinger, Jacob Wagner and L. Hamlin. A. Francl continued in 
office as Clerk ; also. E. Off as City Marshal. Judson Prentice and Eraile Rothe were appointed 
to the positions of City Surveyor and City Attorney respectively. 

The Legislature having previously passed " An act to enable the city of Watertown to settle 
with her creditors," the question was voted upon at this election, and defeated by a majority 
of 294. 

Henry Bertram was elected Mayor in 1870 ; Treasurer, Michael Quigley : Assessors, 
Charles Beckmann and Matthew Norton ; Sealer, B. Reily. Aldermen — T. Prentiss, L. Jaehr- 
ling, P. Devy, Thomas Baxter, F. Kusel, Jr., S. S. Woodard, J. Reisdorf, A. Gradewohl, D. 
Blumenfeld, U. Habbegger, John McCully and F. H. Breckenridge. Justices of the Peace — 
Charles M. Ducasse, Patrick Rogan, Jacob Schaller and Charles Beckmann. School Commis- 
sioners — Philip Schmidt, Matthew Norton and William Dobratz. Supervisors — William H. 
Rohr, William Bieber, Benjamin Nute, Jacob Weber, W. M. Dennis, F. Hermann and Alanson 
Boomer. [The names of those elected to the office of Supervisor in the city of Watertown do not 
appear in the record from 1861 to 1870.] Constables— John Reichardt, W. Van Nees, F. 



450 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

McRan, J. S. Kube, J. H. Koch and John Falkenbridge. Clerk, A Francl (re-appointed) ; 
Marshal, E. Oif (re-appointed). 

In 1871, Theodore Prentiss was again called to guide the municipal destinies of Watertown. 
F. Meyer was elected Treasurer; Charles Beckmann and M. Norton, re-elected Assessors. Alder- 
men — J. T. Moak, Ch. Meyer, D. Kehr, H. Bertram, George Ryan, R. Jones, H. Bassinger 
and M. Sullivan. Supervisors — William H. Rohr, William Bieber, Thomas Baxter. Jacob Weber, 
William M. Dennis, F. Hermann and A. Boomer. School Commissioners — H. Sleeper, Amos 
Baum, A. Gradewohl and F. Breckenridge. Commissioners of the Public Debt — G. Weriich, 
W. Pease, F. Hartwig and P. Quentmeyer. Justice of the Peace, AVilliam P. Brown. Con- 
stables — John Reichardt, Thomas Dougherty and John L. Kube. Francl and Off remained in 
oflSce. 

The result of the election in 1872 was as follows: Mayor, Fred Kusel. Treasurer, Fred 
Meyer. Assessors, Charles Beckmann and M. Gallagher. Aldermen — C. Mayer, William Bie- 
ber, Thomas Moore, George Ryan, Richard Jones, T. Becker, L. Reisdorf, F. Hartwig, J. Pren- 
tice, William Weber, James McCuUy and John McGolrick. Supervisors — D. W. Ballou, E 
Grossman, Daniel Jone.s, E. Sweeney, W. M. Dennis, F. Hermann and F. H. Breckenridge. 
Justices of the Peace — C. M. Ducasse, C. F. Krebs, J. C. Halliger and Charles Beckmann. 
School Commissioners — J. Benkendorf, J. W^eber and F. Voss. Commissioners of the Public 
Debt — C. Schroeder, M. G. Gallagher and U. Habbegger. Constables — E. Oft", George Reuse, 
John Reichardt, James McRan, J. L. Kube and Ph. Manz. Appointed by Board — City Clerk, 
A. Francl; City Marshal. E. Oif; City Surveyor, Judson Prentice. 

In 187;'5, Christian Meyer was elected Mayor; William Schulte, Treasurer; Charles Beck- 
mann and August Volkmann, Assessors. Aldermen — Eugene W^iggenhorn, H. Bertram, Will- 
iam Bieber, Joseph Lindon, F. Kusel, Henry Winkenwerder, John Alwart and Luther May. 
Supervisors — D. W. Ballou, William Volckmann, T. Ba.xter, Edward Sweeney, Ferdinand Hart- 
wig, Fred Hermann and H. F. Breckenridge. Justice of the Peace, John L. Kube. School 
Commissioners — F. Specht, Amos Baum, H. Wilber and A. P. Wood. Commissioners of tiie 
Public Debt — G. Weriich, F. Fischer, W. Pease, William Spence and P. Quentmeyer. Con- 
stables — Sylvester Burns, John Reichai-dt, James McRan, Casper Schilling and P. Dougherty. 
Clerk (appointed), A. Tanck. Marshal (appointed), John Reichardt. 

Municipal honors were accorded as follows, in 1874: Mayor, Hezekiah Flinn (the first 
Milesian who succeeded to this oihce in Watertov. ii) ; Treasurer, William Schulte; Assessors, 
August Volckmann and M. J. Gallagher. Aldermen — C. Mayer, C. Schroeder, Thomas Moore, 
H. Meyer. James McHugh, F. Misegades, H. Wilbur, H. Winkenwerder, F. Mertzke, J. Alwart, 
F. Block and William Olin. Supervisors — D. W^. Ballou, William Volckmann. Thomas Ba.xter, 
Edmund Sweeney, F. Hartwig, Fred Hermann and F. H. Breckenridge. School Commissioners 
— William Bieber. Jacob W-eber and U. Habbegger. Commissioners of the Public Debt — Joiin 
Muth, M. J. Gallagher and L. Vogel. Justices of the Peace — C. M. Ducasse, Charles F. Krebs, 
John L. Kube and Chai'les Beckmann. Constables — S. Burns, William Wilson, James McRan, 
J. Rissmeyer, P. Dougherty and John O'Brien. P. Devy was appointed Clerk, and P. Dougherty, 
Marshall. 

In 1875, Watertown had the following oflRcers : Mayor. Jacob Weber; Treasurer, William 
Schulte ; Assessors, Charles Beckmann, and Michael J. Gallagher. Aldermen — Seniors, J. 
T. Moak, H. Pritzlaif. Piiilip Quentmeyer, Stephen S. Woodard, Marshall J. Woodard, F. 
Maerzke and D. S. Chadwick ; Juniors, Eugene Wiggenliorn, J. Benkendorf, G. B. Lewis, John 
Weber, L. Kellermann, J. Alwart and William Olin. Supervisors (three from each ward, 
in accordance with the act of an Legislature, approved March 5, 1875 — J. B. Bennett, C. W. 
Schulz, John Ford, A. F. Mueller, C. Ahrenberg, Joseph Bursinger, Edward Johnson, Henry 
Rice, John O'Neill, Edmund Sweeney, F. Kusel, Patrick Rogan, Frank Koenig, J. Pritzlaff, 
Caspar Shilling, Charles Ruebhausen, William Henze, Louis Vogei, F. H. Breckenridge, H. 
Frederick, Amos P. Wood. Commissioners of the Public Debt — Gustavus AVerlich, Walter 
Pease, John Bauraaiin, A. Volckmann and Simon Ford. School Commissioners — Fred Specht, 



,,,^,»»e=^&. 




X 



Vi 




WAJEHlOViH 




HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 453 

J. Mowder, WHliam Herbst and M. Sullivan. Constables — Sylvester Burns, Joachim Cordes, 
Thomas Heil, James McRan, Henry Bogel, Philip Dougherty and Jacob Reinhard. A. 
Tanck, and J. F. Barber were appointed to the positions of City Clerk and City Marshal respect- 
ively. 

Jacob Weber was re-elected Mayor in 1876 ; Treasurer, August Block, ; Assessors, M. J. 
Gallagher and August Block. Aldermen — Seniors, William Rohr, Henry Pritzlaff, P. C. 
Quentmeyer, S. S. Woodard, H. Wilber, Fred Maerzke and Fred Block ; Juniors, J. B. Bennett, 
John Muth, G. B. Lewis, Timothy DriscoU, H. Winkenwerder, J. Alwart and William Olin. 
Supervisors — D. W. Ballou, Charles Schultz, Philip Hackett, A. Miller, J. Bursinger, C. Ahren- 
berg, E. Johnson, C. J. O'Neill, John Weber, F. Kusel, Peter Malloy, John McGraw, F. Hart- 
wig, F. Ott, L. Reisdorf, Ch. Ruebhausen, L. Vogel, H. Peters, H. Breckenridge, A. P. Wood 
and A. Dunnigan. School Commissioners — Emil Gaebler, James McHugh, and August Volck- 
mann. Commissioners of the Public Debt — J. Benkendorf, B. O'Byrne, Philip Dougherty 
md A. Boomer. Justices of the Peace — H. Bieber, Henry Rice, Theodore Schroeder, John 
McGolrick, C. M. Ducasse, Charles F. Krebs and Charles Beckmann. Constables — Sylvester 
Burns, J. Reichert, J. M. Bartlett, J. Riesmeier, Jacob Schaller and P. Dougherty. Appoint- 
ments — A.' Tanck, City Clerk ; H. Cunningham, City Marshal. 

The municipal officers for 1877 were : Mayor, Charles Ruebhausen ; Treasurer, Angus: Block ; 
Assessors, August Volckman and M. J. Gallagher. Aldermen — Seniors, Charles Goethe, A. 
Zickert, H. Flinn, F. Kusel, H. Wilber, F. Maerzke and William Olin : Juniors, D. B. Fute, F. 
Stylow, M. McHugh, H. Winkenwerder, J. Alwart and G. Rinehardt. Supervisors — (one 
From each ward), S. E. Randall, A. Wegemann, H. Mulberger, F. P. Brook, F. Koenig, C. 
Ruebhausen and F. H. Breckenridge. Roadmasters — L. Prochazka, H. Muselmann, J. 
Klever, M. Murphy. John Baumann, F. Hermann and Charles McDermott. Justices of the 
Peace — Samuel Baird, Simon Melzer, M. Ambrose, Patrick Rogan, J. L. Kube and Charles 
Beckmann. School Commissioners — Frederick Specht, Patrick McCabe, H. Wilber and D. S. 
Chadwick. Commissioners of the Public Debt — Charles Goeldner, A. W. Carlin, F. I^artwig 
md Michael Moran. Constables — S. Burns, John Reichart, John Blair, W. F. March, Henry 
Bode, P. Dougherty and George Forkenbridge. Appointments — City Clerk, Charles Beck- 
mann; City Marshal, D. Kehr. 

In 1878, the city government was as follows: Mayor, Charles Ruebhausen ; Treasurer, 
Anton Schumacher; Assessors, M. J. Gallagher and Charles Noack. Aldermen — Seniors, J. 
B. Bennett, A. F. Miller, H. Flinn, F. Kusel, Albert Baumann, F. Maerzke and D. Crowley ; 
Juniors, Dwight Nute, Julius Wiesmann, Joseph Lindon, Richard Jones, Franz Lathh;immer, 
Joachim Alwart and H. Doberstein. Supervisors — John Davis, William Bieber, Henry Muel- 
Derger, W. D. Stacy, John Bird, F. Hermann and A. P. Wood. Justices of the Peace — 
Charles Arnold, M. Ambrose, J. L. Kube and Z. C. Cole. School Commissioners — Emil C. 
Glaebler, Edmund Sweeney and Charles Ruebhausen. Commissioners of the Public Debt — 
rhomas McCabe and Ulrich Habhegger. Constables — William Krebs, John Reichart, S. Ford. 
tVilliam Martsch, Sebastian Monrian, Henry Rassenger and George Forkenbridge. Appoint- 
nents — City Clerk, Charles Beckmann ; City Marshal, D. Kehr. 

At the charter election of April last, the following individuals were chosen to guide the 
nunicipal destinies of Watertown for 1879: Mayor, F. Kusel; Treasurer, A. Schumacher; 
Assessors, M. J. Gallagher and Cliarles Noack. Aldermen — Seniors, John Habbegger, H. F. 
Vliller, Thomas Baxter, Richard Jones, F. Hartwig, William Voss and Daniel Crowley ; Jun- 
ors, William Krause, Julius Weisemann, Adolphus Blair, Thomas McCabe, Henry Jaeger, 
Fohn Muth and F. Henoch. Supervisors — H. S. Howell, William Bieber, Henry Muelberger, 
F. P. Brook, Frank Koenig, Ulrich Habhegger and A. P. Wood. School Commis.°ioners — 
Eugene Wiggenhorn, A. Salliday, H. Wilber and John McGolrick. Commissioners of the 
Public Debt — A. K. M. Pickert and A. W. Carlin. Justices of the Peace — John C. Halliger, 
VT. Ambrose and Charles Beckmann. Constables — William Krebs, John Reichart, Peter Blair, 
1 Horn, Peter Euper, P. Dougherty and Luke Dunnigan. 

I 



454 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUXTY. 

At the last meeting of the Council of 1878, it appears from the report of the City Mar- 
shal, that, during the month of March, 1879, four persons were arrested for vagrancy b_v that 
officer and brought before Justice of the Peace Arnold, who discharged them with the injunc- 
tion to sin no more ; also, one person for violating a city ordinance, who was fined §5. The 
report of William Wilson, Deputy Marshal, shows that seventeen persons were arrested as 
vagrants by that officer, sixteen of whom were discharged and one committed to jail at hard 
labor ; also, three persons were arrested on charges of violating a city ordinance, one being 
dismissed and the other two fined §3 each. 

At the first meeting of the new Council, Alderman Vo.ss offered the following : 

Resolved, That the salaries of the different city officers hereinafter named be, and they are hereby, fixed for ihe 
ensuing year as follows: Treasurer, $500; Marshal, $400; City Clerk, $400 ; Superintendent of Public Schools, 
$800. 

The salaries of night-watchmen were also fixed at $30 per month during the summer, and 
$35 during winter. 

A communication from the School Board, estimating the amount necessary for the support 
of the schools during the coming year, to be raised by taxation, at $8,500, was laid over. 

The following resolution, offered by Alderman Voss, was adopted : 

Resolved, That there be, and is hereby, levied upon all the taxable properly in the city of Wnlertown, in addi- 
tion to the taxes now levied in said city by Section 3, Chapter 204. of the private and local laws of Wisconsin, passed 
March 3, 1871, the following taxes for city, school, ward and poor purposes for the year IST'J. to wit : For the cur- 
rent expenses of the city general government, 5 mills on the dollar ; for school purposes, none : upon the First and 
Third Wards, for ward purposes, J mill on the dollar ; upon the Sixth and Seventh Wards, for ward purposes, 1 mill 
on the dollar. 

And be it further resolved. That there be, and is hereby, levied tipnn the Fourth Ward, forward purposes, 1 
mill less than levied by law; and that there is hereby levied upon the Fifth Ward, for poor purposes, 1 mill less 
than levied by law. 

The Council then elected the following officers ; City Clerk, Henry Bieber ; City Marshal, 
George Henze; Night Watchmen — East Side, Charles Henke ; West Side, Joseph Monreau; 
Weighers of Hay and Measurers of Wood — East Side, William Jaedeke ; West Side, George 
Mc^Iillen ; City Surveyor, A. Seiffert ; City Attorney, Charles H. Gardner; City Auctioneer, 
John Reichart ; Health Officer, Dr. Wigginton, the latter at a salary af §40 a year. 

Thus we have an interesting epitome of the records of Watertown — town, village and city — 
for the past thirty-seven years. Generally speaking, the books of the city have been kept in a 
readable manner ; but there is evidence, in the shape of unintelligible chirography in some parts 
of the records, that political influence has outdone itself by placing certain individuals in the 
important position of City Clerk. Mr. Bieber, the present gentlemanly incumbent of that 
office, is in every way qualified for the position. 

LOCATION. 

The corporate limits of the city of Watertown embrace nine sections of land of 640 acres 
each. About one-third of this area lies in Dodge County, but the principal business and resi- 
dence portions of the city are in Jefferson County. The streets are laid out at right angles, and 
are broad and pleasant. The city is on the line of the La Crosse Division of the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railroad, 44 miles from Milwaukee, and lo"2 from La Crosse. A branch of 
this line extends to the capital of the State. 37 miles. The Chicago & North- Western Railway 
also passes through the western limits of the city. 

THE city's indebtedness. 

For the past twelve or fifteen years, the city of Watertown has been without perpetual 
municipal government. While this may appear not to be a very desirable condition of affairs, 
still the people of Watertown manage to exist, and strangers visiting the place, were they not 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 455 

itherwise informed, would not know that it was a Mayorless city, or that it was unencumbered 
ly that most important of all distinguished bodies — a Board of Aldermen. Nevertheless, 
Vatertown has its charter elections every April, at which a full complement of city officials is 
hosen. Under the provisions of the city charter, they may qualify at any time within ten 
lays from the date of election. As an old resident of Watertown forcibly expressed it, it is "a 
foman's secret " that the City Clerk, appointed by the previous Council, has already prepared, 
irior to the date agreed upon for the qualification of the new officials, the resignation of each 
ncumbent, ready for their individual signatures. If he be a competent man, with the interests 
if his constituents at heart, he will also have prepared, in advance of " qualification dav " — 
rhich, by the way, is not "a woman's secret," for none but the officials themselves know of 
t — other documents necessary to the legal management of the municipality for the next twelve 
Qonths, to which the signatures of the proper officials may be attached during the intervening 
pace of time between their qualification and their resignation. 

The explanation of this mysterious method of conducting the public affairs of a city is 
ound in the fact that Watertown has had, among other overdoses of " progress," too much 
ailroad. Twenty-five years ago, the people thought all they needed to make them permanently 
lappy was an extensive system of railway lines. All other schemes of improvement were made 
ubservient to the prevailing craze. Aid was extended with a lavish hand. The voting of 
(100, nOO in city bonds to any number of individuals calling themselves a railway corporation 
fas a common occurrence, attended by almost unanimous results ; and the great number, 
ven at that early day, of enterprising gentlemen anxious to build railroads with other people's 
noney was simply surprising. 

We first find Watertown enacting the role of an eleemosynary institution for the benefit of 
his class of geniuses in 1853, when the qualified electors of the city, by what may be termed a 
landsome majority, voted aid to the extent of $80,000, in bonds, to the Milwaukee & Water- 
owii Railroad Company, the bonds to run ten years at 8 per cent interest. Watertown, before 
he advent of the iron horse, was a prosperous city, and its paper found advantageous ami 
eady negotiation everywhere. The city was ''secured" in this bond issue by iha promise of a 
econd mortgage on the railway property when constructed — a rather illusory security. At the 
xpiration of the ten years, when the bonds fell due, the railroad corporation had undergone 
Qany changes in the management, and was beyond the reach of any legal process for the satis- 
action of this mortgage, had it been given by the Company. The bonds, however, having fallen 
nto the hands of speculators, were held against the city, together with accrued interest on their 
ull value. Litigation followed, ending in numerous judgments against the city, but, for 
easons which will appear hereafter, these judgments have not been satisfied. 

In December, 1854, another special election was held in Watertown for the purpose of 
oting the credit of the city in the interest of a railroad company — the Rock River Valley 
Jnion Railroad. There were 224 votes cast, the majority " for the railroad " being 176. 
Phe amount of bonds authorized to be issued at this election was §120,000, at about the same 
erms of the previous issue to the Milwaukee k Watertown Company. 

Encouraged by their success in obtaining $80,000 from the people of Watertown by the 
acre promise of a second mortgage on what was then virtually an imaginary property, the cor- 
lorators of the Milwaukee & Watertown road made an effijrt to get a second issue of bonds 
rom the same source. The City Council authorized the people to vote on the question at the 
iharter election held April 10, 1855, and the scheme was defeated by a majority of 167. This 
lefeat, however, turned out to be a most profitable one for the railroad people. The electors of 
iVatertown were severely criticised by the press for having gone " directly against their own 
nterests." They were made so heartily ashamed of themselves that when, on the 7th of Jan- 
lary following, a proposition came up to subsidize the Milwaukee, Watertown & Madison Com- 
)any to the extent of $200,000, they voted solidly for it. On the same day, the same electors 
;ast their ballots in favor of giving the Chicago & Fond du Lac Railroad Company (formerly 
he R. R. V. U. R. R. Co.), $200,000 of the city's bonds. The vote on both question* 



456 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

stood : " For the railroads. 326 : against the railroads, none : majority for the railroads, 326 I 
This election was well managed. A small army of men was at that time engaged in building tl 
Milwaukee, Watertown & Madison road. Many of them became temporary residents of tl 
citv in time to entitle them to a voice in the bond question. The history of many similar exe 
cises of " the rights of freemen " at the polls, teaches us that these laborers did not vote again 
their bread and butter. 

The Chicago & Fond du Lac Company (now the Chicago & North- Western) subsequent] 
converted their Watertown bonds into stock of the road, at the rate of 60 per cent on the do 
lar ; that is to say, stock of the company was issued to the city as security for its bonds. Th 
stoek has been disposed of and the bonds redeemed at various times and prices, until the; 
remains at the present time about §20.000 to be taken up. 

No security was ever given the city for the bonds issued to the Milwaukee, Watertown 
Madison Company, but numerous suits have been brought against the city by the bondholder 
in a few of which judgments were obtained. Interest upon these judgments has compound( 
until, added to the principal, the total reaches the enormous sura of §750,000, or thereabou 
Various futile attempts have been made to compromise with the bondholders, but they hai 
exhibited a disposition to exact the last pound of flesh. The Legislature of 1878 passed a 
act permitting the city of Watertown to levy a tax of 2J per cent for two years toward the liqu 
dation of this indebtedness. It was stipulated in the act that the bondholders should file bone 
in the City Clerk's office agreeing to accept the sum thus raised (probably §70,000, had tl 
levy been made) in full payment of their claim. This they failed to do. The means employe 
to obtain these bonds, and the failure of the original railway company to secure the people < 
Watertown, as it agreed to do, have served to incense a majority of them to the point of utt« 
repudiation. Especially is this the case among the poorer classes, who fear taxation and despis 
the tax-gatherer. The question has entered largely into municipal politics for the past twent 
years. The oflBce-seeker who announces himself as a repudiationist, is almost certain of electio) 
The most popular political platform is the one with the longest repudiation plank in it. N 
long since a candidate for the mayoralty paid his respects to a large assemblage of citizens, somi 
thing after this style. Appearing on the speakers' platform with a huge hickory club in h 
hand, he said : 

" Fellow-Citizens .^nd Fellow-Countrtmen: Idonotclaim tobeamanof £esthetictastei 
and perhaps I don't know enough about the fine arts of oflBce to make a mayor with a great des 
of style about him, but there is one thing I do know — and I believe the expression reflects th 
views of the respectable and representative classes I see before me to-night — and that is, that 
don't care a for all the railroads and bondholders in the country." 

The argument was conclusive; the speaker was elected. 

The history of a portion of the litigation in connection with the bonds of the Milwaukei 
Watertown & Madison road is found in the report of the " cases argued and adjudged in th 
Supreme Court of the United States, October term, 1873." The case is that of Rees vs. Th 
City of Watertown, on appeal from the Circuit Court for the Western District of Wisconsir 
The statement of the case and the opinion is by Associate Justice Ward Hunt, of New Yorl 
In it will be found an explanation of the cause which, for the past twelve or fifteen years, ha 
prompted the municipal officers of Watertown to resign immediately upon their qualification. 1 
is in substance as follows : 

" Rees, a citizen of Illinois, being owner of certain bonds issued under authority of an ac 
of the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin, by the city of Watertown, to the Watertown i 
Madison Railroad Company, and by the company sold for its benefit, brought suit in the Circui 
Court of the United States for the District of Wisconsin, against the city, and, in 1867, recov 
ered two judgments for about §10,000. In the summer of 1868, he issued executions upon th 
two judgments thus obtained, which were returned wholly unsatisfied. In November of th 
same year, he procured from the United States Circuit Court a peremptory writ of mandamus 
directing the city of Watertown to levy and collect a tax upon the taxable property of the cit 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 457 

;o pay the said judgments ; but before the writ could be served, a majority of the members of 
;he City Council resigned their offices. This fact was returned by the Marshal, and proceed- 
ngs upon the mandamus thereupon ceased. 

"In May, 1869, another Board of Aldermen having been elected, Rees procured another 
vrit of mandamus to be issued, which writ was served on all of the Aldermen except J. C. Hal- 
iger, who was sick at the time of the service upon the others. No steps were taken to comply 
vith the requisition of the writ. An order to show cause why the Aldermen should not be 
)unished for contempt, in not complying with its requirements, was obtained, and before its 
■eturn-day six of the Aldermen resigned their offices, leaving in office but one more than a 
[uorum, of whom the said Halliger, upon whom the writ had not been served, was one. Vari- 
lus proceedings were had and various excuses made, the whole resulting in an order that the 
Vldermen should at once levy and collect the tax ; but before the order could be served on 
lalliger he resigned his office, and again the Board was left without a quorum. Nothing 
fas accomplished by their effort in aid of the plaintiff, but fines were imposed upon the 
ecusant Aldermen, which were ordered to be applied in discharge of the costs of the proceed- 

ngs- 

" In October, 1870, the plaintiff obtained a third writ of mandamus, which resulted as the 
ormer ones had done, and by the same means on the part of the officers of the city. A special 
lection was ordered to be held to fill the vacancies of the Aldermen so resigning, but no votes 
rere cast except three in one ward, and the person for whom they were cast refused to qualify. 
Phe general truth of these facts was not denied. No part of the debt was ever paid. 

"In this state of things, the District of Wisconsin having been divided into an Eastern 
,nd Western District, and the city of Watertown being in the latter, Rees brought suit in the 
itter district on his judgments obtained in the general district before the decision, and got a 
lew judgment upon them for $11,066. He now filed a bill in the Western District, setting 
Drth the above facts — the general truth of which was not denied — that the debt due to him had 
ever been paid, and that, with an accumulation of fourteen years' interest, the same remained 
npaid, an^ that all his etforts to obtain satisfaction of his judgments had fiiiled. All this wa.s- 
qually undenied. The bill set forth, also, certain acts of the Legislature of Wisconsin, which, 
; was alleged, were intended to aid the defendant in evading the payment of its debts, ami 
'hich, it seemed sufficiently plain, had had that effect, whatever might have been the intent of tiie 
legislature passing them. The bill alleging that the corporate authorities were trustees for the benefit 
f the creditors of the city, and that the property of the citizens was a trust fund for the payment of 
;s debts, and that it was the duty of the Court to lay hold of such property and cause it to be 
istly applied, now prayed that the Court would subject the taxable property of the city to the pay- 
lent of the judgments, * * and that the Marshal of the District might be empowered to 
jize and sell so much of it as might be necessary, and to pay over to him the proceeds of such 
lie. 

" The answer (or argument made in the brief upon it) set up among other things that 'the 
ity of Watertown contained a population of but 7,5.53 inhabitants ; that the value of its prop- 
rty was assessed at but little over a million of dollars; that the debt of the citj' is §750,000 ; 
lat it was impossible for the city to pay this debt; that it was expected and provided that the 
lilroad company would pay the bonds in question; that the city had compromised and settled 
portion of its debt ; that it had levied the taxes necessary to effect such compromise, and that 

was ready to compromise all outstanding bonds and judgments at as high a rate as can be 
illected of the people of Watertown ; that there was no law to compel the retention of the 
Bee by Aldermen to levy taxes ; that the plaintiff took his chance of its being voluntarily 
me, and that, not being voluntarily done, there was no violation of law.' 

" The case was tried in June, 1872, before two Judges holding the Circuit Court. * * * 

* * They were divided in opinion, and the bill was dismissed. The case is now here on 

!rtificate of division and appeal, the error assigned being that the Court dismissed the bill when 

ought to have given the relief prayed for." 



458 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

The foregoing is a correct and carefully prepared statement of the case. The points in 
Justice Hunt's opinion are given herewith : 

" This case is free from the objections usually made to a recovery upon municipal bonds. It 
is beyond doubt that the bonds were issued by authority of an act of the Legislature of the State 
of Wisconsin, and in the m;inner prescribed by the statute. It is not denied that the railroad, 
in aid of the construction of which they were issued, has been built and was put in operation. 
Upon a class of the defenses interposed in the answer and in the argument, it is not necessary 
to spend much time. The theories upon which they proceed are vicious. They are based upon 
the idea that a refusal to pay an honest debt is justifiable because it would distress the debtor to 
pay it. A voluntary refusal to pay an honest debt is a high offense in a commercial community, 
and is just cause of war between nations. So far as the defense rests upon these principles, we 
find no difficulty in overruling it. There is, however, a grave question of the power of the Court 
to grant the relief asked for. We are of opinion that this Court has not the power to direct a tax 
to be levied for the payment of these judgments. This power to impose burdens and raise money 
is the highest attribute of sovereignty, and is exercised, first, to raise money for public purposes 
only ; and, second, by the power of legislative authority only. It is a power that has not been 
extended to the judiciary. Especially is it beyond the power of the Federal judiciary to assume 
the place of a State in the exercise of this authority, at once so delicate and so important. 

* * * "Entertaining the opinion that the plaintiff has been unreasonably 

obstructed in the pursuit of his legal remedies, we should be quite willing to give him the aid 
requested, if the law permitted it. We cannot, however, find authority for so doing, and we 
acquiesce in the conclusion of the Court below that the bill must be dismissed." 

" Judgment affirmed ; Mr. Justice Clifford, with whom concurred Mr. Justice Swayne, dis- 
senting." 

This is one of the most important decisions ever rendered by the United States Supreme 
Court. It is frequently, and will doubtless continue to be, cited as a precedent in similar cases. 
The situation in Watertown, however, is an embarrassing one, and the people are anxious and 
willing to acquiesce in some e([uitable arrangement for removing the shadow which hangs over 
their prosperity like a pall. It is natural that they should resist every effort of the bondholders 
to make them pay an enormous sum on a property whose emoluments are enjoyed by others. 

R.ilLKOAD HISTORY. 

Chicago ^ North- Western. — In this connection, something of the history of the progress 
of the roads in question will be of interest. The Rock River Valley Union Railroad was the 
one, perhaps, to which the people of Jefferson County looked forward to as affording them the 
first and best outlet. Every movement in connection therewith was eagerly recorded by the 
local newspapers. The commencement of operations in 1851, at Fond du Lac — which had then 
been decided upon as the northern terminus of the line — and the completion of a few miles of 
the road southward from that city was joyous news to the citizens of Jefferson County. Every- 
body had railroad on the brain, and it is not surprising that the voting of bonds became of fre- 
quent occurrence. To give the minor details of the many phases of the railway history in ques- 
tion would encroach upon valuable space in this work which must be devoted to subjects of quite 
as great importance. Brief mention of the most essential events must suffice : 

The Watertown Democrat of October 26, 1854, speaking of the Rock River Valley Union 
Railroad, saiil the Company had " apparently passed through the ordeal of all projects that con- 
flict with the lake shore interests." 

About this time, A. Hyatt Smith of Janesville, and John B. Macy retired from their posi- 
tions as Directors, and an entire new Board was elected as follows : A. G. Butler, of Fond du 
Lac ; Alonzo Wing, Jefferson ; L. P. Harvey, Shopiere ; George P. Delaplaine, Madison ; 
Daniel Lovejoy. Cooktown ; Milo Jones, Fort Atkinson; J. B. Doe and Joseph A. Wood, Janes- 
ville ; William B. Ogden, Daniel Brainard and Henry Smith, Chicago ; Charles Butler, New 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 459 

York; William Jarvis, Middletown, Conn.; John Wooster, Boston ; J. W. Hickok, Burlington, 
Vt. At a subsequent meeting held at Janesville, the following officers were elected : Charles 
Butler, President ; J. B. Doe, Vice President and Treasurer ; J. W. Currier, Secretary. 

The report of the Directors at this meeting showed that $1,067,073.80 had been expended 
on the road. Soon afterward, the bonded and floating debt of the Company was converted into 
stock. About the same time, soon after the election of the new Directory, a meeting of citizens 
of Watertown was held in Cole's new block, to give expression to the feeling on the subject and 
to allow certain parties interested to state their views. Mayor Prentiss presided, and E. Quiner 
acted as Secretary. Speeches were made by Mr. Hickok, of Vermont, Ex-Gov. Tallmadge and 
A. Hyatt Smith. The following resolutions were adopted : 

" Whereas, It is now proposeJ, under new auspices, to pusli forward to completion tlie Kock River Valley 
Union Railroad ; therefore, 

•' Resolved, That the people of Watertown look upon this new movement with the deepest interest, believing 
as they do, that this work, when completed, will be of incalculable benefit, not only to this city, but to the State at 
large. 

"Reyiilved, That they tender their full confidence and cordial co-operation to the new Board of Directors, believ- 
ing them all to be honest and honorable men, capable of bringing to a speedy and successful termination the work 
intrusted to their charge. 

"Resolved, That they cordially approve of the main features of the new movement to wit: An appeal (o 
the people along the line of the road for subscription to its stock, and that the people of Watertown will contribme 
its full quota of the material aid necessary to the completion of the work, in full confidence that it will liberally 
remunerate its stockholders. 

" Resolved, That measures be taken to procure the passage of a law for submitting, at an early day, to a vote 
of the people, the question of loaning the credit of the city to this Company, in aid of said road, to the amount 
of $120,000. 

For some reason there had been a loss of confidence on the part of the people in the early 
management of the Rock River Valley Union Railroad. While the citizens of Jeft'erson County 
were with patience awaiting its completion, Janesville and Beloit were engaged in one of their 
periodical quarrels as to which should pay the largest sum toward the building of the line. 
When the difficulty had been settled and the road passed to new hands it became necessary to 
ro-assure the people of Jefferson County that the scheme would thereafter be vigorously prose- 
cuted. To this end a meeting was held at Jeflerson on December 1, 1854, at which Fort 
Atkinson, Watertown, etc., were well represented. 

J. B. Doe, one of the new Board of Directors, defended the company from the damaging 
aspersions circulated against it, and denied a statement that the bonds had been sold at nominal 
and various prices. David Noggle, a Janesville lawyer, said he knew that there had been too 
much "gas" about the early management; that the manner in which the affairs of the com- 
pany had previou.sly been conducted was a matter of no practical importance, and no indication 
of the future. He advocated the mortgage system of taking stock, saying that every man who 
had $2,000 worth of real estate could take $1,000 in stock, give his mortgage runnmg five 
years at 5 per cent, and, at the expiration of the time, in his opinion, the road would pay the 
principal and the individual would have his stock clear. The force of Mr. Noggle's argument 
was manifested by a large number of farmers present following his advice. 

Work on the line between Fond du Lac and Watertown was being pushed rapidly, the 
route being graded nearly the entire distance. A new locomotive, which was taken from She- 
boygan to Fond du Lac by teams, was announced to have arrived at the latter place for service 
on the completed portion of the road running from that city, and from this time forward confi- 
dence was restored. 

On the 27th of November, 1854, the Watertown City Council passed a resolution ordering 
an election to be held on the third Monday of December following, for the purpose of voting 
upon the question of issuing city bonds to the Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company, to 
the amount of $120,000. The result of this election is already known. Similar action was taken 
by several other cities and villages along the route. 

It was subsequently arranged that the cities and villages voting in favor of the issuance of 
bonds to the road should take stock and use these bonds in payment therefor. This conversion 



460 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

of bonds into stock, it was claimed, would make the bondholder more than ever interested in its 
success. 

The embarrassment experienced by the early management, and under which the Company 
still continued to labor, soon necessitated a change, and we find that, on December 30, 18.55, 
the Trustees disposed of the road at public sale for the benefit of the bondholders. William B. 
Ogdcn, J. H. Hicks and C. C. Wolden, of New York, became the purchasers, paying $20,000 
therefor. The road was then consolidated with the Illinois & Wisconsin line, at that time in 
course of construction from Chicago toward the Northwest, and the Company was thereafter 
known as the Chicago, Fond du Lac & St. Paul Railroad Company. The issuance of the bonds 
voted by various cities and villages along the route, then became an important question. Con- 
cerning this subject, the Watertown Democrat, of May 3, 1855, says : 

" If this railroad company strictly comply with the provisions of the act authorizing the 
issue of the city bonds, and give ample security that the payment of neither the interest nor 
principal shall fall on the city, we think the bonds should be granted. We want the railroad, 
and should be willing to help its completion, when we can do so without loss to ourselves. We 
hope that, so far as the success of the enterprise depends on us, we shall be found ready and 
willing to do our part. This is a subject for the deliberation and action of our City Council." 

Owing to a failure of the managers of this Company to agree upon a course of action, the 
building of the road was delayed beyond a reasonable length of time, and the people of Jefferson 
County, so long kept in a condition between hope and fear, were again upon the point of despair, 
when an extract from a letter written from New York August 23, 1855, by Mr. Ogden, the 
President of the Company, published in the different papers throughout the county, re-assured 
them, and restored, in a measure, their lost confidence. The letter was as follows : 

" The affairs of the road are looking up. Five thousand tons of iron have been bought, and a 
part of it is now being forwarded, with a view of getting to Janesville early in the spring, and of 
finishing the upper end of the road to the junction of the Milwaukee & La Crosse road. In 
fact, the whole thing looks very encouraging. The purchase of the balance of the iron will 
probably be closed to-day." 

At a meeting held at Cole's Hall, in Watertown, on October 11, of the same year, Mr. 
Ogden addressed the assemblage. He said that most of the old bonds of the company had been 
converted into stock, the liabilities incurred under the former Board of Directors liquidated, 
seventy miles of the road placed in running order, and iron purchased for a large share of the 
balance of the line. The Directors, he said, were then making efforts to complete the road from 
Woodstock to Janesville, and from Waupun to the crossing of the La Crosse road within the 
following year, and the balance of the road as soon thereafter as possible. Mr. Ogden said the 
Company looked to the people along the line for bonds and stock subscriptions to the amount of 
$1,000,000. About one-third of this sum had already been secured at the north end of the road, 
and to Watertown and Janesville and the villages lying between these cities, the Directors 
looked for the balance. Before the meeting adjourned, Daniel Jones, A. L. Pritchard and 
William M. Dennis were appointed a committee to solicit subscriptions. 

The next event of interest in the history of this road, was the voting of the $200,000 in 
bonds by the city of Watertown, already referred to. 

In August, 1856, the road was completed between Chicago and Janesville. In the mean 
time, work upon the northern end of the line had been pushed slowly forward, and all that was 
now necessary to insure the eternal happiness of the people of Jefferson County was the comple- 
tion of the connecting link. 

In the Democrat of January 15, 1857, occurs the following, which will give some idea of 
the exertions then being made by both the railway managers and the citizens interested : 

"At a late meeting of the Board of Directors of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Rail- 
road, a resolution was passed to put the road under contract as soon as stock to the amount of 
$600,000, on the line from Junction to Janesville, and they expect the following amounts to be 
subscribed at the places named ; Fort Atkinson, $100,000 ; Watertown, $150,000 ; Jefferson, 



HISTORY" or JEFFERSON COUNTY. 461 

$75,000 ; Johnson's Creek, $25,000 ; Juneau, $50,000 ; Watertown bonds, $200,000 ; total, 
$600,000. Of this amount, there is now subscribed: Watertown (individual subscriptions), 
$75,000; Fort Atkinson, $112,000 ; Jefferson, $75,000 : Watertown bonds, $200,000; total, 
$462,000. 

" The Directors are now here, and will remain this week, and the amount set down for 
Watertown should be made up at once. We are assured that, if the required amount of 
$600,000 is not 7iow subscribed, the road will not be put under contract ; but, if promptly taken, 
it will be put under contract immediately." 

Within a month, the required amount was subscribed, and the Directors took their depar- 
ture for Chicago. But the embarrassments which had attended the construction of this road 
from its first inception, seem to have increased, and the memorable railway crash of 1857 so 
crippled the Company that it was only by the most remarkable management the finished portions 
of the road were kept in operation. It was not till late in the fall of 1858 that the Company 
began to show signs of recovery from the paralyzing effects of the panic. The first evidence of 
this is found in the Democrat of September 30, 1858 : 

" We have been called upon during the past week by the Directors, bondholders and Trust- 
ees of this Company. They have visited the various places on the line of the road to ascertain 
the state of the work and take the views of the stockholders and inhabitants as to what should 
be done in the present embarrassed condition of the road. The line is now completed and trains 
running regularly to Oshkosh, and the land-grant secured for the benefit of the Company. The 
grading and bridging from this city to the La Crosse Junction is finished and ready for the iron. 
The plan now proposed is to capitalize the second 8 per cent mortgage and the floating debt of 
the Company on some fair and equitable basis — the present stock to be taken up and new stock 
at a reduced amount issued therefor ; and, if not done voluntarily, the first mortgage will be 
foreclosed by the Trustees, and the present stock, floating debt and secured mortgage will be 
rendered worthless. The plan as proposed is a good one, and meets with the hearty approval of 
all the larger stockholders, and, with proper exertion, can and will be successfully carried out ; 
indeed, it seems to us that there is no other alternative, and it is either this or nothing. * * 

* * With this fortunate turn in their affairs, they can go on free from debt and complete the 
road from Janesville to the La Crosse Junction within twelve months, and thus we shall be put 
into connection with Chicago direct on the south, and Fond du Lac and Oshkosh on the north. 

* * * * ■^Y'e understand that the towns along the line, the stockholders and people gener- 
ally, approve of the plan proposed, and will adopt it almost unanimously."' 

In March, 1859, a meeting of the bondholders and others interested in the Chicago, St. 
Paul & Fond du Lac, was held at the New York office, at which it was agreed that the old 
stock should be exchanged for a new issue so soon as arrangements for the sale of the road 
could be completed. This was consummated early in June, the creditors being the purchasers, 
and the Chicago, St. Paul k Fond du Lac Railroad Company became a thing of the past. 
With the change in management also came a change in name, and the institution has ever since 
been known as the Chicago & North- Western Railway. A 10 per cent assessment was levied 
upon all the stock to enable the Company to complete the road from Janesville to La Crosse 
Junction. 

The following from the Watertown Democrat of June 30, 1859, will give an idea of the 
importance of the change : 

" Work on the Chicago & North-Western Railway is fairly commenced, and we really begin 
to believe that the Company are in earnest in what they say. Under the old regime, or what 
was known as the Chicago, St. Paul k Fond du Lac Company, we were so often humbugged 
into the belief that the work was to be prosecuted with renewed energy and ' finished up this 
time without any mistake,' that we had about made up our minds that the next time we believed 
it, or announced it, would be when we saw it done and heard the whistle of the locomotive. 
Gangs of men are scattered all along the line of the road. Hon. Perry H. Smith is securing 
the right of way, and pays cash in hand for the damages when agreed upon." 



462 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUXTV. 

The North- Western bridge over Rock River, two miles below the city of Watertown, was 
built in the summer and fall of 1859. 

October 8, of the same year, Wells & French, railroad builders on the North-Western 
road, i^rtve a •' railroad supper" in Watertown, at the Exchange Hotel. Among others present 
on that occasion were Russel Sage, Judge Rose, D. C. Jackson and Gen. Chappell. 

November 3, a terrible accident occurred eight miles south of Watertown. The south- 
bound passenger train ran over a large ox and was thrown from the track, five passenger cars 
being smashed to pieces. Eleven persons were killed outright, three fatally injured and twenty- 
five badly hurt. Among the killed was Theron Minor, formerly editor of the Watertown 
Chronicle. 

In March, 1860, the road was completed to Watertown ; work was continued on the route 
north, but the events attending its progress ceased to be of any great interest to the people of 
Jefferson County. 

In March, 1861, the Legislature passed an act authorizing the Chicago & North-Western 
Railway Company to consolidate their line with any road north of the La Crosse road. Grad- 
ually, the North-Western extended its Briarean arms until to-day it is one of the most powerful 
and important corporations in the United States. 

Chicago, Mihvaukee <|- St. Paul. — Originally known as the Milwaukee & Watertown Rail- 
road. This road was originally incorporated in 1853. The interest taken in its success by the 
people of Jefferson County, and especially those of Watertown, is manifested by the readiness with 
which they voted substantial aid for it. The road was completed to Oconomowoc, from Milwau- 
kee, in the fall of 1854. Here the enterprise rested until the following spring, when work was 
resumed. June 5, 1855, a contract was made with A. L. Graham & Co., for grading, bridging 
and ballasting the road from Oconomowoc to Columbus, via Watertown, the work to be com- 
pleted by August 1, 1855. The receipts upon the completed portion of the road, from Decem- 
ber 15, 1854, to the last of May following (five and a half months), amounted to §83,848.52. 

The road was completed to Watertown September 21, 1855. The event was to have been 
celebrated by a grand demonstration on the part of the people, but the Common Council having 
refused to vote funds for that purpose, the movement, beyond the opening of a few baskets in a 
quiet way, was a failure, and the Milwaukee & Watertown Railroad soon became an old institu- 
tion, the object of frequent complaint when its managers assumed to dictate terms to those who 
had aided in its construction. In less than a month after its completion, the following item rela- 
tive to the transportation of freight appeared in the Watertown Deniocrnt : 

" At both ends of the route, there are heavy and rapidly accumulating amounts of freight 
of all kinds, ready and waiting for immediate transportation, with no means to move it but 
such as the railroad furnishes. In fact, as things now are, the owners of this property are 
entirely dependent upon the Company. Under these circumstances, it is earnestly to be hoped 
that some effectual way will soon be devised to do awaj' with all cau.ses of complaint. 

" Later. — Since writing the above, we learn that freight trains will commence running 
again to-day, and make regular trips hereafter." 

Another illustration of the power of the press I 

Immediately following the foregoing item in the Democrat was a disquisition on " omni- 
buses," commencing thus : 

"Railroads do great things in the way of introducing 'city fixings' into inland places, 
when once the iron horse bejrins to make his regular visits. We notice that Mr. Peter Rogan, 
the proprietor of the American, has just bought a large and fine omnibus. This is the second 
establishment of the kind in the city, the one belonging to the Planter's having been bought 
some months ago. Our hotel-keepers are up to the times." 

The next complaint on the part of the citizens of Watertown against this Company was of 
more serious nature. City bonds to the amount of §80,000 having been issued to the Company, 
they had failed to give tlie stipulated security. This was the source of much caustic criticism 
by tlie local press. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COITNTY. 463 

In May, 1856, the village of Waterloo voted twice on the question of extending aid to the 
Madison & Watertown. The first election showed eighteen majority against the proposition. 
The Board of Supervisors, not being pleased with the result, ordered a new election, which 
resulted in fourteen majority for the railroad subsidy, $35,000. About the same time, a con- 
solidation took place between the Watertown & Madison and the Milwaukee & Watertown Com- 
panies, and on the 10th of June, 1856, ground was broken on that part of the road which now 
connects Watertown with the State capital. A month later, 400 men were engaged on the work. 
September, 1850, a consolidation took place between the La Crosse & Milwaukee and the 
Milwaukee & Watertown Companies. This had the eifect of harmonizing the many railway 
interests which had at tliat time begun to assert themselves. Under the new arrangement, 
three of the former Directors of the La Crosse retired, and Eliphalet Cramer, Alexander Mitchell 
and W. B, Hibbard were elected to fill their places. Byron Kilbourn continued in the office of 
President. 

As showing the importance of this road and the interest with which it was regarded abroad, 
the following from the New York Tribune's money article of April 14, 1857, is given : 

" The Watertown & Madison Railroad Company have disposed of $150,000 of the $200,000 
of its Watertown city bonds, issued in aid of that road, at very satisfiictory rates. They have 
also sold a portion of the Madison City bonds. This negotiation places the completion of the 
road to Madison by the 1st of October next beyond a doubt. The iron is all proivded, and the 
grading is two-thirds finished." 

The diiferent lines, under the combined management, were operated and extended in accord- 
ance with previous arrangements until February, 1858, when the Watertown Division was sold 
to a new company, under the presidency of Hon. S. L. Rose, to be known as the Milwaukee, 
Watertown & Baraboo Railroad. 

In October, 1858, the Watertown & Madison Division was sold at public auction by the 

United States Marshal. It was bid in by Russel Sage and others holding first mortgage bonds. 

In April, 1861, the Milwaukee, Watertown & Baraboo became the Milwaukee & Western 

Railroad Company, in accordance with an act of the Legislature. At that date, the Company 

had seventy-six miles of I'oad in operation. 

In July, 1863, the various railroad companies in the State re-organized, " pooled their 
issues," and at the pesent time are virtually under one and the same management, so far as the 
regulation of rates is concerned. 

Watertown is now one of the principal railway centers in the State. It is a sort of half- 
way house, as it were, for the difterent lines passing north and south, east and west. An 
important interest, in the shape of railway shops, freight and passenger depots, etc., has grown 
up in the suburbs of the city, aiTording employment to many citizens at fair compensation. 

Tlie Watertown agents of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.' Paul— Jonas H. Sleeper and John J. 
Moulding— furnish the following interesting figures concerning the road : The revenue accruing 
from the passenger and freight traffic to and from Watertown in 1867, amounted to $98,059.82. 
In 1877, it was $153,660.80. In 1857 (the first year of the road's existence), the gross earn- 
ings of the entire road are given at $882,817.89. In 1867 (with 820 miles of track), the gross 
earnings were $5,683,608 ; total expenses, $2,880,434. In 1877 (with 1,412 miles), the gross 
earnings were $8,114,894.27 ; expenses, $4,540,453.57. 

Chained Liijhtning. — The thunder of the iron horse is invariably followed by the lightning 
of the telegraph. The first electric wire reached Watertown on the 26th of August, 1856. It 
was erected by the Wisconsin State Telegraph Company, and connected Watertown with Mil- 
waukee. The office was located in Cole's Block. John Hawkins was the first operator. The 
Western Union office is now located in the express office on West Main street, a perfect network 
of wires being required for the service. 

Express Coynpany.—The American Express Company established an office in Watertown 
in 1854, a Mr. Hayward being the first agent. The office was first located at the corner of 
West avenue and Water street, where Roper & Ferry's agricultural implement store is now 



4f)4 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

located. In 1856, Mr. Hayward was superseded by C. A. Sprague, who removed the office to 
the east side of the river, next to Wiggenhorn's cigar store. In 1867, Mr. Sprague was suc- 
ceeded by a Mr. Piper, and, in the following year, E. L. Patch became the agent. In 1872, Mr. 
Patch withdrew in favor of H. B. Dodd, the present agent, who removed the office to Dennis' 
Block. 

WATER. 

Watertown is famous far and wide for its artesian wells, and the peculiar quality of the 
water that flows from them. Never-failing streams of water, containing a large percentage of 
iron and magnesia, are obtained at a depth of about fifty feet. There are two magnetic wells in 
Watertown, so-called from the fact that a knife-blade, or other steel utensil, held for a few seconds 
in the water that comes from them will attract a needle. The water is very wholesome, and 
its use has effected many cures of chronic diseases, and afforded wonderful relief to others. 

LANDMARKS. 

The first frame house built on the west side of the river now stands on the southeast comer 
of West avenue and Water street. It vas built in 1845 by Patrick Rogan, one of the most 
enterprising of Watertown's early settlers. 

The first brick building erected in Watertown is the one now occupied as a shoe store by 
Henry Meyers, on the north side of Main street, between First and Second. 

The first brick structure on the west side of the river is now the property of ex-Mayor Mul- 
berger, at present occupied by W. C. Stone as a restaurant. It was built by Patrick Rogan. 

HISTORICAL ITE.MS. 

Luther A. and John W. Cole established the first store in Watertown. It stood on the 
southwest corner of Second and Main streets. 

Walter Besley was the second merchant. His store stood where Goeldner's jeweler store 
now stands. 

M. J. Gallagher built and carried on the first store on the west side of the river. 

Edward Johnson was the first druggist. 

Fred Kusel, Sr., was the first tinsmith. 

John Richards was the first lawyer who came to Watertown. He was duly admitted to 
the bar, but did not practice. He found other pursuits more profitable in those days. He was 
the first District Attorney in Jefferson County. 

Jacob J. Enos was the first practicing lawyer, and Myron B. Williams, now of Indianap- 
olis, was the second. 

Drs. Cokeley and Goodenough were the first practicing physicians ; Drs. Cody and 
Spalding are the leading physicians in Watertown at the present time. 

The Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad depot was burned in July, 1865 ; burned again 
December 8, 1874. The junction depot of the same road met a smiilar fate September 29, 
1872 ; burned again November 12, 1875. 

Theodore Prentiss was the first Mayor of Watertown ; L. Bruegger, the first Marshal. 

J. A. Hadley was the first editor. D. Blumenfeldt is the oldest editor ; Thomas Jones 
the youngest. 

Alcott Cheeney was the first President of the village of Watertown. 

Judge Hyer and Winslow Blake were the first practicing lawyers in Jefferson County. 

The distance from the Milwaukee depot to the Post Office is ii,985 feet. 

Every intelligent and public-spirited citizen who can afford it has a copy of the Jefferson 
County History in his library. A few wealthy individuals, however, believe that they can 
pass through the eye of a needle and take their riches and the record of their lives to a better 
world. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 465 



THE CEMETERIES. 



Let US draw the curtain upon this panorama of progress. We have witnessed the birth of 
Watertown, as near as such a thing is possible forty-three years after that important event 
occurred ; followed the course of its existence down to the present time, viewing the various 
stages of its growth. Among the groves that surround this beautiful city, in the bosom of the 
cold earth, lie in eternal rest, many of the pioneers whose names are recorded in these pages. 
Their graves are appropriately marked, but the most imperishable tablets to their memory are 
the tall spires of almost a score of churches, the enduring walls of schoolhouses and business 
blocks, and the grand structures of commerce, throbbing with the pulsations of prosperity, 
which beautify and give fame and fortune to the city of Watertown. Now let us visit the 
homes of the dead. 

The first lonely habitation for the repose of the dear departed was laid out as early as 
1840, located near the present site of the Lutheran College. It was a public burying-ground, 
where the earthly remains of the highest and the lowest, without distinction as to religious 
creed, might be laid in peace forevermore. Crumbling tombs still mark the solitary spot. In 
18.50, John Richards, L. A. Friebert, Andrew Peterson and Daniel Jones organized, under an 
act of the Legislature, the Oak Hill Cemetery Association, and procured suitable grounds for 
the purpose within the southwestern limits of the village. In 1864, thirty acres of land were 
purchased by the Association in the eastern suburbs of the city, about one-half of which was 
laid out in lots. Many of the bodies buried in the original plats on both the east and west 
sides of the city were taken up and re-interred in the new cemetery grounds. Under the 
superintendency of Mr. Chris. Schroeder, the place has been made to "blossom as the rose." 
The present oiBcers of the Association are Daniel Jones, President ; Theodore Prentiss, 
Treasurer ; Justus T. Moak, Secretary. Trustees — Daniel Hall, William H. Rohr, J. T. 
Moak, Theodore Prentiss and Daniel Jones. 

Many of the various religious denominations in Watertown have their cemeteries, sup- 
ported from the church funds and managed by the church oiBcials. The Lutheran cemetery is 
located on a beautiful elevation north of the city, on the Hustisford road. The United 
Brethren, or Moravians, bury their dead in the same vicinity. 

Upon the sloping surface of a gently rising knoll near the Milford road, in the western 
suburbs, may be seen a somber forest of crosses, marking the last resting-places of many dis- 
ciples of the Church of Rome. This spot is devoted exclusively to the interment of members 
of St. Bernard's Parish. 

Ten years ago, the German Catholics established a burying-ground on the north road, 
where lie the remains of the departed members of St. Henry's Parish, awaiting the final 
summons. 

" Requiescat in pace." 




466 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 



CITY OF JEFFERSON. 

Jefferson, the county seat of .Jefferson County, is a pleasant city of about three tliousand 
inhabitants, delightfully located at the junction of Crawfish and Rock Rivers, in the central 
part of the county, surrounded by a rich firming country, thickly settled and contributing vast 
resources to swell the general prosperity of the county seat. 

TUE ORIGINAL J^ETTLEMENT. 

The first settlement of the present city was made in 18-36. December 18 of that year, 
Rodney J. Currier, Daniel Lansing, Robert Masters, with Imogene, his daughter, David Sar- 
geant, Peter Rogan, Rufus C. Dodge and Edward and Alvin Foster came from Bark Mills and 
Milwaukee and distributed themselves about Jefl'erson and the immediate vicinity. 

On June 13, 1837, Silas R. Stevens, following in the wake of these pioneers, landed at the 
residence of Robert Masters, located on Rock River, about (me mile below the present city. In 
1887, E. G. Darling piloted a scow from Hebron on Bark River to Rock River, thence to Jefferson, 
where he took up his permanent abode. He was accompanied by Melissa and Marion Brown, 
half sisters, Alonzo Brown, half brother. Lavina Carpenter, Edward Sawyer and David Bartlett. 
The scow was also laden with their household goods and the frame of a house, which was fashioned 
at Bark Mills and brought to Jefferson ready to be completed and occupied. The emigrants 
took possession of a log shanty said to have been "put up " by James and Peter Rogan a year 
previous (which, if true, makes this unpretentious protection of logs rolled up together the first 
habitation constructed in this section of the county), and prepared to locate and finish a house, 
framed at Bark Mills. In October of the same year, arrangements were completed in that 
behalf, and the "frame " elevated on a piece of ground, the present site of the Jefferson House. 
The building was completed during the fall and used as a tavern, court house and salesroom for 
dry goods and groceries, the first goods ever sold in the town of Jefferson. A man named 
Buck officiated as salesman and no doubt realized a fair profit on his venture. In this 
month, also, came Hiram Z. Brittan, his wife, daughter (Jane), and one son. It should also be 
observed that the first session of the Circuit Court was held in the bar-room of this hostelry, 
Judge Irwin presiding. His Honor was a bachelor and a queer compound of ability and eccen- 
tricity. He occasionally adjourned court to go fishing, and was in the habit of improvising 
rules for the government of his subordinates, which, in those days, while not attracting particu- 
lar attention, were regarded as arbitrary ; to-day, they would be considered as e.\tra-judicial. 
During tliis year, occurred the first death in the vicinity. It was that of E. Foster, Sr., which 
took place October 10, at the residence of his son in the south part of tlie town ; he was buried at 
Big Bend, four miles down the river. It is also said that Robert Kennedy and wife came to 
Jefferson from Janesville during that year and kept house for Rodney J. Currier and Andrew 
Lansing. 

In 1838, the population of the settlement was increased by the arrival of William Sanborn, 
a man named Minor, who remained but a short time, Harvey Foster, with his father, Hopes- 
dale Foster, possibly Ebenezer M. Seaton, and others who have left no record of their advent 
to guide the historian. 

GROWTH .^ND IMPROVEMENTS. 

In the spring of 1839, William Sanborn built a two-story frame on Main street where the 
Sawyer House now stands, a part of which is the identical "frame " erected forty years ago. 
David Bartlett also built a house this year on the west side of the river, half a mile from the 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 467 

Jefferson House. He took a claim and put on a block house, part of which is said to be now 
standing, though in an improved and reconstructed form. The first white child born within 
what are now the city limits of Jefferson was a daughter to Hiram Z. Brittan, in a log house 
which stood near the site of the present residence of Orrin Henry, on the west side of Rock 
River. The first marriage celebrated in the village was that of Martha Fellows and Frank 
Roberts ; it took place in the fall of 1839. 

In 1840, accessions were made to the population by the arrival of future residents, who 
speedily identified themselves with the public interests and aided in promoting the promising 
success which has since been realized unto the citizens of Jefferson. Among those who claim to 
have come hither during that year, was George Crist, who says that the residences of E. G. 
Darling (the Jefferson House). William Sanborn and Abram Vanderpool made up the sum total 
of houses erected up to that period. These were added to in the following year by the houses 
of Andrew Lansing and Rodney J. Currier on Main street. The premises are now located on 
Milwaukee street, west of Main street, and in the early days, with those above cited, were the 
only buildings Jefferson boasted of except a little house on the northwest corner of the present 
public square, used as a Register's office, and said to have been erected in 1838. 

During the spring and summer of 1841, E. G. Darling planted a field of wheat on his 
" fraction," from which he harvested a generous crop, that was ground at the mills in White- 
water. In the fall of that year, George Crist and D. H. Miller built a double house on the 
present site of Frommader's saloon and residence, for their own occupation. These houses stood 
on their original foundations for many years, but were finally disposed of by removal, and what 
remains of them is to be now seen located on the lot east of the Presbyterian Church, one of 
them being now occupied by Dr. John Fallehr. In the winter of 1841, Laban Hoyt put up 
a "shanty" on Racine street, on the same ground now occupied by the residence of Dr. W. 
W. Reed. During that and previous years, flour and other edibles, except game, etc., was 
procured from Whitewater, Milwaukee and other accessible points, and commanded exorbitant 
prices. 

In the spring of 1842, the first Germans came to Jefferson, settled in the village, and 
included many whose names are to-day as household words to citizens and residents. Among 
these were John Rockdaeschel, who was the first cobbler to fashion goloshes and moccasins for the 
hardy pioneer. In this year also, or perhaps the year previous. Dr. Charles Rogers came hither 
with a German Count. The latter remained in Jefferson but a short time, when he removed to 
Sauk County; but Dr. Rogers established himself here professionally, married Miss Mary Bra- 
man, and, on the 4th of March, 1857, died in the city of his adoption. In the spring of this 
year, the dam was built and saw-mill put up on the east side of the river by Darling & Kendall. 
In the fall, a building was erected on Milwaukee street, near the river on the east side. The 
same season, Andrew Lansing was married to Melissa Brown, and built a house, in which they 
afterward resided, on Dodge street, opposite the Court House, then, too, in progress. 

The year 1843 witnessed rapi<l strides by the village in the pursuit of prosperity, and the 
success toward which its founders directed their efforts. A number of settlers joined their 
fortunes with those of the pioneers who had preceded their coming. New houses were built, 
and a variety of improvements completed, which added materially to the list of substantial 
attractions that always contribute to swell local wealth and population. Among the houses 
was a two-story frame, built on North Main street, by George Crist ; one, at present occupied 
by Joseph Mansfield, is supposed to have been built in that year by Dr. Barber ; also the black- 
smith shop on the corner of what is now known as Milwaukee and Third streets, owned at 
that time by a man named Sherman, who started to California in 18-50, but died of cholera 
before he reached that distant territory. The City Hall occupies the corner to-day. 

About this time, the Indians were numerous in the vicinity. They belonged to the Winne- 
bago, Menominee and Pottawatomie tribes. One of the chiefs of the Menominees was known 
as " Chief John," and as a representative of the aborigines, was much respected by the settlers. 
He camped with his tribe on the river, two or three miles from the village, and commanded 



468 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

the confidence of his white neighbors. He supported himself by the sale of furs, venison, etc., 
and raade his headquarters at Alonzo Wing's store. One evening, while visiting at the store, a 
wrestling match between him and Geo. Crist was engaged in, in which Crist was thrown ; this 
caused the latter to become excited, whereupon the Indian remarked, " white man got mad," 
and thereafter eschewed athletic sports with any but his own race. Chief John was murdered in 
1844, and his body was found by his former antagonist in the swamp, about three miles northwest 
of .Jefferson. Inquiries as to who the murderer was resulted in charging its commission upon 
a settler, who was arrested and tried, but acquitted. Some years afterward, a man, who had 
subsequently emigrated to Iowa, confessed the crime on his death-bed. 

In 1845, the population was quoted at from seventy-five to eighty inhabitants. It contained 
a blacksmith-shop, Isaac Savage's gunsmith-shop, one or two carpenter shops, county buildings, 
two lawyers — George F. Markley and Winslow Blake ; two physicians — Barber and Rogers ; 
a sciiooihouse near where Charles Stoppenbach's present residence is, which was also used con- 
jointly with the Court House for places of worship ; a saw-mill and other resorts of trade. Dur- 
ing the summer of 1844, a steamer came hither from St. Louis, which was made the occasion of 
a dance at the Jefferson House. 

' In 184U, the first brick building in the village was put up at the corner of Milwaukee and 
Third streets, hy Andrew Lansing, and yet remains. The grist-mill was commenced, and 
nearly completed during the winter, by James Wadsworth and others. That year, the California 
fever broke out in the settlement, and many therein resident were persuaded to cross the plains 
and search for gold. The disease, so to speak, became epidemic in 18.50, and many followed in 
the wake of those who had gone before, a large proportion, however, returning to Jefferson, where 
they have since remained. 

In 1850, James Barr, now connected with the Jefferson Manufacturing Company, erected 
the first brick store of which the records make mention. It was located at the corner of Racine 
and Main streets and is now a portion of Breunig's brewery. Alonzo Wing had put up a store 
on Main street, between Milwaukee and Dodge streets, several years previous, but Mr. Barr 
enjoys the distinction of having been the first to locate in a brick building, devoted to merchan- 
dising. From that date until 1854, the population and improvements in the town were steady 
and substantial, though by no means rapid. The last half of that decade, however, was more 
satisfactory. A brick block was erected on Second and Main streets: the Jefferson House block, 
the Universalist Church, a brick block on Milwaukee street, near the City Hall, the Presbyterian 
Church and a number of private residences, were begun and completed during that period. 

LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT. 

In 1856, the discussion as to the location of the county seat, which had been in progress for 
some time previous between Watertown and Jefferson, culminated. During the session of the 
Legislature of that year, a bill providing for submitting the question to the voters of the county 
was introduced by William Chappell and adopted. The bill, among other provisions, exempted 
"repeaters" from the penalty hitherto attaching to the " citizens " who were accustomed to 
vote often if not early, and, as is now believed, enabled the constituency at Jefferson to prevail 
over Watertown. The bill was approved October 11, and the election held in pursuance thereof 
on the third Tuesday in December. Upon that occasion, in addition to the polling-places ordinarily 
provided, a poll known as '• Krummenauer's Poll " was improvised at a point on the Milwaukee 
road, about two and one-half miles east of the city. Here ballots were deposited containing 
the names of every known voter, as well as those of every schoolboy in the village, and also a large 
number of names copied from a Cincinnati directory. When the polls were closed, a delegation 
came down from Watertown, bearing the result of the vote in that city and demanded the 
records from the county officers. The vote had been canvassed in Jefferson, but not that at the 
polls above mentioned. These came in under the call for '• the supplemental returns." They 
were displayed on the poll-list, which was of the " dimensions of a stove-pipe," and evidenced 




f¥ 



ADAMS SMITH, Esq., 
JEFFERSON. 



HISTORY OF .lEFFERSOX COrXTT. 471 

the defeat of Watertown so pronouncedlr that the delegation were convinced beyond dispute 
and retired with expressions of disgust and disappointment. 

Since that date, no matter of particular import has occurred to affect the prosperity of 
Jefferson disadvantageously. From an obscure settlement it has become a citv of prime impor- 
tance, and large interests, connected by rail with all the important points East and West, and 
containing a population who have, by their industry, enterprise and frugality, become the pos- 
sessors of wealth and factors of influence throughout the State. 

OFFICIAL ROSTER UNDER TOWN ORGASIZATIOS. 

Previous to 1857, the present city of Jefferson was under the same government as the 
township. In 1857, the village of Jefferson was incorporated and represented in the township 
Board of Supervisors. This continued until 1878, when an act "to incorporate the citv of 
Jefferson" was passed by the Legislature of Wisconsin and approved March 19 of that year, 
since which date the whilom town and village has been considered as a municipal corporation, 
entitled to certain privileges and immunities thereunto appertaining, in consideration of secur- 
ing to the citizens life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The city of Jefferson is still con- 
nected with the town or township government for town purposes. 

The records of the town previous to April 5, 18-15, are missing, and doubt is expressed bv 
those assuming to be familiar with the facts, as to whether any exbted prior to that date. From 
the records accessible to inquiry, it appears that a town meeting was convened on April 5, at 
which William Sanborn presided as Moderator, and C. W. Hayden discharged the duties of 
Clerk. The business disposed of included the raising of a fund for the support of schools for 
the year ; the sum of 8100 to build a bridge across Rock Eiver opposite the county seat ; also 
across " Crawfish River where the road crosses near the fork," and the appropriation of S50 to 
establish a free ferry at the forks of Rock River. After the election of the following officers, 
the meeting adjourned, with an understanding that the next annual meeting should be held at 
the house of Enoch G. Darling : 

Supervisors — Robert Masters, Chairman, Alvin Foster and Asa F. Snell ; Clerk, Lucius 
1. Barber ; Assessors — Alvin Foster. Elbridge G. Fifield and Hiram Z. Britain ; Treasurer. 
Erastus C. Montague; Commissioners of Highways — Joel C. Jenks. Frederick A. Potter and 
Alvin Foster; Commissioners of Schools — Asa F. Snell. Hiram Z. Britain and Alvin Foster; 
Collector. George Crist : Sealer of Weights and Measures. Lucius L Barber : Constables. 
Abram Yanderpool and George Crist : Overseers of Roads — Enoch G. Darling. Cyrus Curtis. 
Eschillus Masters. William Burton, James M. Cole, Joel H. Jenks, Elbridge G. Fifield, Frank- 
lin Roberts and Zenas I. Roberts. 

The following officers were elected at subsequent meetings held annually until 1857 : 
Supervisors for ls43 — Asa F. SneU. William Sanborn and John Crosby ; 1844 — Davenport 
Rood, John Crosby and E. Masters; 184.5 — John Crosby. Harvey Foster and Charles Hoyt: 
1846 — William Sanborn, Asa F. Snell and Aikens Foster: 1847 — William Sanborn, Alonzo 
H. Waldo and Sherburn Huse : 1848 — H. Sanborn. William Crosby and Aikens Foster; 1849 
— Alonzo Wing, William A. Whipple and H. V. D. Hellen ; 1850 — William Sanborn, H. V. 
D. Hellen and Joseph Blodgett ; 1851 — Alonzo H. Waldo. John Haas and Emanuel Hake; 
1852 — James Barr, A. B. Curtis and Peter Oelberg ; 1853 — Thomas D. Barr. Peter Oelberg 
and S. R. Stevens ; 1854 and 1855 — E. D. Masters, Peter Oelberg and Emanuel Hake ; 1856 
— A. H. Waldo, Frederick Hake and John Haas. 

Chrhs—lSU. D. W. Kellogg; 1844-4.5-46, J. E. Holmes; 1847. James W. Ostrander: 
1848, Caleb S. Smith: 1849-50. H. F. Pelton : 1851. D. A. Colton; 185-2-53. Charles 
Stoppenbach ; 1854, Thomas Barr; 1855, James Barr: 1856, I. W. Bird. 

Assessors — 1843. James M. Cole, Alexander and Daniel H. Miller; 1844 — Charles Hoyt. 
Harvev Foster and Alonzo H. Waldo ; 1845, Alpheus E. Tavlor : 1846. Silas R. Stevens • 
1847. William Sanborn ; 1848, Alonzo H. Waldo ; 1849. William P. Ward ; 1850, Daniel H^ 

J 



472 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Miller ; 1851-52, John Wheeler ; 1853, E. D. Masters ; 1854-55, John Wheeler ; 1856, E. 
H. Benson. 

Treasurers — 1843, George F. Markley ; 1844, Andrew Lansing; 1845, George Trucks; 
1846, Chauncey Clothier; 1847, Isaac Savage ; 1848, George Crist ; 1849, James M. Cole ; 
1850, Caleb S. Smith ; 1851-52-53-54, William A. Whipple ; 1855-56, 0. S. Brandon. 

Connnissioners of Higlnvays — 1843 — Enoch G. Darling, Rodney J. Currier and A. P. Bird- 
sey ; 1844 — Joshua Crosby, Rodney J. Currier and E. W. Hayden ; 1845 — E. D. Masters, 
J. H. Jenks and Daniel Lansing ; 1846— A. H. Waldo, S. A. Rice and C. W. Hayden ; 1847, 
none elected ; 1848 — A. H. Waldo, Stephen Davenport and Emanuel Hake. Thereafter the 
office was abolished. 

Comit/issumers of Sclwoh — 1843 — Winslow Blake, Frederick A. Potter and D. W. Kellogg ; 
1844_W. P. Ward," Alonzo Wing and Alpheus Taylor ; 1845— C. W. Hayden, John E. Holmes 
and Alonzo H. Waldo; 1846 — Asa F. Snell, Harvey Sanborn and John D. Barker; 1847, 
none elected ; 1848 — Alonzo AVing, Harvey Sanborn and Caleb S.Smith. Thereafter the 
office of School Superintendent was substituted for the Commissioners, and filled in 184S 
1850 and 1851, by Alonzo Wing; 1852, Daniel F. Weymouth; 1853-54, John Wheeler; 
1855, A. Wing; 1856, 0. C. Merriman. 

Collectors — In 1843, no election, Frederick A. Potter and James 0. Frost having each 
received thirty votes ; 1844, George Crist was elected ; 1845, Caleb Stevens ; 184G, Harvej 
D. Phelps; 1847, Nathan Crosby ; 1848, 0. S. Brandon. Thereafter the office was abolished. 

Constables — 1843, James C. Frost; 1844 — George Crist, Josiah Drew and Gay Hayden ; 
1845 — Harvey Sanborn, Abram P. Birdsey and Charles Hoyt ; 1846 — Charles Hoyt, Gaj 
Hayden and H. D. Phelps ; 1847 — Othello S. Brandon, Nathaniel Crosby and Harmon V, 
Heilen ; 1848 — Othello S. Brandon, Solon Brown and Ralph P. Harrington ; 1849 — Zebulon 
Whipple, Moses Phillips and Peter Oelberg ; 1850— Othello S. Brandon, Franklin J. Roberts 
and John Anthony ; 1851, John Anthony and Charles Frissell ; 1852 — E. G. Darling, Jesse 
Hubbell and W. W. Seeley ; 1853— Jesse Hubbell, John Anthony and Eber Stone; 1854, S, 
A. Brown and A. G. Locke ; 1855 — Jolin Brown, A. G. Howes, Eber Stone and J. F. W. Meyer ; 
1856 — C.J. Bell, John Young and Conrad Heger ; 1857 — IraW. Bird, Isaac Savage and George 
Hebard (to fill vacancy). 

Sealer of Weiyhts and Measures — 1843, Herbert Reed ; 1844, Lysander F. Bastian ; 
1845, Enias D. Masters; 1852, Jacob Maydole; 1853, John Anthony; 1854, Zebulon Whip- 
ple; 1856, Adam Spangler; 1857, John Medick. 

Justices of the Peace — 1846 — George Trucks, Robert Masters and H. Foster; 1847, A. 
Foster and Winslow Blake; 1848 — W. Blake, Isaac Savage and John E. Holmes; 1849 — Isaac 
Savage, Charles Rodgers, William Sanborn and D. H. Miller ; 1850 — Isaac Savage, Alonzo E, 
Avery, Pearley D. Bagley and A. B. Curtis; 1851, Winslow Blake and Charles Rogers; 
1852— John E. Holmes, 0. Bullwinkcl and E. D. Masters ; 1853— W. W. Torrey (to fill 
vacancy), Charles Rogers and Isaac Savage; 1854, George Hebard and G. W. Hoyt; 1855 — 
I. W. Bird, Charles Rogers and P. D. Bagley ; 1856, 0. Bullwinkel and Rufus Dodge ; 1857, 
Ira W. Bird, Isaac Savage and George Hebard. 

VILLAGE CHARTER. 

By an act of the Legislature, approved March 9, 1857, a certain piece or parcel of land, 
described by metes and bounds, and known as the Toffn of Jefferson, was set apart as a town- 
ship proper and created a body corporate and politic, by the name and style of the Village of 
Jefferson, to be competent to have and e.xercise all the rights and privileges, and be subject to 
all the duties and obligations, pertaining to a municipal corporation. The government of the 
village was vested in a President (ex officio a Trustee), four Trustees, one Marshal, a Treasurer 
and an Assessor, to be elected on the first Tuesday of May, annually, and to hold their respective 
offices one year, or until their successors are chosen and qualified. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 473 

At the first election held in pursuance of the act of incorporation, N. C. Hurlburt, Charles 
Stoppenbach, George Trucks and E. G. Fifield, were chosen Trustees, with J. E. Holmes, Presi- 
dent, and Charles T. Clothier, Clerk. 

The meetings were held at stated periods, and the business transacted being such as is 
ordinarily disposed of by municipal Boards of Aldermen. 

At subsequent elections, until the village charter was amended in 1867, and the subsequent 
incorporation of the village into a city, village officers were elected and served as follows: Presidents 
—1858, Charles T. Clothier ; 1859, Geo. Crist ; 1860, Ira W. Bird ; 1861, Charles T. Clothier ; 
1862, Charles Stoppenbach; 1863, John Jung; 1864, John Jung; 1865, Edward McMahon ; 
1865, Gerrit T. Thorn, (at a special election held May 27) ; 1866, Gerrit T. Thorn ; 1867-68, 
Christopher Grimm; 186'J,' Nicholas Jung; 1870, P. N. Waterbury ; 1871-72, Ira W. Bird ' 
1873, S. T. McKenney; 1874, C. Grimm; 1875, Ira W. Bird; 1876, W. H. Porter; 187?' 
Ira W. Bird. 

Trustees — 1858 — Charles Stoppenbach, 0. C. Merriman, A. H. Waldo and John Reinel, Jr ; 
1859— E. Schwellenbach, J. M. Miller, N. Kispert and John Seifert ; I860— D. F.Jones, 
John Hager, John Reinel, Jr., and Conrad Heger ; 1861 — Alonzo Wing, G. T. Thorn, William 
Puerner, Jr., and Conrad Heger; 1862 — Alonzo Wing, John Hager, Christian Muck and Eber 
Stone; 1868 — Franz Aumann, John Reinel, Jr., Christian Muck and Eber Stone; 1864 — 
Alonzo Wing, William Zoehrlaut, J. AV. Ostrander and Solon Brown ; 1865 — Christian Muck, 
Joseph Mansfield, J. M. Mueller and Henry Walther ; George L. Chapin, at special election 
held May 27, 1865 ; 1866 — N. J. Steinaker, Adam Spangler, Nicholas Jung and Jacob 
Maydole. 

In 1867, the charter was amended by dividing the village into four districts and increasing 
the number of Trustees to eight, upon which basis the election of that and subsequent years 
until 1878 was held, resulting as follows : For 1867 — Edward Copeland and C. A. Holmes, 
of the First District; Nelson Bruett and Martin Meyer, of the Second; Nicholas Jung and 
John Reinel, Jr., of the Third, and Nicholas Haas and George W. Bird, of the Fourth. 1868 
— C. A. Holmes and Edward Copeland, of the First District; P. N. Waterbury and William 
Fanholts, of the Second ; Nicholas Jung and Andrew Fuerner, Jr., of the Third, and John 
Jung and Joseph Stoppenbach of the Fourth. 1869 — W. P. Forsyth and George L. Ciiapin, 
of the First District ; Charles Stoppenbach and Adam Smith, of the Second ; George From- 
mader and Andrew Puerner, Jr., of the Third, and C. K. Zimmerman and Henry Walth6r, of 
the Fourth. 1870 — Jacob Maydole and Paul Hitchcock, of the First District ; Adams Smith 
and C. Muck, of the Second ; Andrew Puerner, Jr., and J. M. Mueller, of the Third, and Ira 
W. Bird and Penry Walther, of the Fourth. 1871 — J. Maydole, William Zoehrlaut, Henry 
AValther, J. M. Mueller, Henry Mueller, William P. Forsyth, J. Haws and E. Stoppenbach. 
1872 — Paul Hitchcock and Marshall Lane, of the First District ; S. T. McKenney and William 
Zoehrlaut, of the Second; Jacob Breunig and George Frommader, of the Third, and Ernest 
Schwellenbach and John M. Roessler, of the Fourth. 1873 — G. J. Smith and Marshall Lane, 
of the First District; William Zoehrlaut and Adams Smith of the Second ; Jacob Breunig and 
John Reinel, Jr., of the Third, and Martin Friedel and R. Schwellenbach, of the Fourth. 1874 
— George Copeland and James Gates of the First District ; William Zoehrlaut and Solon Brown, 
of the Second ; John Reinel, Jr., and P. McAtee, of the Third, and Martin Freidel and Charles 
liling, of the Fourth. 1875 — George Copeland and James Gates, of the First District; Solon 
Brown and Adams Smith, of the Second ; J. M. Mueller and Joseph Loetz, of the Third, and J. 
F. W. Meyer and Henry Walther of the Fourth. 1876 — Orrin Henry and Philip Wolf, of the 
First District ; Solon Brown and W. P. Ward, of the Second ; W. C. Waldo and Andrew Puerner, 
Jr., of the Third, and S. Roessler and F. Jung, of the Fourth. 1877 — Orrin Henry and Phillip 
Wolf, of the First District ; Solon Brown and Francis Fanholts, of the Second ; W. C. Waldo 
and G. J. Loetz, of the Third, and Simon Roessler and G. Muck, of the Fourth. 

Clerk — 1865, W. H. Tousley, 1866, Nicholas Steinaker ; 1867-68, Nicholas Steinaker; 
1369, W. H. Porter; 1870, N. Steinaker; 1871-74, D. E. Baker; 1875-77, F. E. Illing. 



474 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Treamrer— 1858, Ira W. Bird; 1859-60, John Young; 1861-62, D. D. Lansing; 1863. 
N. J. Steinaker; 1864, Adam Spangler ; 1865, George W. Bird; 1866, W. H. Tousley ; 1867, 
H. W. Brandon ; 1868, Joseph Weiss ; 186'J, Charles F. Bullwinkel ; 1870-71, N. Winter- 
ling; 1872-74, Henry Walther ; 1875, A. G. Locke; 1876-77, Henry Walther. 

Street Commissioner — 1865, William F. Puerner ; 1866, William F. Puerner; 1867, J. F. 
W.Meyer; 1868, William F. Puerner; 1860, A. Brown; 1870, George Crist: 1871, C. L. 
Schenck; 1872, D. F. Jones; 1873, W. P.Ward; 1874-75, J. L. Manville: 1876, Henry 
Zeh ; 1877, Paul Kiesling. 

Village Attornerj—D. F. Weymouth, 1867 ; George W. Bird, 1868 ; D. F. AVeymouth, 
1869-70; W. H. Porter, 1871-72; D. F. Wevmouth, 1873; D. C. Weymouth, 1874; W. 
L. McKenney, 1875 ; N. Steinaker, 1876 ; Robert Kirkland, 1877. 

3/ar8/(a;—Eber Stone, 1858 ; S. N. Massey, 1859; Michael Jahn, 1860 ; J. F. W. Meyer, 
1861 ; John Reichel, 1862 ; Joseph Hotter, 1863 ; John Si.xbee, 1864 ; Joseph Hotter, 1865 ; 
John Sixbee, at a special election held August 12. 1865; J. G. Heilmann, 1866; James L. 
Manville, 1867; C. J. Weiss, 1868 ; Peter Xettersham, 1869; A. Brown, 1870-71-72 ; G. 
Mack, 1873 ; A. Brown. 1874 ; C. Whipple, 1875 : A. J. Vandewater, 1876-77. 

The amendment to the village charter, approved April 4, 1867, provided for the election of 
a Police Justice, triennially. In accordance therewith, Geritt T. Thorn was chosen at the election 
held the May following, but failing to iiualify by June 15, a special election was held, at which 
J. F. W. Meyer was elected his successor, and served until the charter election of 1870, when 
C. A. Holmes was elected. In 1871, Capt. Nelson Bruett was elected to fill the vacancy occa- 
sioned by the resignation of Mr. Holmes, and in 1872 was elected for a term of three years. 
In 1875, W. L. McKenney was elected. 

County Supervisors — G. W. Bird, 1870 ; no record until 1874, when Charles Stoppen- 
bach was elected, and served until the granting of the city charter. 

■Justice of the Peace — Elected in accordance with the general law providing for the election 
of '• one Justice of the Peace and one Constable for each incorporated village," approved March 
12, 1874. For 1876, George Crist; 1877. Christopher Grimm. 

Constables — For 1876, Charles Whipple ; 1877, A. J. Vandewater. 

Assessor — Mathias Melzner, 1858; Gilbert Allen, 1859; George Kispert, 1860; Joseph 
Berger, 1861; N. J. Steinaker, 1862; Joseph Berger, 1863; Adam Spangler, 1864; Joseph 
Berger, 1865 ; Joseph Berger, 1866 — abolished. 

Pathmasters — Conrad Heger, A. Muck and N. Kispert, 1865; abolished. 

By an act of the Legislature, approved March 19, 1878, the village of Jefferson was incor- 
porated as a city, divided into three wards, and provision made for the government thereof by 
the election of a Mayor and Police Justice; also two Aldermen and one Supervisor from each 
Ward. Elections for Mayor and Aldermen to be annually, for Police Justice, once in three years. 
All other officers necessary for the management of the city were to be appointed by the Com- 
mon Council. 

In obedience to the provisions of the charter, elections have been held as follows, with the 
accompanying results : April 9, 1878, Ira W. Bird, Mayor ; W. L. McKenney, Police Justice ; 
J. W. Ostrander, Supervisor from the First Ward ; Adam Spangler, of the Second Ward, and 
Christopher Grimm of the Third : George Copeland, William P. Forsyth, Aldermen of the 
First Ward ; .John Reinel, Jr., and Edward McMahon, of the Second, and G. Muck and S. T. 
McKenney, of the Third. Pursuant to Section 2, Chapter VII. of the charter, the Common Council 
convened Tuesday evening, April 16, 1878, organized ami appointed the following officers : 
Edward McMahon, President ; F. E. lUing, Clerk ; H. Walther, Treasurer ; A. J. Vandewater, 
Marshal ; W. II. Porter, City Attorney, and A. Hemingway, Street Commissioner. 

At the election held on Tuesday, April 8, 1879, the following officers were awarded certificates : 

Mayor — John Reinel. Jr. 

Supervisors — J. W. Ostrander, of the First Ward ; Adam Spangler, of the Second, and 
Christopher Grimm, of the Third. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 475 

Aldermen — George Copeland and Orrin Henry, of the First Ward ; William Verhalen and 
Jacob Breuniff, of the Second, and Ernst Schwellenback and Charles F. Bullwinkel, of the 
Third. 

At a meeting of the Common Council, convened Tuesday evening, April 15, 1879, George 
Copeland was chosen President of the Board, and the following city officers appointed : F. E. 
Illiiig, Clerk ; S. Roessler, Treasurer ; A. J. Vandewater, Marshal ; John Lederer, Street 
Commissioner; D. C. Weymouth, City Attorney; R. M. Clark, Adam Kispert and Christopher 
Grimm, School Commissionei's. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

It was not until the village of Jefferson had sustained several severe losses by fire, involving 
the destruction of an extensive brick grist-mill, foundry and machine shops, and many other 
buildings, that its citizens fully appreciated the situation, and agitated the necessity of procuring 
reliable apparatus for self-protection. In the summer of 1871, a call for a meeting of citizens 
was issued, for the purpose of taking action in the premises, and, though a meeting was held and 
largely attended, and though the absolute necessity of immediate action was admitted, a diversity 
of opinion found expression as to whether a hand or steam fire-engine should be purchased. 
After the convening of several meetings, and a prolonged debate on the merits of the subjects 
in hand, the question was finally decided in favor of a steam engine, together with all the 
appurtenances thereunto belonging, and a committee was appointed to procure a machine of 
acknowledged merit. 

In harmony with the directions made in that behalf, the Committee, after a canvass of the 
various proposals submitted for its adjudication, concluded a contract with the Silsby Manufac- 
turing Company for the delivery of an engine of the rotary pattern, together with a hose-cart 
and 1,000 feet of hose, for the sum of $7,813.75. 

In the meantime, the organization of a company was in progress, and, on the 14th day of 
August, 1871, a number of citizens assembled at the furniture store of J. C. Tilton for the pur- 
pose of completing such organization. John Hawes occupied the chair. W. H. Porter officiated 
as Secretary, and a committee was appointed, charged with the duty of enrolling members. The 
ensuing week a meeting was held, the committee reported and were discharged, and the organ- 
ization was perfected by the election of the following officers, which was the nucleus of the 
present Department : Thomas Conan, Foreman ; G. J. Smith, First Assistant ; Paul Kiesling, 
Second Assistant ; W. H. Porter, Secretary ; J. C. Tilton, Treasurer, and Alvis Beischel, Hose 
Captain. The Board of Village Trustees confirmed this election, and appointed A. J. Vande- 
water Engineer, who appointed Martin Friedel and Henry Walther his assistants. 

The Village Hoard at once issued plans and specifications for the building of an engine- 
house, hooks, ladders, trucks, etc., and, at a meeting held September 3, 1871, the former was 
let to Charles Stoppenbach for $3,750 ; the latter to Beischel & Reul for $459, who completed 
their contract, the engine-house being the handsome brick structure which now decorates the 
corner of Milwaukee and Second streets. 

In the montli of November following, a hook and ladder company was organized and the 
following officers elected : John Bieniang, Foreman ; James Puerner, First Assistant ; Lorenz 
Meyer, Second Assistant ; Andrew Riess, Secretary, and F. J. Berg, Treasurer. 

Since its organization, the Department has responded to more than twenty alarms, and in 
every instance did excellent work, notwithstanding that, on several occasions, the fire was so 
located as to threaten the destruction of the most valuable portion of the city, and but for the 
promptness and labor of the " boys," almost irreparable loss would have been the inevitable 
result. The dates of the various fires are as follows : 

In 1872 — January 13, April 9 and 25, and June 29. 

In 1873— March "ll and October 19. 

In 1874 — AugiHt 15 and 18, November 25 and December 17. 

In 1875— January 4, March 27 and October 28. 



476 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

In 1876 — June 25 and December 2. 

In 1877 — September 30, November 11 and December 22. 

In 1878 — February 14, March 17 and September 5. 

In 1879 — To date, March 5. 

In 1876, it was found that the engine-house was too small for the necessities of the service, 
and that, owing to architectural defects, there was no means for the proper care of the hose, 
which became, in consequence of such defects, materially damaged. With a view to remedy 
the existing evils, it was decided to build an addition to the engine-house; also a hose tower, 
which was completed, during the year 1877, by Adam Spangler, at a cost of 5>1>356, including 
§200 paid Mrs. Adam Muck for the realty. 

At present, the Department is in perfect order, ample for any requirements in subduing 
the elements, and consists of an engine. Hook and Ladder and Hose Company, known and offi- 
cered as follows : 

Eureka Engine No. 1. — F. E. Illing. Foreman; Charles Illing, First Assistant; George 
Kiesling, Second Assistant ; Michael Beck, Secretary ; Adam Kispert, Treasurer, and thirty- 
five men. 

Hook and Ladder No. 1. — Christopher Bienfang, Foreman ; George Fuchs, First Assist- 
ant ; G. J. Loetz, Second Assistant ; John C. Fircher, Secretary ; Otto Kirschensteiner, Treas- 
urer, and forty-four men. 

The Hose Company is made up of thirteen men, commanded by Peter Schweiger, the entire 
force being under the control of Adam Spangler as Chief, with .James R. Garrity, Assistant, 
being the successors of James W. Ostrander, who was Chief of the Department from its organ- 
ization to the appointment of Mr. Spangler. 

The Department is supported by a tax levied on the assessed property of the city, and water 
is procured for the extinguishment of fires from cisterns distributed about the city, as also from 
Rock River. 

The value of property owned by the Department is stated at $16,000. 

WATER POWER. 

During the session of the Territorial Legislature, convened and held in 1842, an act was 
passed empowering D. G. and Gilmore Kendall to construct a dam across Rock River for the 
purposes of improving tbe navigation of that stream and affording motive power, to be applied 
to the running of mills, etc. The act was approved on the 4th of February, 1842, and, on the 
1st of May, the construction of the dam was commenced by D. G. Kendall and E. G. Darling, 
to whom Gilmore Kendall had conveyed his interest. 

The work was done by these gentlemen, assisted by George Crist and others. They con- 
structed a crib-work of logs for piers, at short distances from each other, across the river, on 
the top of which were placed stringers of heavy logs, surmounted by spars of tamarack timber 
from eight to twelve inches in thickness and about twenty feet long, one end of which was 
supported by the stringers, the opposite end slanting down on the up-stream side and resting 
on the river bed. The interstices were filled up with thin hewn pieces of timber, gravel, etc., 
and the work was completed during the winter of that or the following year. 

During the next spring, Messrs. Darling & Kendall constructed a saw-mill on the east side 
of the river, near the foot of Dodge street, which was also built under the supervision of Mr. 
Kendall, who raised the frame on November 1-3, and, during the winter, sawed the boards with 
which to roof the building. The premises were completed and became the scene of busy labors, 
continuing many years, until they were torn down in 1877. 

On the 8th of July, 1843, Alonzo Wing purchased E. G. Darling's interest in the water 
power, and, on the loth of the following February, became sole owner of the franchise by the 
purchase of D. G. Kendall's share, and so remained until 1848. The season of 1844 witnessed 
an unusual rise in the river, causing some damage to adjoining property, which was made the 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 477 

basis of a suit by the town of Aztalan. During this summer, a steamer made its way from St. 
Louis to Jefferson, via Rock River, and " tied up" for a few days at a point immediately north 
of the bridge at present crossing Crawfish River, on the west side, where it remained for a 
"few hours," an object of special interest, and then returned to the bosom of the Father of 
Waters. 

On the 29th of May, 1845, the dam was indicted as a nuisance by the grand jury of 
Jefferson County, to which a plea of not guilty was made, and, upon the issue being joined, the 
case proceeded to trial, resulting in a verdict of acquittal, rendered on the 26th of May, 1846. 
It might be here observed that four actions have been instituted against the dam at various times 
by plaintiffs who alleged that they had sustained serious injuries to their lands by reason of over- 
flow, in three of which the plaintiffs have been compelled to pay the costs. 

On the 23d of February, 1848, Mr. Wing sold a quarter-interest in the property to Mer- 
rick Sawyer, and, with that gentleman, began the erection of a saw-mill on the present site of 
the woolen-mills. Mr. Wing had charge of its construction, raised the frame in September and 
the building was completed and in running order in the following winter. The spring-water, 
which is so much resorted to by invalids now, came out of the ground under the west sill of the 
mill with such force that it was carried to the second story, where it supplied the mill-hands 
with drinking and bathing water. The old mill did faithful service until ao;e and rivals unfitted 
it for duty, when the building was torn down and its site appropriated to the occupation of the 
Jefferson Woolen Mills. 

On the 8th of August, 1849, Wing & Sawyer disposed of three-sixteenths of the dam 
property to George Hulburt, who, in conjunction with James Wadsworth, put up a large brick 
flouring-mill. The same year the purchase was made, they dredged a supply canal and utilized 
the water-power purchased to milling purposes to such advantage that the property now owned 
by Johnson & Wolf is one of the most valuable and extensive in this section of the State. 

On the 21st of January, 1851, Mr. Sawyer purchased an additional interest in the enter- 
prise, and, on the 27th of June, of the same year, the dam was pax-tially carried away by high 
water, which, however, was rebuilt soon after its destruction by Wadsworth. Hulburt & Wing, 
who, with Mr. Sawyer, owned the property jointly until March 13, 1852, when Mr. Wing repur- 
chased Mr. Sawyer's interest, and, on December 31 following, sold seven-sixteenths of his estate 
to Dwight Hillyer and Orrin Henry, who held title until November 1, 1854, when the latter 
disposed of his share to his partner, and, within a year thereafter, Mr. Wing sold the balance of 
his interest to John Seifert, who, with Wadsworth & Hulburt and Dwight Hillyer, became 
owners of the entirety. In 1857, W. D. Hillyer disposed of his interest to Charles Stoppen- 
bach, who, with John Seifert and Wadsworth & Hulburt, were proprietors of the premises until 
1864, when David Johnson purchased the latter's shares for $10,000. 

On the 19th of May and 21st of July, 1866, Stoppenbach and Seifert sold their stock to 
the Jefferson Woolen Mills, a corporation chartered in the spring of that year, the buildings of 
which were immediately erected and have since been run by the power thus afforded. 

This season (1879), the water has been unprecedentedly low and many repairs have been 
completed which will bear fruit for many seasons yet to come. 

The dam property is owned by Johnson & Wolf and the woolen mills, in the proportion of 
five-eighths to three-eighths, and is valued at $24,000. 

MANUFACTURES. 

Jifferson Woolen Manufacturing Company. — This manufacturing industry, one of the 
most extensive, prosperous and valuable in the county, is located on the west bank of Rock 
River, from which stream it is supplied with its valuable motive power. The Company was 
incorporated April 2, 1866, by Alonzo Wing, Edward McMahon, N. Jung, Charles Copeland, 
Charles Stoppenbach, William A. AVhipple, N. Groh, J. Bruenig and A. Grimm, with a capital 
stock of $25,000 (privileged to increase the same to $100,000), to be expended in the purchase 



478 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

of water power and lots, the erection of buildings and warehouses, and the. purchase of 
machinery. 

On the 8th of May following the act of incorporation, a meeting of the stockholdei-s was 
held at the Court House in Jeffei-son, at which a Board of Directors was elected, consisting of 
Alonzo Wing, Conrad Heger, Edward McMahon, Phillip Johnson, Jacob Bruenig, Niciiolas 
Jung and Charles Stoppenbach. Thereupon, A. Wing was elected President, Edward 
McMahon, Treasurer, and W. H. Porter, Secretary of the Board, and the erection of the 
building at present occupied by the works proper, together with dyehouses, warehouses, etc., 
was begun. These buildings were constructed after the most approved designs, supplied with 
machinery of the most complete pattern, and, in a year from the organization of the Company, 
work therein was commenced. 

On July 5, 1870, Charles Stoppenbach was elected President, John Mullanney, Secretary, 
and E. ISIcMahon, Treasurer, which administration was continued until May, 1871, when the 
offices of Secretary and Treasurer were consolidated, with John Mullanney as incumbent, who 
served until 187.3, when his interest was purch:ised by Frank Stoppenbach. who succce<led to 
the duties and preferments of Secretary and Treasurer. During the ensuing years, Mr. Stop- 
penbach, Sr., purchased the stock of the corporation gradually until July 1, 1879, when he 
secured all outstanding shares and became the sole proprietor of the mills, with all the privileges 
and appurtenances thereunto belonging, which ascendency he maintains at the present writing, 
with Frank Stoppenbach, Secretary, and George W. Dunwell, Superintendent. • 

The mills are an institution in Jetferson, and are conducted on the same plan as those in 
the East, where perfect order is preserved and thorough work "turned out," an incident of the 
business duplicated by the Jefferson company, which employs thirty-five hands, at a monthly 
salary aggregating §1,000. 

The product of the Company is made up of cassimeres, flannels, blankets, etc., of most 
excellent quality, from the best grades of wool, warranted, and from designs that reflect credit 
upon the artistic taste of their manufacturers. About ten thousand yards of these commodities 
are placed on the market each month, to which not less than seventy-five thousand pounds of 
wool are devoted annually, the sale of which furnishes a market to producers of the staple in 
the counties of Jefferson, Rock and Dane, Wis., as also in Minnesota. The manufactured 
goods are sold strictly to dealers in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, the 
sales of which the present year will, it is estimated, amount to not less than $75,000. To do 
this work, the factory runs four single and three double looms, which have been found insuffi- 
cientto supply the increasing demand. Triple looms will be substituted for the single looms 
during the year, and additions indispensable to a satisfactory continuance of the business will 
be completed within the same period of time. 

The capital invested is approximated at $50,000, and the prospects of the Company, 
incomparably promising, reflect credit upon the business enterprise and capacity of its founders. 

Wisennsin Mamifacturinij Oempani/. — Another important fiictor in the prosperity of Jef- 
ferson was organized in 1866. It was the outgrowth of an extensive furniture factory, inaugu- 
rated years ago by Clark, Cole & Ostrander, and has grown from comparative insignificance to 
mammoth proportions. 

The manufacture of chairs and bedsteads, those indispensable conveniences to domestic 
comfort, was first undertaken in a building at present utilized as a barn by the proprietors of tiie 
Jefferson House, by Jones & McLean. •' Horse-power" was the motive then employed, and the 
product was hawked about the country by the ambitious mechanics. But they declined to con- 
tinue the business, determined to seek their fortune further West, and Waldo Brothers, with Q. 
C. Cole, began where they left off, in a building at the corner of Main and Dodge streets. 
Early in 1856, Mr. Cole became associated with Messrs. Clark & Ostrander, who had decided to 
venture the manufacture of these articles on a more extensive scale, and, during that year, the 
firm put up a building adapted to their uses, at the western end of the Milwaukee Street Bridge. 
The year 1857 came, and with it the memorable financial panic which paralyzed business 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 479 

throughout the country. Notwithstanding the adverse circumstances born of tlie "tight times" 
then prevailing, Clark, Cole and Ostrander kept on, confident that the future would fully reimburse 
their outlay. They purchased an engine of the Bay State Foundry, Milwaukee, completed a 
building for manufticturing purposes, and, with their capital increased by the loan of $200 from 
a " California widow," tided over the dull times, and entered upon the season of ISftS with 
abundant promise of prosperity. The firm employed twelve men, contributing their individual 
efforts also to the procuration of material, its manufiicture into substantial chairs and bedsteads, 
which they transported by wagon to Madison and Whitewater, for shipment to points at which 
purchasers resided. 

In 185S, Mr. Cole disposed of his interest in the business to Clark & Ostrander, and 
returned to the place of his nativity in Maine. 

The new firm prospered. From the early spring of 1858, business increased, and the 
demand for goods manufactured by them was greater than they were able to supply. The dark 
days of uncertainty and financial depression had passed away, and were followed by " flush 
times." The projectors of the enterprise, within eighteen months from the date of their invest- 
ment in Mr. Cole's interest, had paid off the debt thereby incurred, and counted their assets, 
free from incumbrance. They increased their force, enlarged their manufactory, fitted it up 
with improved machinery, and extended their patronage to localities which had previously 
depended upon Milwaukee or Chicago for their supplies. In short, having attained the highway 
of success, they pursued its windings with renewed zeal and determination. 

In 1866, so extensive had the business become, that it was found necessary to once more 
enlarge and improve their facilities. At this time, it was decided to re-organize the business 
and establish a stock company, which was accordingly done, R. W. Clark, J. W. Ostrander, 
Dempster Ostrander, Merrick Sawyer and William P. Forsyth being the incorporators, with R. 
W. Clark, President ; Merrick Sawyer, Vice President ; Dempster Ostrander, Secretary, and J. 
W. Ostrander, Superintendent. Since that date, the management of the business has been in 
charge of officers elected annually by the Board of Directors, and the success which has attended 
their efforts has not been greater than has been merited. 

The stock has been, up to the present time, procured from Wolf Creek, whereon the com- 
pany have erected saw-mills, but these were disposed of in the spring of 1879, and at the present 
writing, with a large supply on hand, the oSicers of the Company are looking out for available 
property. The capital stock now is stated at $33,000, having been reduced to that figure from 
$75,000 during the year 1878. Forty-five men are eraploj'ed, who annually manufacture 6,000 
bedsteads, and 40,0iM) chairs, for the labor on which they are paid a matter of $1,500 monthly. 
In addition to the manufactory proper, the company is supplied with saw-mills, dry-houses, ware- 
houses, etc., representing a valuation of $20,000. The stock is disposed of in Illinois, Iowa, 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, and the Company officers for 1879 are : R. W. Clark, President; P. 
Hitchcock, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer ; R. W. Clark, P. Hitchcock, W. P. For- 
syth, E. Garfield, Yale Henry and John Puerner, Board of Directors. 

Jefferson Foundry. — In the spring of 1875, John Gulden, a well-known and capable 
mechanic of Jefferson, opened a machine and blacksmith shop on East Racine street, near its 
junction with Darling. He built what was then supposed to be an establishment of suffi- 
cient dimensions for his business, fitted it up with an engine and the improved "tools" of his 
craft, and thus began in a modest way what is now the Jefferson Foundry. In 1876, Mr. 
Gulden increased the capacity of his building by additions and extended his field of operations 
so as to include molding and the manufacture of patterns in the several departments of his 
works. 

On the 1st of January, 1877, 0. C. Vaughn, a finished mechanic, became associated with 
the business and more buildings were added to the original structure, which was again enlarged 
on May 1, 1878, when S. A. Buchanan, inventor of the sulky cultivator, became a partner ; 
since which date, the firm has been known as Gulden, Vaughn & Co. During the winter of 
1878, larger additions were completed, improved machinery was set up, a new engine put in and 



480 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

the firm now has suflBcient power to furnish employment to fifty hands. In addition to the sulky 
corn cultivators which they make, they manufticture wagons, plows, harrows, wood-saws and 
every article made in a first-class machine-shop. They also do a general blacksmithing business, 
refit steam engines, etc. In the foundry is done all kinds of casting, from gem-irons to tlie 
heaviest kind of machine work, including the manufacture of what the proprietors claim to be 
the best steel plow ever placed upon the market. It is a new pattern, cannot be clogged by 
straw or weeds, well finished and possesses the merits of durability and cheapness. 

During the season of 1878, the firm manufactured one hundred cultivators, the same num- 
ber of plows, fifty wagons, and completed contracts which, with the business proper, produced a 
revenue of not less than $1,000 per month, and gave employment to twelve men, at an annual 
cost for labor alone of not less than $12,000. 

The capital invested is represented at $5,000. The business has more than doubled during 
the past six months, and the Jeft'erson Foundry gives promise of becoming one of the first of 
Jefferson industries, which only requires reasonable time to be realized. 

Jefferson Boot and Shoe Factory. — In the spring of 1868, George Copeland and Lewis 
Ryder, composing the present firm of Copeland & Ryder, proprietors of this important branch 
of industry in JeflFerson, left Bridgewater, Mass., and emigrated to their present residence. 
Their object in coming hither was to establish a line of business at that date comparatively 
unknown in Wisconsin. They consummated arrangements without delay, and, on May 1, of 
that year, began operations, in a small, unpretentious frame building on First street, West Jefler- 
son, on the site of their present extensive establishment, employing eight hands. Their atten- 
tion to business, skill in manufacture and the superior quality of material employed, soon 
acquired a reputation for the firm that was manifested by numberless orders, and an annual 
increase of business beyond expectation. Dealers, upon trial, ascertained that they could pro- 
cure stock at the same rate as in the East, thus dispensing with the cost of transportation and 
other incidental expenses, which enabled them to effect sales at reasonable figures and with 
remunerative profit. This knowledge, as stated, increased the business of the firm and neces- 
sitated an increase of facilities to supply the demand, which now requires not less than fifteen 
thousand pairs of boots and shoes annually. Of course, additional buildings were erected, a 
large force of hands employed and a "trade " extending throughout the Northwest established. 
At present writing, three large buildings are devoted to the manufacture, finish, storage and sale 
of their goods, re(juiring the services of thirty-five hands and the outlay in payment for material 
anil salaries of upward of $42,000 per annum. 

The material is procured in New York, Chicago, Boston, Milwaukee and at other points, 
and is always the best in the market. 

The stock manufactured is correspondingly good, there being no cheap work turned out, but 
the finest grades of calf and kip, which find ready sale throughout Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, 
Wisconsin and California and aggregates $-50,000 a year. Indeed, the fame of the .Jefferson 
shoe is unequaled. The firm, in putting its goods upon the market, have adopted the plan of 
giving the agency for its sale to but one house in a village or city where the population does 
not exceed five thousand, and, in this way, have not only concentrated trade, but can deliver at 
less cost than if it was generally distributed. 

The capital invested is stated at $20,000, and the yearly increase of business justifies the 
claims of the firm to unsurpassed material and square dealing. 

The Jefferson Rope and Cordage Works owes its establishment to Thomas Illing, an 
experienced ropemaker. He began business in 1865, and continued its pursuit for upward of 
nine years, attracting an increased patronage with each succeeding year, owing to the superiority 
of the goods placed upon the the market. 

In the year 1875, it became necessary to increase his facilities to supply the demand. 
Ad<litional buildings were erected and supplied with machinery, and Mr. Illing formed a copart- 
nership with his sons, F. E. and J. C. Illing, since which date the firm name has been that of 
Thomas Illing & Sons. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 481 

The goods turned out by the firm are manufactured from the best qualities of manila, 
mported from the East Indies, Sisal and American hemp, and embraces every variety of rope 
md cordage, from wrapping twine to a two-inch cable, and finds ready sale in nearly every vil- 
age, town and city in the State. 

As at present constituted, the firm employs a force of nine men, and occupies commodious 
(uartcrs at the corner of Fourth and Dodge streets. 

Tlie raw material worked up into stock each year, necessitates an outlay estimated at 
^30,000, and it is disposed of to dealers and manufacturers all over the country. 

Johnson .f Wolf's Flouring Mill. — This firm occupies commodious quarters on the west 
)ank of the Rock River, and is doing an extensive business. The building was erected in 
L8-19, and is the first venture of the kind made in Jefferson that has continued uninter- 
'uptedly from its foundation to the present time. In that year, George Hulburt and James 
PVadsworth began the business of milling in the newly erected building, which was supplied with 
;wo run of stones, propelled by Water-power. 

In 1850, Mr. Wadsworth disposed of his interest to his partner, and retired from the field. 
VIr. Hulburt conducted the business for several seasons in conjunction with his sons, and, in 
1865, sold out to David Johnson, senior member of the firm of Johnson & Wolf This was in 
1865. In the spring of 1869, Mr. Johnson became associated with John Puerner, and, during 
;he summer jf that year, P. Wolf purchased a third interest in the establishment, when the firm 
yas known as Johnson, Puerner & Wolf. In the following fall, Puerner sold his stock to Yale 
Henry, whose name was substituted for that of Puerner in the firm, and so continued for about 
)ne year, when Mr. Henry retired, his investment being purchased by Mr. Johnson. 

"in 1867, the firm improved the machinery, put in three turbine wheels, another set of stones, 
3tc., and, in 1809, further improved their facilities by another turbine wheel and set of stones. 

The mill is now in complete running order, employs six hands, at a monthly cost of $300, 
md turns out 600 barrels of flour weekly, in addition to large custom supplies. 

The capital invested is rated at §2.5,000, and the stock is shipped, generally, to Chicago. 

Neuer .f Geigleins Brewery. — The oldest manufiictory of malt liquor in the city of 
left'erson is located on East Racine, nearly opposite Marion street, and enjoys a well-deserved 
reputation for the quality of its production. Stephen Neuer, the founder of the concern, emi- 
grated from the Kingdom of Wurtemberg some twenty-eight years ago, and established himself 
in Milwaukee as a maltster. He remained there, however, but a short time, when he came to 
left'erson and opened the brewery which bears his name and is well known all over the county. 

Mr. Neuer attended personally to the details of his business, the brewing of the beer, its 
sale, etc., from the day of its inauguration until his death, on the 30th of August, 1874, when 
he was succeeded by his son. Christian R. Neuer, who is the present senior partner, having 
become associated with John C. Geiglein during the year 1878. 

The firm manufactures 500 barrels annually, which they dispose of to dealers in the city 
md surrounding country, the receipts therefor aggregating in the neighborhood of $3,000. 

Ddtvner .('• Hegers Brewery was purchased by Henry Downer and Rudolph Heger from 
Henry Long, about the 1st of October, 1873. It is located on Third street, near the corner of 
Mechanic, and enjoys a generous patronage from dealers in the city and county, particularly 
those residing in Cambridge, Johnson's Creek and Fort Atkinson. 

Four hands are employed in conjunction with the proprietors, who prepare their own malt, 
and turn out about one thousand barrels of foaming lager annually. In the manufacture of this, 
the firm use about two thousand bushels of malt and ten bales of hops, and the yearly sales 
amount to about $7,000. 

The firm own the property, buildings, etc., and estimate the capital invested at $4,000. 

Brninig's Brewery. — This prominent feature of Jeff'erson skill and enterprise was first 
established by Jacob Breunig in 1855, in a frame house, at the corner of Main and Racine 
streets. In May, 1863. the frame was razed and an immense and costly brick brewery, resi- 
dence, hall for theatrical entertainments and an icehouse erected on its site, at an aggregate cost 



482 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

of $14,000. The brewery is 84x45, three stories high, and the malting is by a new anc 
improved process, which is said to materially add to the quality of the beer. The icehouse wa; 
completed in 1871, is 40x34, and has capacity for sufficient ice to last through an extendei 
season. The hall for dancing and theatrical purposes is 80x4-5, fitted up with a commodioui 
stage, scenery, etc., and the appurtenances usual to similar improvements. 

Mr. Breunig employs five hands, at a monthly salary of nearly §150, and uses in the manufac 
ture of his commodity, which averages 1,500 barrels annually, 5,000 bushels of barley and 3,00( 
pounds of hops. 

The capital invested is estimated at about §30,000, and his receipts upward of §12,000. 

The manufacture of brick is carried on by John Puerner &; Co. and Michael Kemmeter 
John Puerner, Anton Stiel and William Hammeson, established in the fall of 1872, occupy 
extensive premises on North Main street, contiguous to the city limits. The company eraployi 
a force of seventeen men and four boys, and the yard is driven to its fullest capacity — 1,100,00( 
brick being burned every year. About 20 per cent of these are the finest qualities of pressed brick 
the balance being what are known to the trade as "common qualities." Fully three-fourths o 
the manufacture are shipped to consumers in Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin, tin 
remaining quarter being appropriated to home consumption. In their preparation for use, liO( 
cords of wood are required, at a monthly cost of §200, and §600 for the payment of hands, thi 
yard being in operation on an average about five months in the year. 

The capital invested is said to be §5,000, and the annual receipts upward of §7,000. 

Michael Kemmeter s Brickyard is located on the east side of the Whitewater pike, aboul 
half a mile south of the Court House, and occupies three acres of ground. The business waf 
established at this point by Mr. K. in May, 1869, and during the time that has since elapsed 
he has built up a large and profitable institution. 

His stock consists of pressed and common brick, which is marketed in Chicago, Milwaukee 
Janesville, Madison and the surrounding country, from the sales of which he aggregates £ 
revenue for five months' labor of not less than §4,000 per annum. 

He employs a force of twelve men and six boys, at an expense, including the cost of material 
of §125 weekly, and turns out, during the five months' run, 1,100,000 brick, 50,000 of whicl 
are pressed, using in their preparation for market thousands of tons of a peculiar grade of cla} 
and 500 cords of wood. 

The capital invested is stated at §5,000, and his commodity is of the "gilt-edged " order- 

Bairenther's Tannery, located on Block 34, on South Fourth street, was projected by Charles 
Bairenther i: Co., during the fall of 1874. On January 1, 1875, they began the erection of .i 
large building appropriated to their business, supplied with twenty-one vats, a 24-horse-powei 
engine, and other appurtenances, which was completed during the spring of that year at a cosi 
of §8,000, since when the business has increased at a rate that must have been gratifying and 
profitable. 

The firm now employ eight men, at a monthly salary of §300, and work up about one 
thousand two hundred hides annually into the various grades of kip, calf, upper, collar, and 
harness leather. This spring (1879), a horse-collar manufactory has been added to the busi- 
ness. 

Material is procured from all parts of the county, the bark used (hemlock) coming from 
Menominee, Mich., and entails an annual expense of §10,000. 

The business of the firm from sales, principally in Chicago and Milwaukee, aggregates 
§20,000 yearly. 

The capital invested is represented to be §10,000. 

John HennerVs Tannery is situated on Darling street, opposite Water, in close proximity 
to the river. He began business at that point in the spring of 1863. in a frame building west 
of his present location, in which he carried on his trade until about six years ago. His increas- 
ing sales requiring enlarged facilities, Mr. Hennerl then erected a handsome brick 25x40 feet, 
containing six vats and other appliances of his trade. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 483 

He now employs three hands, at an annual expense of $1,200; tans 1,500 calf-skins and 
300 hides each year, which are placed upon the market as the highest grades of pebble-calf, 
wax-calf and wax-uppers. 

His sales are made to first hands, and amount to about $300 per month. 

The capital invested is estimated at $7,000. 

The Soda Water Manufacto)-y of Ellis Schweiger & Co. is of recent date, having been 
established on the 1st of January, 1878, at the corner of Main and Candise streets, by the senior 
member of the firm, which is composed of Mr. Schweiger and John Batcodt. Their business is 
transacted entirely during the summer and is daily increasing in voluiue. During the season of 
1879, the firm manufactured 36,000 bottles of this refreshing beverage, which was distributed 
ibout .Jefferson and adjoining counties, producing a revenue to the sellers of $1,500, 50 per cent 
jf which was profit. 

The establishment employs four hands, at a monthly salary of $75, and the investment rep- 
resents a valuation of $1,500. 

The Riverside Cheese Factory was established May 7, 1877, by Solon Brown, and is now in 
ictive operation, turning out hundreds of pounds of the appetizing condiment weekly. During 
the first year of Mr. Brown's experiment, full 4,000 pounds, of milk was used daily, which was 
increased the succeeding year to double that quantity. In 1877, it was believed that 4,000 
pounds would enable the establishment to supply the trade with its commodity. 

The cheese manufactured is what is known on the market as " English Chedder," is made 
of the best material and calculated almost exclusively for foreign consumption, where it is in 
great demand. 

The manufactory is located on the west side of the river, on the road to Fort Atkinson, 
easily accessible and represents an investment of $2,000. 

BANKS. 

The Jefferson. County Bank was originally organized under the State law as the Bank of 
Jefferson, with William M. Dennis, President, Edward McMahon, Cashier, and a capital of 
150,000. 

In May, 1865, the corporation re-organized under the National banking law, increasing 
its capital stock to $60,000, and becoming a bank of issue. The charter officers were A. H. 
Waldo, President ; Edward McMahon, Cashier, and Homer Cook, A. H. Waldo, A. Grimm, E. 
McMahon and John Jung, Board of Directors. 

This organization continued for ten years, when the stockholders surrendered their fran- 
chise and, ceasing to transact business as a National Bank, again re-organized under the State 
law, with a capital, including the surplus, of $50,000. The officers elected under the re-estab- 
lishment of the institution according to State laws were Charles Stoppenbach, President; Edward 
McMahon, Cashier, and W. W. Clark, Charles Stoppenbach, Jacob Bruenig, Edward McMahon 
and Edward Johnson, Directors. 

The bank is located on Main street, between Racine and Milwaukee streets, in a substantial 
one-story brick, 22x65, containing a steel safe with chronometer lock, and two vaults, one being 
used as a safe depository. The value of the bank property is estimated at $7,500. 

Fanners' and Meehanics'' Bank. — During the fall of 1873, the capitalists of Jefferson decided 
upon establishing another bank, to be known as the " Farmei's' and Merchants' Bank, of Jeffer- 
son." Accordingly, application was made and an act of incorporation issued to the following 
gentleman, bearing date December 22, 1873 : J. W. Ostrander, Robert Fargo, Volney Foster, 
Charles Grimm, C. Muck, Adam Smith, A. W. Cramer, Alonzo Wing, Charles Copeland, Mar- 
shall Lane, Anna Barbara Bullwinkel, E. Garfield, Joseph Stoppenbach, Charles John, W. F. 
Puerner, E. B. Fargo, G. M. Bird, G. C. Mansfield, James Morse, W. B. Harvey, W. W. Wood- 
man, J. D. Bullock, P. Hitchcock, Yale Henry, J. H. Myers, G. Seitz, J. N. Friedel, A. Grimm, 
Henry Haskell and A. Kispert. 



484 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

The capital of the corporation was stated at $50,000, and the business contemplated tha 
of general banking and exchange. 

On the day following, December 23, 1873, a meeting of the stockholders was held, at whic 
A. Grimm, J. W. Ostrander, A. Wing, Yale Henry, Paul Hitchcock. J. D. Bullock and R 
Fargo were elected a Board of Directors, of whom Yale Henry was elected President ; A. Win| 
Vice President ; A. Grimm, Cashier, and George J. Kispert, Teller. 

The corporation immediately purchased the building on East Main street (now known a 
the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank), of A. Grimm, for ^6,400 ; and on February 2, 187-1 
began business. Since that day, the career of the undertaking has been one of success, the caj 
ital stock increased to §60,000 paid up, and public confidence resulted, that is ever the attend 
ant of energy, business capacity and merit. 

The present Board of Directors is composed of Y'^ale Henry, Charles Bullwinkel. J. TV 
Ostrander, Adam Kispert, J. H. Myers, J. D. Bullock and Marshall Lane, with J. W. Ostrau 
der, President, J. D. Bullock, Vice President ; Yale Henry, Cashier, and George J. Kisperi 
Assistant Cashier. 

The value of the property owned by the bank, including office fi.^tures, etc., is estimated s 
about $9,000. 

ODD FELLOWS. 

Jefferson Lodge, No. 29. — This is the oldest Lodge in the city, having been organized on th 
30th of August, 1848. On that day, authority to establish a Chapter of the fraternity wa 
granted to John E. Holmes, M. Haskell, Henry Haskell, Harvey Sanborn and J. W. Ostrandei 
These gentlemen perfected the organization and elected the following officers : John E. Holmes 
N. G. ; Harvey Sanborn, V. G ; M. Haskell, Treasurer, and J. W. Ostrander, Secretary. 

The Society flourished under the several administrations, until the years of the war, whe 
the meetings were suspended and so remained till 1866, when a re-organization was effected, an 
the Lodge is to-day in the enjoyment of a gratifying prosperity. 

The present officers are : W. H. Porter, N. G. ; W. A. McFarlane, V. G. ; John Bankei 
Treasurer, and George Crist, Secretary, with a membership of eighty-five. Meetings are hel 
weekly in the Odd Fellows' Hall, Main street, between Milwaukee and Racine streets, and th 
Society owns property valued at about §6,000. 

Barbarosa Lodge, No. 202, 1. 0. 0. F., was organized under a dispensation granted Deceni 
ber 7, 1876, to F. E. Illing, G. Fehrmann, J. Puerner, H. Arnstein and G. D. Puerner. Th 
first officers were : F. E. Illing, N. G. ; Gustav Fehrmann, V. G. ; Joseph Puerner, Treasurei 
and Henry Arnstein, Secretary. 

The present officers are as follows : G. 0. Schittler, N. G. ; John Schmidt, V. G. ; Josep 
Freberger, R. S. ; G. Muck, F. S. ; Charles Seifert, Treasurer ; G. Tews, I. G. ; Henr 
Belman, 0. G. ; M. Prell, Conductor; Ernest Butz, Warden, and H. Arnstein, Charle 
Boreiter and Jacob Hayes, Trustees. 

The roll of members contains thirty-six of the craft, who meet weekly on Wednesday nigh 
at Odd Fellows" Hall. 

The Lodge owns property valued at §350. 

Jefferson Encampment, No. o?, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted January 19, 1870, in respons 
to the application of J. W. Ostrander, G. L. Chapin, H. Haskell, G. W. Bird, George Truck; 
David Baker and Solon Brown, who were the charter members. At an election held immediatel 
thereafter, the following officers were chosen to officiate : J. W. Ostrander, C. P. ; Henrv Has 
kell, H. P. ; G. L. Chapin, S. W. ; John Wheeler, J. W. ; David Baker, Treasurer, and'E. I 
Hatch, Scribe. 

The present officers are: W. H. Porter, C. P. : G. L. Chapin, H. P. ; John Tuttle, S. W. 
Henry Haskell, J. AV. ; A. McConnell, Treasurer, and J. W. Ostrander, Scribe. The roster ( 
membership includes thirty-five names. Meetings are held semi-monthly, in Odd Fellow's Hal 
Value of Lodge property. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 485 

Ruth Lodge, No. 11, Daughters of Rebecca, was created January 21, 1870, by a dispensa- 
tion granted to J. W. Ostrander, W. W. Reed, Yale Henry, George Crist, H. W. Brandon, 0. 
S. Brandon, Solon Brown, E. P. Hatch, David Baker, A. J. Yandewater, George L. Chapin, 
C. E. Hoyt and Henry Haskell, and Sisters Sybil Yandewater, M. H. Hatch, Sarah Brandon, 
Elizabeth Brandon, H. M. Reed, Semantha Trucks, T. M. Hoyt, 0. A. Chapin and L. 
R. Ostrander. 

It is found impossible to obtain a list of the charter officers. The present officers are : Mrs. 
Mary Barr, N. G. ; Mrs. Catharine Ryder, Y. G. ; Mrs. H. M. Reed, Secretary ; Mrs. Marv 
Whelan, P. S. ; Mrs. R. C. Clark, Treasurer ; R. W. Clark, R. S. ; Mrs. George Trucks, 
L. S. ; John Tuttle, Warden; Mrs. E. A. Tuttle, Conductor; Alfred Church, 0. G. ; Mrs. H. 
Church, I. G. 

Membership about fifty. 

Meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. 

OTHER SOCIETIES. 

Apollo Lodge, No. I),!, A. 0. U. W., was organized on the evening of August 8, 1878, by 
A. H. Taisey, D. G. M. of the Order, at a meeting of candidates convened in the law office of 
N. Bruett, in Stoppenbach's Block, corner of Main and Racine streets. The charter members 
were composed of N. Steinaker, A. J. Burbank, N. Bruett, W. H. Porter, Dwight Hillyer, 
R. B. Kirkland, E. S. Kellogg, Charles Illing, J. S. Rottman, G. W. Bird and G. 0. Schittler. 

At the election held at a subsequent meeting, N. Bruett was selected as P. M. W. ; W. H. 
Porter, W. M. ; Dwight Hillyer, Recorder; N. Steinaker, Financier; R. B. Kirkland, 0. W.; 
J. S. Rottman, J. W. ; and G. 0. Schittler, N. Bruett and A. J. Burbank, Trustees, who are yet 
in office. 

Meetings are convened on call in the Odd Fellows' building. The society is yet in its 
infancy in Jefferson, and has a limited membership. 

Jefferson Workingmens Benevolent Association was incorporated by an act of the Legis- 
lature approved March 27, 1867, with the objects of affording aid and relief to their members, 
cariri^ for their sick, and burying the dead. The charter members were : J. A. Puerner, N. Kis- 
pert, John Meyer, Peter Buchta, John Purriker, C. Muck, George Heilman and B. Kiesling. 
Of these, John A. Puerner was President, N. Kispert, Yice President, C. Muck, Treasurer, and 
George Heilman, Secretary. 

The initiation fee is $5, and the annual dues $3. Each member of the Association is entitled 
to $3.50 per week when sick, and the payment of funeral expenses when death ensues. 

The following are the present officers : J. A. Puerner, President ; Frederick Jung, Yice 
President; Peter Buchta, Treasurer, and Andrew Seidel, Secretary. The present membership 
numbers si.\ty-three. Meetings are held monthly in Yerhallen's Hall on Racine street, and the 
property of the Association is valued at $1,500. 

RELIGIOUS. 

St. Laivrence Roman Catholic Church. — The Catholic denomination in Jefferson and 
cicinity comprehends fully 50 per cent of the population. They are provided with two 
:hurches, two schools, and a convent, and are apparently the most prosperous sect in this portion 
Df the county. They were among the first settlers, and began holding services as early as 1842 
in the log cabin of John Haas, a short distance west of St. Lawrence Church, on the Milwaukee 
pike, one mile east of the city. At that time, the congregation was dependent upon tiie occa- 
sional visits of the Rev. Father Maximillian Gardner, a missionary stationed at Roxbury, in Sauk 
County, who officiated in the parishes of Watertown, Jefferson, and elsewhere, holding services 
in St. Lawrence Diocese five times a year. 

As the congregation increased in numbers, and a more commodious house of worship was 
1 ereby necessitated, a move was made to the hill whereon the present church is situated, and a 



486 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUXTY. 

small log church built. The church was dedicated and opened for services on December, 4, 185C 
with the Rev. Father Michael Heider, as Pastor, who i-emained until March 28. 18-56, when h 
was succeeded by the Rev. Father J. F. Minderer. During his pastorate, the congregation became s 
numerous that it was decided to organize a second parish and establish the church at some poin 
more accessible to worshipers residing in the city. With this end in view, the parish of St. Job 
the Baptist was created, and the church at the corner of Center and Church streets (thereafte 
known until the erection of the new church as St. John's), purchased of the Universalisti 
services being conducted by Father Minderer in conjunction with the discharge of his priestl 
offices in St. Lawrence parish. Early in 1861, Father W. Bernard .succeeded to the charge c 
St. Lawrence Church, and was in turn followed by Father Michael Berter, who remained unt 
April, 1864, when Father Hubert Jansen became the incumbent, and acted until January, 186' 
when he was succeeded by Father Francois Xavier Obermueller, who was the first priest regu 
larly assigned to the congregation. 

In the fall of 1861, it was decided to erect a new church edifice, and in January, 186: 
subscriptions for that purpose were received. Plans and specifications were submitted, contract 
for the building executed, and the work was soon after commenced under the supervision of ^\ 
D. Ilillj'er. The work progressed satisfactorily from time to time until January 15, 1865, whe 
its completion was reached, and the church delivered to the congregation at a cost of $4,508.7t 
The edifice is of brick, simple but substantial, architecturally, plainly but neatly finished, and i 
surmounted by a steeple seventy-five feet in height. 

The following is the list of Pastors who have served since its dedication : F. X. Obermuellei 
from 1866 to September. 1871 ; Thomas Vonder Thaunen, from September 17, 1871, to Januar 
1, 1872; V. Rademacher, until July, 1872; A. Michels, until iSfovember, 1872; J. ^^ 
Buerger, until March 15, 1873; Ferdinand Zuber, to January 1, 1875; C. Hergenroethei 
from July, 1875, until January 1, 1877; M. J. Joerger, six weeks; H. Reinhart, the preser 
incumbent, from March 8, 1877. 

Attached to the diocese are the St. Lawrence School and Convent of Saint Francis. Th 
former was begun in 1868, and completed in 1870, costing §3,086.78. Father Reinhart is Prii 
cipal, being assisted by two Sisters of the Order of Saint Francis D* Assisi. The daily attendant 
averages seventy-five pupils of both sexes, and the course of instruction is similar to that taugl 
in the public schools. 

The Convent was established in 18G5. In 1868, a large brick building was built for th 
needs of the Order, and a parsonage for the Pastor constructed during the same year at a toti 
cost of §18,000. In 1877, the Church purchased the Convent buildings of the Order for §7,00( 
which are now occupied by eighteen Sisters — Sister Mary Catharine being the Mother Superic 
— as tenants of the Church, who maintain a school therein for the education of Sisters i 
teachers. 

The value of the Church property is estimated -at not far from §30,000; and the congregi 
tion niuiibcrs fully one hundred families. 

St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Congregation. — The organization of this Church h; 
already been referred to. The old Universalist Church was adapted to the uses of the ne 
congregation in 1856, which, under the tutorship of the several Pastors who have presided ov( 
its welfare, has increased in members and wealth beyond the brightest anticipations of its foun< 
ers. As stated, the Rev. Father Bernard divided his duties between St. John's and St. Lav 
rence until January 1, 1862, when the Rev. Father Michael Berter was assigned to its charge 
serving also at St. Lawrence until 1864, when Hubert Jansen relieved him and remained unt 
July, 1867. 

During his ministration, the property whereon St. John's Church now stands was pu 
chased and the new church erected. The corner-stone was laid in the spring of 1866, and th 
church completed and dedicated in 1867, at a cost of not less than §25,000, L. Charbonea 
being the architect. It is a massive and imposing structure, built of pressed brick, finel 
finished throughout, occupying an elevated site on Church street, between Sanborn and Par 




^i^^^^:^. 







JEFFERSON 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 489 

streets, and decorated with a lofty steeple, (the marble cross of which, at the extreme apex, is 
visible for miles), and supplied with chime bells. The ascent to the auditorium is by an easy 
flight of stone stops, which survived the destruction of the Court House in the great Chicago 
fire of 1871. The interior of the church is furnished in harmony with the building, and has a 
capacity for several hundred worshipers. 

Succeeding its completion, some difficulty arose between the Trustees and the architect, 
growing out of it is alleged, the fixilure of the latter to faithfully execute his contract. No sat- 
isfactory adjustment of the dispute was attained by the usual course of arbitration, and Mr. 
Charboneau sought a solution of the difficulty by an appeal to the courts. On September 17, 
1870, he filed his complaint in the Circuit Court of Jeft'erson County, against John Jung at al., 
praying for specific performance, and alleging damages by reason of a failure on the part of the 
Trustees to comply with the terras of their contract. A change of venue was taken to Dodge 
County, where, upon the submission of the case to a referee, judgment was rendered, and dam- 
ages to the amount of $2,G95 entered against the defendants. An appeal was taken to the 
Supreme Court, which affirmed the judgment; thereupon the same was liquidated. 

In May, 1878, the School of the Guardian Angels, a parochial institution attached to the 
Church, was begun, with Henry Koch, of Milwaukee, as architect, and completed in October 
of the same year, costing, with the furniture, $5,000. The school is under the direction of 
Father Joerger, assisted by two Sisters of the Order of St. Francis, of Joliet, and furnishes a 
course of instruction, both in English and German, to one hundred and fifty pupils. 

The parsonage is situated in the church lot to the west of the church edifice, fronting on 
Sanborn street, and was completed in 1871, at an outlay, with the furniture, of $3,500. 

The following is the list of Pastors who have served since the organization of the parish : 
The Rev. Fathers J. F. Minderer ; W. Bernard, from 1861 until January 1, 18G2 ; Michael 
Berter until 1864 ; Hubert Jansen until July, 1867 ; A. Sigg until August, 1860 ; M. Gern- 
bauer, one month ; J. Freiul until October, 1873 ; M. J. Joerger, S. T. D., at present in charge. 

The congregation numbers two hundred families, and has property valued at about $40,000. 

Attached to the Church is St. John's Society, a Mutual Benevolent Association, consisting 
of about fifty members, of which Adam Spangler is President. 

TI(e Evangelical Association was organized in Jefferson at an early day. The first 
preaching of which there is any authentic record was by the Rev. J. G. Miller in 1845, 
who administered services in the house of George Robisch, one mile east of the village, as also 
at the Hake mansion, two and one-half miles south of the village. 

The society built its church (the first church in Jefferson), in the year 1849, during the 
pastorate of J. G. Escher, the foundations having been laid at a previous date, under the aus- 
pices of J. G. Miller. The building was of frame, 32x40, and the congregation numbered 
fifty worshipers. In the early spring of 1879, the "little church on the corner" was moved 
away, and its absence supplied by the present handsome brick edifice, 36x60 feet, with 10 
feet projection, and a steeple 129 feet in length, which was completed during the fall of the 
same year, at a cost of $5,500. 

Since the establishment of the denomination in Jefferson, the following ministers have 
served : The Revs. C. Lintner, J. Meyer, J. Trumhaur, J. Meyer, Joseph Harlacher, H. Esch, 
George Fleisher, I. Kuter, John Meyer, J. Hamweter, G. Zoelhaffer, J. G. Miller, C. A. 
Schnacke (assisted by Rev. Emanuel Hake), Joseph Harlacher, F. Huelster, J. Karcher, H. 
Schelp, I. M. Hamweter, Edward Bochmuehl, C. Miller, H. Huelster (under whose pastorate 
the old parsonage was sold and a new ministerial residence purchased), C. A. Schancke (who 
died in the service), C. Wigand and Augustus Huelster, the present officiant, under whose super- 
vision the new church was built. 

The present Trustees are John Banker, C. Lang and W. H. Hake. Jefferson Circuit has 
three churches and three hundred and sixty members, the Presiding Elders of which have been 
the Revs. S. Baumgartner, J. J. Escher (the present Bishop, residing in Chicago), G. A. 
Blank, A. Huelster, H. Huelster and H. Scheep. 



490 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUXTT. 

The local ministers have been the Revs. I. X. Walther (deceased), John Meyer and Eman- 
uel Hake, at present located at Jefferson. 

The new church edifice will seat nearly six hundred worshipers, and the Church property 
is valued at about $S.OOO. 

The German E " ' Luthrnm Con<rrei}atio}i was organized on the Sth day of April, 

1851. and consisted ] / of natives of Bavaria and Prussia. Previous to that time, the 

congre^iion observed their Sabbath-Day services in the dwellings of the members, which were 
continued until the date above designated, when they purchased about two acres of ground on 
Christ Mountain, two and one-half miles east of Jefferson, on a portion of which they erected 
a small frame Church, the remainder of the purchase being reserved for burial purposes. The 
church was completed and consecrated under the name of St. Johns, and served as a place ol 
worship for sixty-four families, until an increase in the number of parishioners necessitated the 
erection of a more commodious edifice. The Rev. Mr. Mayer, minister of the Lutheran con- 
gr^ation at Helenville. became the first Pastor of that denomination, until the installation ol 
the Rev. Carl Aug. Biel. his successor (also from Helen viUeX who officiated for several years, 
being followed by the Rev. Mr. Zink. who ministered to the spiritual wants of the congrega- 
tions in Jefferson and Helenville until his death. 

On the 17th day of January, ISoS. the Rev. Emil Repnow accepted a call to the Church, 
with which he remained five years, and under whose pastorate the congregation was increased 
to one hundred and nine &milies. At this date, the church at Christ Mountain became too 
limited in its capacity, in consequence of which it was decided to erect a brick church in the 
citv of Jefferson. The church was accordingly begun and. in 1S61, completed, and has since 
served for the Evangelical Lutherans of Jefferson and vicinity, in conjunction with the cLapel 
at Christ Mountain, which latter, however, was abandoned in 1873. 

During Mr. Repnows pastorate, a house was purchased in the city and a school established, 
at which childr»i of the church communicants were instructed in the German language, Bible 
history, the Lutheran catechism, etc. 

The Kev. C. T. Goldhammer succeeded Mr. Repnow on the 7th day of March. 1863, and 
remained seven years, when he accepted a call from the Lutheran congregation at Green Bay. 

The Rev. B. fngrcnli, formerly a Missionary to the Cape of Good Hope, but at that date 
(July 13, 1870 1 Pastor of the St. Matthews Church. Milwaukee, succeeded. the last named and 
is still minister of St. John's congregation, which, under his careful ministration, is prosper- 
otis, consisting of one hundred and fifty families, and a school affording instruction to one hun- 
dred and fifty pupils. 

The church property is made up of a handsome and roomy church edifice, parsonage and 
schoolhouses in the city, and a ft^ame church and cemetery at Christ Mountain, the value of the 
entirety being estimated at about §10.000. 

The UnirenaliM Society. — The Rev. Seth Barnes was the first settled minister of the Uni- 
versalist &ith in Jefferson who preached the doctrine that all men will be saved. His dis- 
ooorses were delivered in the Court House at firet, services being commenced there in 18-18. In 
ISoO. the society was organized. The building of a church was begun in the fall of 1853 and 
completed during the following spring, when it was dedicated and Mr. Barnes was elected Pastor. 
He continued his ministrations but a few months, however, going hence to St. Anthony, Minn., 
whither he was called professionally. 

An interval succeeded his resignation, during which the church was without a Pastor, 
remaining so until the fall of 1854. when the Rev. E. Garfield took charge and discharged the 
offices of Pastor and friend for eleven year?, which were years of prosperity and happiness 
to the s-^ciety. He accepted a call to Sioughton, in Dane County, and the vacancy thus created 
was supplied by the Rev. B. F. Hagers, who remained, meeting with success in the field of his 
labors, for three years, when the Rev. E. Garfield returned to Jefferson and resume! his rela- 
tion of Pastor to the Church. At the expiration of three years, he resigned, and for the ensu- 
ing jear the society depended upon the occasional visits of ministers and missionaries for its 



HISICWT OT TEFFEBSaS COTSTT, V-Z 



a Uf Tcais aad wae sf cre J pJ bj de Rer. Mr. 6«nttt. T&e bzter 
rhoi tke sodetjr has keca wkkoms utTiegafar Fk^k. the 
poftitMi of the OBK. The aocietT is wnr BaaMneaOr veik. 







The int ehvreh efiiee oeeted W the eam^K^caaa. wae as the encBer <s Cfc^rd aii Ca- 
ter streee. It wag sold to the CathoGes daixag dte i&ies aad a aev ^^iireh hade <m. Una 
■tTKC -oath of Itodge. wUeh was deceased la Ae spnag of 1869 md b miw seofiei W Ae 
3ew Ji^aaleai Sodetj. 

The chnch prafertj k vahsd at $i.04O. 

Pntiflrrimn Ckmrdk. — A. mgrans *£ mufiagtuLit li re^iaa wae heM. as the hoaee of IW- 
wia Wni ia JeSsisaB. oa the lOth rf &seen&er. l^S'X for ^ p«tpaee<^ .i «g^iMr« g » Chaich. 
at which Ae Ber. Dr. Ciarr. Ag^ of the AawriBaii HaoK IbssurT SaeietT 
yreaided as Msdo^or. A ir^nhtina aetti^ 6kA the o^eet <if the wgsea. _ 
fhefidlawiag pasoas w«e le t aied as ia<iah»in ef the eaagre^doe: Stewm 
Bm, D. A. CoitBa. Betay E. Cakaa. A^hew IbrrUe. IXK'Kfcy ScehhEa& Hacj J. 
Harriet D. Sbi^ M. Atoj aad ]!lkathaa Teak. TheBer. )L MoKagaewasiirniedtol 
Fhetor. aad aeeeptiag. iftiie d m dot caf i autji aa^ Jaae f. IvSl. what he weac ta 7 
aecti. hA ictaia e d m. Se|iteHber feilswiag. ad jaim e hed half the tne. okS soeeeeded bv ^ 
Ser. S. S. BeefcwdL He recotds ate sias. aaca Saraala^ 9. ]8»^. when ^ Ae 

Kst Pi eshjtm aa (^^^ wae caaseraied Vf fmvo:. W the Ber. WiBbb A . .^ 

Harth T, 185&. was aJMttfd to the R re ahy s e t j ^ 3EiwaBize^ 4e Ber. E. F. Wa 
ISstor. aad religiMau Soviets hci ag eoadaeted n the Cuwit Hsase aad htiefc •. 

the PresbTtoiaB rirwrrt tfcwin» ftM « ii i i« rf ha aii a g; wat<a— f I >tp J *i<Bii»tlf fi»-. 

wha the emereptioa tuA. fOBBesdem. This was abaK 1S63. The ehaseh < 

a place of w«nfcq» aatfl aim^ 18T7, wh^ the 'wittj ^Hn^ed is niahrry. and Ae i 

tTi< falhiaia^Ta iiarhiii 1 1 n d ia tfii i l ai i ' irf T ii ihi t* l i i wi ij a fi'iia rhi Cii ii a f ■ii iii tf Tii 
&e Ben. S. S. Beekadl: E. F. WaHft. aata A^ ±. 1^4: : J. W. Scvk. a&ans sx 
Joha listm. and Oefobo- 1. 1871 : O. W. Wiae&escEr. Txs;dl AprfT ±. 18T1. and L. 
A T. lohei, BBtil Ocsohcr 1. 18T6. 

The fimmk f u f ettj is nlaed at pusOO. 

Meth§iiat Cii^ck. — A c t a t dla g to the ■ast r^aUe acoooos. t&e MeiAa£eB Srst h^ia w 

a €h^A ilailing. the year 1831. Ia 18>5£. aer^ieet were hdl m a krkk m n*^!*** ' 

«r «ae of Ae Hiajineiiiiw at f a ^Mja oce^ied by Snest Batz. Later «a. aad as de SKioy 

e c a agiegi naa ■ pi ■Mid a the Coart TTiia i whoe ie we^ir 
^ haSfi^ t£ As chareh efifice a«w ^iW B uied hj that sect oa ^xA 
Maia street, whi^ was aeea^ffiAed abo^ the jear 18^ or 1870. 

A: iveseat. lhiiaj_h the m^tttx^ap e aaafl. Ae Cfaxeh is m a ycaigeiya^ eaafiti^ ; as 

The aiaistas who fane ngiiirirl ace the Bevs. Mesas, ^hrksr. Br>}&3. La&£. Lawtaa. 
B. T. White, Ftater. I^ CliMrihiiliia aad J. Bkhar^oa. 

The chareh lau y eit* is raiaed at ahsas ^o^^X 

TktS^ Ji ■ aiaiii ■ Sw<iAmSwyimm Stai^ wx acgMaed Ifar 1&. 1S7± with eight mam- 
bcts ami 6««s« CvfAmi^ Le^. ^acc d^ ^te ax ad&iaaal nenbas hane beea enaled 
•a the roster ; Mr. fiipi load renaiae leader, lad ^mkis are heU evsy Sabbath ia the Uaiver- 
aabst Chareh, aear Ae eaaaer of Maia aad I>od^ fcr««5. 




T^ fast hanak ia the pns^ cxr af JJusaa, m£ afcich 
a ccaiied aboat the year 18MI, vhea dbe vfflage e ha ichja id aa 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COIXTY. 

William Sanborn, now known as Sanborn & Barber's Addition, near the corner of Racine an 
Marian streets. 

After several years' sojourn here, the cemetery was removed to a half an acre of ground o 
North Main street, owned by E. G. Darling, where it remained until 1853, when the propert 
was purchased by George Crist, and another move was necessitated though not completed unti 
some time later, when the Greenwood Cemetery Association was proposed. The proposal wa 
favorably received by those interested, and, on the 9th of July, 1853, its organization wa 
effected at a meeting held at the office of Dr. W. W. Reed ; W. E. Holmes was elected Chairman 
Henry F. Pelton acted as Secretary, and tliere were present W. W. Reed, W. P. Ward, D. D 
Lansing, William Woolcox, Joseph Mansfield, John T. Smith, William M. Watt, N. C. Hulbur 
and Charles Wade. " The Greenwood Cemetery Association, of Jefferson," was decided upoi 
as the corporate name, the business affairs of which were to be managed by five Trustees, to bi 
divided as follows : One until the first annual meeting, two until the second annual meeting, am 
two until the third annual meeting, to be determined by lot. At that meeting, William P. Wan 
qualified for one year, John E. Holmes and N. C. Hulburt for two, and W. M. Watt and Johi 
T. Smith for three years. 

On the 9th of January, 1854, a meeting of the Association was held, at which a resolutioi 
was adopted, providing for the purchase of four acres of ground in the southeast quarter of Sec 
tion 2. belonging to George Crist, and the Treasurer directed to procure title thereto. This wa 
done, and the burial ground now known as " Greenwood Cemetery," half a mile from the Cour 
House, in a northeasterly direction, became the property of the corporation. 

The first burials in the present necropolis of Jefferson, were the re-interments of the bodie 
exhumed from the old cemeteries. Since then, new mounds have been added and monument 
have been raised above the silent graves of those who sleep forevermore. The grounds ari 
beautifully located on the brow of a hill overlooking the city, divided into plats and subdividei 
into lots, "with walks and avenues distributed about the grounds, planted with trees and flowers 
and ornamented with very many tombs and monuments of exquisite design and finish. 

The business of the corporation is transacted by a President and Board of Trustees, whi 
have exclusive control of affairs, disposal of lots, etc., and in whom the title is vested. 

The first Board of officers is cited above. The present Board is : President, J. W 
Ostrander ; Treasurer, Solon Brown ; Secretary, A. Sanborn ; I. W. Bird and J. W. Ostrander 

Trustees. 

THE PRESS. 

The entire absence of records bearing upon this important subject, renders the collation o 
accurate data in that behalf a labor attended with difficulties and uncertainties. The early settlen 
in Jeffei'son readilv appreciated the necessity for some medium that would maintain a succinci 
and comprehensive connecting link, as it were, between the past and present, between the preseni 
and the future; but it was not until Jefterson had become prosperous that any move was mad« 
toward the accomplishment of that object. Until then, the inhabitants were dependent for theii 
weekly record of current events upon the publications issued in neighboring cities, towns and 
villages. 

Durinc the summer of 1851, William M. Watt, an earnest Scotchman, realized the absenct 
of a weekly paper, and determined by his own efforts, aided by the patronage of those who wert 
equally alive to the importance of the existence of a "sheet" at the county seat, to supply such 
"absence." He accordingly procured material, and, after the delays incident to so grave ar 
undertaking in those days, established the Jeffersonian in the second story of the building h1 
the corner of Racine and Main streets, then, as now, in part occupied by Breunig's saloon. 
The pa])er was a six-column folio. Democratic in politics, and is reported to have furnished its 
subscribers with full complements of local, legal, legislative and editorial pabulum. Mr. Watt 
provided the intellectual and financial resources of the establishment, while the composition and 
mechanical laboi-s were discharged by Charles Hoyt, now a resident of Madison, Webster Colburn 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 498 

and Henry Kelsey, the latter engaged at present in publishing a paper in Minnesota. The 
" impression " was made on an old-fashioned Washington hand-press, worked by Jesse Nevin.s, 
who also officiated in the capacity of "head devil," an indispensable unknown quantity, who 
"ranges" about every well-regulated newspa])or. 

The fact that the Jefferson ian continued for ten years to expound tlie inner consciousness 
of Jeffersonian Democracy ; to detail the various occurrences that happen in a growing town ; 
to record tlie litigation that found expression in the courts ; the pleas that were made there, 
the minutes of the Assembly and other authenticated facts, to say nothing of the births, 
marriages and deaths that its columns promulgated, is evidence conclusive to the least credulous 
that the editor did his duty by the public. That it "didn't pay," is hinted at, and this 
suggestion must be considered when it is known that after ten years buft'et with fortune 
in Jefferson, Mr. Watt retired from the field of journalism in that section and removed 
with his material to Menasha, accompanied by F. E. and F. J. Illing, then " jours ' in his 
employ, where he established the Weekly 3fanufacturer. This he published for nearly two 
years, when he returned to Jefferson and began preparations for the publication of an inde- 
pendent weekly. But after canvassing the situation, and while the paper was in type, he decided 
that the patronage promised would not justify the venture, and it was accordingly abandoned. 
He disposed of his type, press, etc., to ambitious publishers in Baraboo and is now a resident of 
Milwaukee. 

The liepublican. — -In 1856 and while the campaign for the election of Fremont and Day- 
ton was at its height in Jefferson County, Alden Sanborn and C. E. Hoyt bethought themselves 
of the apparently fortuitous times to begin the publication of a campaign sheet in the interest 
of the Republican candidates, proposing, if their overtures were received with favor, and success 
attended their undertaking, to make the paper an organ of Republicanism in Jefi'erson County 
that would be deferred to. 

The prospective formulators of Republican opinion procured a press, which had served to 
disseminate pure Democracy in Watertown for several years under the direction of William 
Butler, subsequently County Judge of Jefferson County, and bringing the same to the scene of 
active operations in the city of Jefferson, " set it up " in the second story of the building, corner 
of Dodge and Second streets. The infant advocate of Fremont's election, though clean and 
neat and presenting a singular but commendable absence of childish ways, was not received by 
the public with the enthusiasm expected or deserved. It was considered in the light of a curi- 
osity for a brief period and appeared at occasional intervals in the Locofoco lodges an object of 
interest rather than apprehension. Thus it ran its raf^e with popularity, but, casting a shoe, so 
to speak, was distanced on the first quarter and withdrawn. The effort to sustain a Republican 
weakling on Democratic pap was without precedent and met with the fate of one who if he 
isked for bread would be given a stone. Its latest breath was drawn when the defeat of Gen. 
Fremont became assured, and with it died the first attempt in the city of Jefi'erson to air a 
Republican sheet in Democratic camps. 

The remains were tenderly gathered together by J. W. Chubbuck, brother of the well-known 
luthoress, "Fanny Forrester," and taken to Warsaw, Wis., where they have since remained. 

The Jefferson Banner was the second paper that was commended to the people of Jefferson 
)n the score of its Republican proclivities, and escaped the fate of its predecessor by a political 
;hange of base, almost at the hour of final dissolution. The paper then known under the titular 
nomen o( the Jefferson Counti/ Republican was introduced to public favor in the first instance at 
Fort Atkinson, as the Wisconsin OA/ef, having previously run the gamut of a variable success 
n the State of New York, where it was known as the Cayuga Chief, its editorial department 
leing managed by Thurlow Weed Brown, subsecjuently identified with the cause of teetotalisra. 
)f which he became an ardent and able advocate. After a sojourn of several years at the Fort, 
;he Chief was removed to Jefferson in 1858, where, as stated, it became a candidate for pat- 
•onage and popularity as the Jefferson County Republican. The length of time ic remained 
n charge of J. W. Blake, its editor, is not of record ; the files are missing, and, in their 



494 HISTORY OF .TEFFER80X COUNTY. 

absence, the memory of the proverbial "oldest inhabitant" is at fault, and refuses to assist the 
historian in his efforts to reach a satisfactory solution of the query. Common rumor alleges that 
Mr. Blake had charge a year or more, when he sold out to George W. Peck (at present engaged 
in educating his Sun up to the proper standard of excellence required by the readers of the 
Milwaukee press) and Robert Tompkins. These gentlemen maintained their management of the 
Republican m\ti[ the breaking-out of the war, when Mr. Peck buckled on his saber and marched 
with his face to the foe. He was succeeded by W. H. Tousley, now part owner of the Janesville 
Times, who assisted Mr. Tompkins in supplying their patrons with choice selections, original 
paragraphs and the Republican platform, until the latter gentleman dropped his " composing 
stick," and, shouldering a musket, marclied down into Georgia, leaving Mr. Tousley to discharge 
the duties of editor and proprietor without assistance. 

The politics of the paper, however, always an embargo to its success from a monetary stand- 
point, became about this time an insuperable objection, and its diminished patronage on that 
account was steadily resolving the concern into a condition of hopeless bankruptcy. At this 
critical juncture, Mr. Tousley, who had in the mean time become sole owner, acting upon the 
admonition that was daily proffered, changed the politics of the paper, rechristened it the Jeffer- 
son Banner, and with the Hon. Gerrit T. Thorn as editor, made a second bid for populai 
favor, that was responded to with an earnestness that has increased with years. Under the ne'B 
regime, the paper was newsy, spicy and interesting ; politically, it favored the true Democratic 
doctrine, " equal and exact justice to all men." and promulgated such doctrine with each suc- 
ceeding issue. During the administration of President Andrew Johnson, when that Executive 

Do ... 

became involved in trouble with the Senate as to the exercise of his Constitutional prerogatives 
with Grant, regarding the hitter's veracity, and when threatened with impeachment, the Banyiei 
espoused his cause, and, in a series of editorials, clear and concise as they were convincing, die 
much to frame public opinion and dissipate prejudices. 

With the issue of May 5, 1867, the paper was enlarged to a seven-column sheet, Mr. Tous 
ley officiating in the double capacity of editor and publisher, advocating the application of Dem- 
ocratic principles, and supporting Seymour and Blair as candidates in 1868. 

On Wednesday, November 13, 1872, the publication is made that the Banner has beer 
sold to Maj. M. G. Tousley, late of Mendota, III., who is represented as an old publisher anc 
an energetic business man. That gentleman made his salaam to the readers in the same issue 
assuring them of his intentions, which were to adhere to the interests and fortunes of the Demo 
cratic party, to the upbuilding of local and county interests, to the improvement and enlighten 
ment of the young, and the benefiting of all classes. 

This was continued until February 26, when, following Miron G. again associated W. H 
Tousley with him in his efforts to " contribute to the improvement and entertainment of th( 
young,'' etc., and so labored until May 21, 1873, when Alden Sanborn purchased the establish 
ment for $2,300 and took personal charge of his investment. He announced the purchase : tha 
the policy of the Banner would remain unchanged, and, with George W. Bird as politica 
editor, he was confident that the editorial department would, in its maintenance of right agains 
wrong, morality against immorality, give entire satisfaction. 

In May, 1874, the paper was changed to a quarto, but changed back to a folio in August 
1876, though in an enlarged and improved form. The Banner supported Tilden and Hendricki 
in the memorable campaign of 1876. 

On the 1st day of May, 1878, Capt. I. T. Carr, formerly editor and proprietor of thi 
Green Oounti/ Reformer (the first editor in the Northwest to urge the nomination of Samuel J 
Tilden), and later, business manager of the Milwaukee Daib/ Commerrial Times, purchased i 
half-interest in the Banner and contributed materially by his energy and ability in doublin; 
the subscription list, at the same time maintaining its high standard as a Democratic and loca 
newspaper. 

On the 1st of November last, he became sole owner of the ])aper by the purchase of Mr 
Sanborn's interest, since which date, he has conducted its editorial and business managemen 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOIS" COUNTY. 495 

with signal success. The Jefferson Banner is to-day an ably edited, thoroughly reliable, inter- 
esting sheet. Democratic in politics, it goes far toward indexing public sentiment, suggesting 
remedies for existing evils and promoting public confidence. In its capacity as the truthful 
chronicler of daily events, the formulator of public opinion, the conservator of local interests 
and the disseminator of news, the i?a«7U'?' deserves an encouragement and success, which even 
its enemies admit is its portion. The paper enjoys a weekly circulation of one thousand copies 
and is valued at .^3,000. 

The Independent is of recent origin, having been established by Odell & Hillyer, on the 
23d of July, 1879. The paper is a four-column quarto ; its object, or rather the object of its 
publishers, being to present the news of the day in a condensed form, without any attempt to 
graduate the quality of the paper by the space filled. The projector of this new journal- 
istic enterprise claims, in the short time during wliich the paper has been in existence, he 
has received three hundred subscribers and is sanguine of the success of his venture. Dur- 
ing August, 1879, Mr. Hillyer withdrew, since when, J. W. Odell has been sole proprietor. 
Politically, the Independent, as its name indicates, declines any preference, reserving to itself 
the privilege of advocating the claims of men and principles whom it is assured are beyond 
reproach. The amount invested is stated at $350. 

THE SCHOOLS. 

The cause of education early found an abiding-place in Jeiferson, and nurtured and sus- 
tained by the liberal patronage of the inhabitants, has grown into features of daily life in this 
thriving city, the influence of which is not more pronounced than universal. 

The first school building, of which there is any existing report, was built in 1839 on a 
point on the West Side, a few rods west of the present Maydole homestead. It was constructed 
of logs, supplied by the forests as they then existed, they being the only building material attain- 
able by the hardy pioneers in days when money was scarce and brick and mortar were factors 
of present improvements, purchasable only in the then growing cities. Dr. Bicknell was the 
first to undertake the education of the ambitious youth in those times ; and, though but com- 
paratively a brief period of time has since elapsed, few of the fathers and mothers of the pupils 
who attended yet survive to recall the days when they sat around the household hearth, waiting 
the return of their boys and girls from the old log schoolhouse with their elementary speller and 
reader under their arms. The pupils were composed of the children of early settlers, who have 
since separated, have gone the way of all flesh or are to-day the pioneers who contributed to the 
building-up of new homes in sections still further west. 

The school, according to such information as can be obtained in that connection, pros- 
pered for the time, and laid the foundation for futures that have since been realized unto the 
scholars. But it is difficult to trace the lives of those who taught, or of those wiio listened. They 
ran the race that was put before them with diligence and profit, and those who yet survive rise 
up to bless the days when they attended, and were benefited by the impressions they obtained in 
the old log school. 

The next school taught in Jefferson was on the east side of the river, where a modest frame 
schoolhouse was put up on the lot of land at present occupied by the imposing residence of 
Charles Stoppenbach. This was early in the forties, when schoolhouses and scholars were 
exceptions among the settlers who raised their fiimilies in the wilderness. The attendance was 
small, of course, but, as the fame of the institution came to be bruited abroad, the attendance 
increased proportionately. During the session of 1848, Clark Walterbury taught the young 
idea, and curbed the mercurial tendencies of his pupils by wliolesome admonitions and convincing 
discipline. Among the latter were William H. Hake, Elbert, Egbert, Emma and Elmira 
Masters, Harriet and Moscow Burton, Mattie and William Sawyer, Aldon, Caroline and Anne 
Sanborn, Rockwell, Candice, Charles, Milton, Zebulon, Sarah and M. Whipple, Marshal. 
Edward, Calvin, Grustavus, Harriet and Gloriana Potter, George, Cynthia, Lizette, Lucretia and 
Anna Crist, Emma and Henry Howe, Lisetta Hannon, and others. 



496 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

In 1851, as the population increased and the number of pupils seeking to avail themselves 
of the advantages to be derived from a regular attendance became greater, the school district 
on the East Side was divided, and a brick school building was erected near the corner of 
Condire and Main streets. About the same year, a frame schoolhouse was built on the West 
Side, which was designed to furnish educational facilities to the residents of School District No. 
12. 

These were continued until 1870, when it again became necessary to enlarge the buildings, 
when a new brick edifice was erected on Church street, between Sanborn and Center, divided 
into tiiree departments — elementary, intermediate and high, at a cost, including the price paid 
for the lot, of $10,000. 

District No. 12, emulating the example thus set, built a new sciioolhouse, also, on the West 
Side, costing, with the property on which it is situated, $7,000. 

These were the facilities ofiered, until, in 1879, it became evident that more school room was 
indispensable for the benefit of the cause of education, and the city, being thereto instructed by 
a special act of the Legislature, consolidated the city into one district, and purchased the build- 
ing formerly occupied by the Jefferson Liberal Institute, to be used for the occupation and 
instruction of the higher grades of pupils. 

At present, the schools are under the supervision of a Board of Education, consisting of 
one member from each ward, appointed by the Common Council, and, as constituted now, con- 
sists of W. H. Harke, C. Grimm and Adam Kispert. 

The number of pupils enrolled in the city is 249, exclusive of those in attendance upon the 
schools supported by denominational subscription. The curriculum consists of the regular course 
of mathematics, physiology, physical geography, history, civil government, etc., and the students 
are examined at the close of each month and term, the same being conducted in writing. The 
teaciiers employed for the schools are: One Principal in each, at an annual salary of $700; one 
teacher in each of the intermediate and one each in the primary departments, at a monthly 
salary of §30. 

The amount invested in school property is stated at $30,000. 

The following is the list of teachers employed in the East Side School since 1870: Priaci- 
pals — G. A. Williams, from 1870 to 1874 ; B. F. Anderson, to 1876 ; Amos Squier, present 
incumbent ; Intermediate — Mary Thompson, from 1870 to 1873 ; Miss Kline, during 1874 ; 
Flora E. Reed, to 1878: E. E. Henry, during 1878. and Charles Fredel, during 1879; 
Primary— Sarah Brayton, from 1870 to 1874 ; E. E. Henry, 1874 to 1878 ; Lelia Clothier, 
present employed. West Side: Principals — George Brown, Mr. Hawes, Mr. McConnell. S. S. 
Cornee, W. F. Bundy, E. Ewing and W. C. Gordon ; Primary, May Perkins, Mary Judd and 
Ellen Spangler. 

THE INSTITUTE. 

During the winter of 1865, a meeting of the citizens of Jefferson was held for the purpose 
of devising means for the promotion of a more perfect system of education than was at that time 
available. It was largely attended by citizens and friends of the cause, including the Rev. B. F. 
Rogers, Dr. W. W. Reed, Nelson Bruett, Solon Brown, George W. Bird. C. A. Holmes and G. 
T. Thorn, but the meeting adjourned without reaching any satisfactory conclusion in behalf of 
the object for which it had been convened. At a second meeting, held on the 16th of February, 
1866, a resolution was adopted favoring the establishment of an institute of learning. Hons. 
W. W. Reed, G. T. Thorn and Capt. C. A. Holmes, were appointed a committee to draft a 
charter and procure its granting by the Legislature then in session. The charter of the " Jef- 
ferson Liberal Institute," was thus drawn, passed by the Legislature and approved by the 
Governor April 12, 1866. and within twelve days thereafter scliool was opened with the Rev. 
B. F. Rogers as Principal, assisted by Mrs. F. B. Brewer. The organization of the corporation 
under its charter followed by the election of the Hon. G. T. Thorn, President ; Rev. B. Rogers, 
Secretary, and E. McMahon, Treasurer, with E. D. Masters, Alonzo Wing,, J. W. Ostrander, 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 4'J7 

Charles Stoppenbacli, Homer Cook, Adam Grimm, Harvey Foster, Austin Kellogg and Henrv 
Harnden, Executive Committee. 

At the annual State Convention of the Universalists of Wisconsin, held in Columbus in 
.June, 18l36, it was formally decided by that body to adopt the "Jefferson Liberal Institute" as 
a denominational school, and erect suitable buildings, provided the sum of $12,000 for tliat pur- 
pose should be subscribed by the citizens of Jefferson. Subscription-books were accordingly cir- 
culated, and during the year 1867, the requisite amount having been obtained, plans were pro- 
cured, ground purchased and preparations for the erection of the building on its present site at 
the intersection of Milwaukee and Second streets were completed under tlie direction of Capt. 
Nelson Bruett, Chairman of the Committee on Building. 

During the winter, the school was conducted in the Watt Building and Universalist Church, 
with upward of 100 pupils, and the Rev. A. Vedder was engaged to travel and secure subscrip- 
tions. 

On the 6th of May, 1868, the corner-stone of the Institute was laid with impressive cere- 
monies, Col. Thomas McMahon officiating as Marshal, and the Hon. G. T. Thorn, Orator of the 
day. 

Meanwhile the direction of the educational departments was delegated to Prof. Elmore 
Chase and wife, assisted by an able corps of teachers whose administration was attended by most 
gratifying results. 

In course of time, the expenses incurred in the purchase of ground and the erection of the 
building, had reached a sum approximating $30,000, a part of which had been obtained by loans, 
the interest on which, together with the heavy cost of carrying on the sciiool, seriously impaired 
its usefulness. 

To pay this indebtedness, the Rev. James Eastand, of Vermont, was, in the spring of 1872. 
employed as financial agent of the Institute, and, in the spring of that year, commenced a vigor- 
ous and successful canvass of the State. During that year and 1873, the Institute liabilities 
were all discharged, and the school, which, during the pending embarrassments, had been sus- 
pended, was re-opened, on September 10, of the latter year, again under the .administration of 
Prof. Chase, and with a large attendance of students from all parts of the State. 

To aid in support of the undertaking, subscriptions to the amount of $1,500 per annum, 
for the period of five years, had been obtained from those friendly to its objects, but the financial 
disturbance of 1873, and the business depression that followed, so far interfered with the collec- 
tion of this subscription that the school soon became embarrassed again, which embarrassment 
culminated in the year 1876, in the forced sale of the property, which passed into private hands, 
and was again discontinued. It so continued until the spring of 1879, when the premises were 
purchased by the city of Jefferson for school purposes, to which it will be appropriated when- 
ever the necessities of the case reiiuire. Prior to its purchase by the city, a portion of the 
building was occupied by Edwin Marsh for school purposes, and he will doubtless remain in such 
occupation until the overcrowding of the city schoolhouse capacities necessitates the city's 
taking possession of the Institute. 

THE POST OFFICE. 

Enoch G. Darling was the first Postmaster in Jefferson. The post office was established 
early in the forties, and the headquarters of the Postmaster was at the Jefferson House, the 
property of A. T. Holmes. Mr. Darling carried the mail in his hat during the earlier part of 
his official career. He was succeeded by Mr. Holmes, who removed the " post office " to a 
small house which stood on the present site of Brandon's store. A. T. Weymouth was the 
next individual honored with appointment to this important Federal office. He kept it in the 
store of James Barr, on ground now occupied by Jacob Breunig's saloon, adjoining the Sawyer 
House. Mr. Weymouth was succeeded by George Trucks, who kept the office in what is now a 
part of Schweinler's livery stable ; then at the premises now occupied by the office of the 
American Express Company, and later, on the opposite side of the street. The removal of the 



498 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

office while Mr. Trucks had it, became so frequent that it was quite a piece of pleasantry foi 
waggish citizens to refer to the matter as a pardonable eccentricity of the Postmaster, '' th( 
post office being on Trucks any way." James Berger was the successor of Mr. Trucks, wh( 
was wheeled out of office in accordance with an edict from President Buchanan. Winslow 
Blake succeeded' Mr. Berger, and held the office till 1869, when Charles A. Holmes wai 
appointed by President Grant. Mr. Blake removed the office to a small building which stooc 
where Bullwinkle's store now stands, and, toward the latter part of his term, relocated where i 
is at the present time. In 1871, W. P. Forsyth received the appointment, and is the presen 
incumbent, having been re-appointed to the position by President Hayes. 

During the year 1878, the total receipts of the office for stamps, rent of boxes, etc. 
amounted to ^2,458 ; 2,220 money orders, aggregating $30,114.37, were paid out for the sami 
period, and 1,.330, amounting to $14,037.G8, issued. 

The annual expenses of the office are stated at $1,300. 



FORT ATKINSON. 

EARLY HISTORY. 

Fort Atkinson, one of the most delightful of the many delightful villages that dot the land 
scape of Jefferson County, is situated on both sides of Rock River, equidistant from Jefferson 
the county seat, and Lake Koshkonong. The early history of what now lays claim to thi 
considerations, privileges and immunities of a city is a combination of the romantic, mingled wit) 
the real features of pioneer life everywhere experienced in the great West; everywhere experi 
enced as the wheel of human progress advances into the interior of semi-civilization an( 
barbarism, crushing down with each revolution the bulwarks of that which impedes its progress 
and substituting in their stead a better, happier and more perfect type of life. 

From the statements of the few who now survive, the settlement of the present cit; 
was begun in December, 1835, by a party representing a land company, having its headquarters a 
Milwaukee. The company was composed of Milo Jones, Solomon Juneau, Elisha W. Edgerton 
Henry Hosmer and a Frenchman named Le Tender. Mr. Jones was in the capacity o 
Government Surveyor, and, in the seven or eight years he was thus engaged, ran lines through 
out the Northwest. Solomon Juneau was a leading member of the fur companies. Edgertoi 
and Hosmer afterward settled at Genesee. Le Tonder was Juneau's packman and genera 
utility man, and withal a good, jolly Frenchman. He was known by his comrades as "General,' 
for the reason that he exercised a general supervision of the camp. 

Mrs. C. A. Southwell delivered an address at a meeting of the old settlers held in 1874 
on "Fort Atkinson as It Was," which is said to be correct in detail, and this will be readil; 
believed when it was remembered that Mrs. S. was known in the early days as Celeste 
daughter of Dwight Foster, one of the original settlers of Jefferson County, and the firs 
white girl seen in what was first known as Finchtown, then Koshkonong, and, finally. For 
Atkinson. 

She begins her address by referring to the Black Hawk war, and the building of the fort o 
stockade from which the city derives its name. " It was constructed," she continues, "of burr 
oak logs cut in half the ends of wliich were set in the ground so as to stand about eight feet high 
It was located a little east of north of where the residence of E. P. May now stands. At on^ 
time, there were 4, .500 United States troops under command of Gen. Atkinson encamped arounc 
the Fort." Another place of interest to Mrs. Southwell, when a child, was what was known a 
the " Soldier's Grave " on the hill, a little northeast of the Lutheran Church ; it was, like th 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 499 

fort, picketed with logs, the grave being covered with beautiful pebbles taken from the river bank. 
At the head of the grave, carved on a barrel-head, was the following inscription : 

LIEUT. DANIEL DOBBS, 

Shot by tlie Indians in the year 

1832. 

"What was known as the old army trail ran up through the valley of Rock River, in the 
vicinity of Janesville, and crossed the river at this place a little east of the fort. 

" In 1836, it was a hard-beaten path from six inches to a foot in depth, and wide enough for 
two to walk abreast, while the Indian trails that crossed the country in every direction were only 
wide enough for one to follow another in single file. Time with its effacing hand is passing, 
each year carrying with it some old landmark of the past. Our little circle is drawing closer as 
it grows less and less ; one after another lays down life with its burdens, until soon there will be 
none to remember the perils and adventures of the brave and hardy band of pioneers who left 
comfortable homes in the East to seek new homes in the then almost unknown Northwest. The 
objective and starting point for all was Milwaukee. 

" From there, the early settlers radiated and selected the spot nearest answering their 
individual wants and ideals for their future homes ; made their claims and erected their houses, 
which often proved the nucleus around which the cities and vdlages of the present day have 
grown." 

But, as facts connected with the early settlement of Fort Atkinson were wanted, Mrs. 
Southwell abandons reflection and proceeds to narration in that behalf. 

"The Rock River Claim Company," she states, "was organized in 1836, composed of the 
following members so far as I am able to remember: Solomon Juneau, Sylvester Pettibone, 
Milo Jones, David Sargeant, Dwight Foster, Alvin Foster, William Barrio and George Ser- 
comb. Some members of the company went out to Rock River on an exploring expedition, and 
made claims at Fort Atkinson, Jefferson and Hebron. In the summer of 1836, a saw-mill was 
commenced where the village of Hebron now stands (then called Bark Mills), under the supervis- 
ion of Samuel Wales, now living at Brodhead. 

"In the fall of 1836, it was decided best for some family to move to Fort Atkinson in order 
to hold the claim. 

" Accordingly, Dwight Foster, in company with David Bartlett and William Prichard, 
visited Fort Atkinson in October and selected the site where E. P. May's house now stands to 
build a house. Leaving Prichard and Bartlett to build the log cabin, Foster returned to Mil- 
waukee for his family. Returning, he reached the fort November 10, having his family with 
him ; also Aaron Rankin. Mrs. Foster resided at her new home nearly four months without 
seeing a white woman. 

"In February, 1837, Edward N. and' Alvin Foster settled at the fort with their families, 
and built them log cabins only a few rods apart, about one mile up Rock River, on the north 
bank. 

" It may not seem amiss here to state that Alvin Foster and Sylvester Pettibone took the 
first contract for the grading of streets in Milwaukee, Milo Jones surveying the work and estab- 
lishing the grade. I was," continues Mrs. S., " the first white child brought into Jefferson 
County, and Edward J. Foster, son of E. N. Foster, was the first one born in the town of Kosh- 
konong. In 1837, Edward Mason and William Reynolds made claims between Koshkonong 
and Jefferson. R. C. Dodge and family, with Robert Barrie, settled here in June, 1837, and 
Charles Rockwell, with liis family, came about the 1st of July in the same year, as did, it is 
believed, Calvin West, Elijah Kinney and James and Gerard Crane. 

"Tiie first death among this little band of pioneers was Edward Foster, Sr.,who died at the 
residence of his son, Edward N. Foster, October 10, 1837, and was buried at Big Bend, 
on the river, Charles Rockwell reading the burial service of the Episcopal Church. 



500 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

" The first marriage was that of AVilliam Prichard to Susan Lems, the ceremony being 
performed in Milwaukee, whither Pricliard went for that purpose, in the summer of 1837, after 
which he returned to his home, at that day located on the farm now owned by Mr. Wood. 

"In the spring of 18-37, th^ Winslow brothers, the Finches and a Mr. Gorton, settled in 
Koshkonong, and Aaron Allen, with his family, moved into the cabin of John Allen, on what is 
now the Beemer farm, near Lake Koshkotioiiff, in which -John Allen lived a hermit life, after he 
came to these parts in 1836. 

"This brings us to 1838, during the spring of which year Charles Rockwell bought the first 
stock of goods, consisting of ready-made clothing, cloth, groceries, etc., he at that time residing 
at what was known as Rockwell's Crossing, his claim covering the tract of land owned in 
1874 by James McPherson, Alvin Strong, Joseph Morrison and others. 

"Among those who became settlers in that year were S. A. Rice, Robert Greives and family, 
Cyrus Curtis, and the family of Milo Jones, Mr. Jones having come at an earlier day and sur- 
veyed the country. It might here be mentioned that Dwight Foster kept the first ferry, crossing the 
river just east of the present May residence. It originally consisted of two large canoes lashed 
together so as to hold a wagon, the horses and cattle being obliged to swim, and a canoe for the 
conveyance of foot passengers. In the spring of 1838, a man named Lonsdale built a scow and 
skiff for ferrying purposes, and moved the ferry site to the point on Main street, where the river 
is now bridged. The ferry was pulled across the stream by chain ropes, manufactured by R. 
C. Dodge, who was a blacksmith, and opened a shop in 1841, on Main street, near the bridge. 

" The first post office in Fort Atkinson was established in 1838, Dwight Foster being the 
first Postmaster, and Solomon Hudson, mail carrier, his route being from Janesville to Water- 
town and return. These were the first facilities for receiving the mail, except as some one from 
the neighborhood went to Milwaukee, taking with them a list comprising the names of settlers 
and procuring their papers or letters. At that time, postage on letters to and from the Eastern 
States was 25 cents. 

"George P. Marston came to the fort in 1838, also, and was the defendant in the first 
jury trial of record in the settlement, Mary Bennett being plaintiff. She sued him for the 
amount of a wash bill, and the hearing of the facts was had at the house of Charles Rockwell, 
first Justice of the Peace. 

" The first sermon preached in the settlement was by the Rev. Mr. Pilsbury, a Methodist 
clergyman, in the winter of 1837, at the house of E. N. Foster. Afterward, the Revs. Pilsbury 
and Halstead preached occasionally. The first Congregational society was formed in 1842, at 
the residence of Milo Jones, by the Rev. Mr. Peet, with a membership of fourteen persons, and 
Dr. Arms as the preacher in charge. The first Sabbath school was held at the house of Dr. 
Morrison in 1840 or 1841, Cornelia Veeder being Superintendent. 

" The first steamboat was built at Aztalan, by Nelson P. Hawks ; came down the river in 
1839, and went to the Mississippi, where it afterward ran." 

The history of the first financial panic is related by Mrs. Southwell, as follows : " Jefferson 
County was first organized under the Commissioners' system ; among the first necessities was 
that of claim regulation, which required all claims of land made by settlers to be registered, 
whereby all trespass was forbidden, and all differences adjusted. E. N. Foster was the first 
Register of Claims, and the estate of William Prichard, wlio died August 12, 18311, was the 
first estate to be administered upon, Milo Jones being the administrator. The land sale of 1839 
was held in the fall, and many of the settlers were unable to attend in consequence of fever and 
ague. Being an.xious to secure their homes, they intrusted the money to pay in their names to 
E. N. Foster, who proceeded to Milwaukee for that purpose, with §200 in specie in his saddle- 
bags, and the balance in treasury notes in his pocket. Honest himself, and supposing every one 
else to be as honest, he gave the saddle-bags to the landlord to take care of, who put them under 
his wife's bed. When inquired for, the money was missing, and no trace of it could be found 
until the ne.xt spring, when the saddle-bags and §300 were found in the root-house of Mr. Vail. 
The hostler of the house was accused of the theft, arrested, tried, found guilty and sentenced to 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 501 

three months' imprisonment in the county jail. The loss at that time was a terrible blow to the 
little settlement." There has always been a general impression that the hostler was innocent. 

"In the year 1839, there were new accessions to the neighborhood in the families of Chester 
JVIay, Sr , Dr. Morrison, A. F. Snell, Freeman Morrison, Mrs. Barrie and two sons, with others. 

" The first frame house in the vicinity was built by Asad Dean Williams for Chester May. 
Sr., on the farm recently owned by William Benham. Mr. May had part of the house fitted 
up as a .store, and brought in a stock of goods. 

"In the spring of 1840, Charles Rockwell, the first carpenter locating at the fort, built a 
house for Dr. Morrison, the first practicing physician. In the same spring, Mr. Rockwell also 
built the first framed house in the village, near tlie present corner of River and Main streets. 
The same spring, Mr. Rockwell purchased a block of land for $20 of D wight Foster. In 1841, 
he built the frame house now occupied as a millinery store, at the corner of Main and Milwaukee 
streets, and sold it to Lyman Hickcox, who brought the first stock of goods ever sold in the vil- 
lage. The same year, Mr. Rockwell built a residence for himself adjoining the grocery store of 
Hickcox, which, subsequently, was occupied by the family of H. E. Southwell, and was the scene of 
the first prayer-meeting and Episcopal service held in the village. Mr. Humphrey, from Beloit, 
delivered the first Fourth of July oration ; Mi's. Dwight Foster prepared the dinner, the day's 
festivities closing with a dance in the evening, at the house of D. Foster." E. N. Foster built 
what was, at the date of Mrs. Southwell's address, known as the Eagle Hotel, on the North Side, 
subsequently destroyed by fire. 

" The first school was taught by Jane Crane, in the spring of 1839, on the north side of the 
river, in what was known as the ' Barrie boys' shanty,' on the bluff a little west of the railroad 
crossing. The first schoolhouse was built by Charles Rockwell, in 1844; the first summer school 
was taught by Martha Rankin ; the first winter term by the Rev. Simeon Bicknell ; the first select 
or high school was taught by Benjamin F. Adams. The first jeweler was Perry Hickcox, who 
occupied a desk in the store of Lyman Hickcox. 

" George Cooper's was the first cooper-shop, standing on the site of the house subsequently 
occupied by Mr. Warnschneider ; George Dix was the first shoemaker; R. Covey, the first wagon- 
maker ; R. C. Dodge's the first blacksmith-shop; Robert Bruce, the first tinsmith; Robert 
Greives, first tailor ; Edward Rankin taught the first singing school ; Franklin Utter brought 
the first job printing press ; T. W. and Emma Brown published the first newspaper, the Wisconsin 
Chief, and, in 1850, Charles Rockwell built the first church erected in the village." 

Supplementary to Mrs. Southwell's address, it may be added that some claim that the first 
hotel in the village was built by Dwight Foster, in 1841, on Main street, opposite the Green 
Mountain House, on the corner now occupied by H. A. Porter's grocery. During the same 
year, E. N. Foster erected the hotel above referred to, which, with the bachelors' hall of Will- 
iam Barrie, on the West Side, and Rufus Dodge's blacksmith-shop, were the only buildings to 
be seen at that time. 

The first shoemaker, it is also claimed, was not George Dix but Owen Duffey, who maintained 
a shop on the left bank of the river east of the bridge, and the first cabinet-maker was Josiah 
Goodrich, who is remembered as coming here about 1843. 

THE BRIDiiE. 

The point on Rock River, now spanned by the bridge, which connects north and south towns 
was, as is already known, originally a ferry. The first bridge was projected in the fall of 1842. 
During that winter, the settlers went into the forest and "got out" tlie timber for its construc- 
tion. It was of the truss pattern with oak bents and stringers, and completed so that teams could 
cross about June, 1843. In the winter of 1844-5, a man residing in Dodge County, while driv- 
ing cattle across the bridge, was kicked by an animal of his herd, falling upon the ice and receiving 
injuries from which death resulted saon after. The structure was worn out in time, and has been 
succeeded by several bridges of different patterns, the last being completed some seven years ago. 



502 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Main street was originally an old Territorial road from Racine to Madison, but changed 
into its present form at an early day and annually improved. Milwaukee was the first cross 
street surveyed, laid out and put in order for travel. 

THE city's progress. 

During the decade from 1840 to 18'/0, the first harness-shop, in addition to other business 
interests cited, was established by Joel L. Walker ; a military company was improvised, but fell 
through ; the Green Mountain House, Congregational Church and other buildings were erected. 

During the succeeding ten years, the future city improved materially, schoolhouses were 
built, manufacturing interests established and other ventures which have since grown into exten- 
sive corporations, though limited, were objects of special importance. 

THE MORMONS. 

In the summer of 1852, a number of Mormon saints from Beaver Island, in Lake Mich- 
igan, on a proselyting tour, made their appearance in the vicinity of the fort and attracted a 
number of converts from the settlement. They established themselves on the northwest side of 
Lake Koshkonong, whence they made predatory levies, their former neighbors being the 
victims. These felonious incursions were endured for a season, but culminated when the mob 
broke into the house of Joseph Horan one night, and at the muzzle of a gun robbed him of vari- 
ous household articles. This aroused the village to an appreciation of the situation and induced 
pursuit, resulting in the capture of Preston Downing, and a man named Heth, former residents 
of Koshkonong, who were tried, convicted and imprisoned in the penitentiary. This prompt 
interference was the means of breaking up the raids, as also Mormon influence in this vicinity. 

HORSE-THIEVES. 

In the winter of 1855, John Conway, a peripatetic adventurer, but known to modern enact- 
ment as a "tramp," visited the house of Rufus Dodge, craving hospitality and rest. His wants 
were supplied, and in the evening, while his host's back was turned, the ungrateful mendicant 
slipped into the barn and fled upon one of Mr. Dodge's horses. He was pursued southward 
along Rock River into Illinois, but escaped, the horse being captured by P. G. Bowen, of Fort 
Atkinson, and this circumstance was the prime cause of the creation of the " Anti-Horse- Thief 
Society," an organization still in existence, and represented all over the Northwest. 

THE FIRST TRAINING. 

The first "militia training" is spoken of by the old settlers with some humor. This his- 
toric event, according to their statements, was unaccompanied by much of the spirit ordinarily 
attendant upon " grim- visaged war." It occurred about 1841. The settlers were ordered by 
Gov. Dodge to rendezvous at a stated place. Arms were scarce, but their absence was supplied 
by an excess of canteens. Capt. Finch commanded, and, there being no subordinate officers, he 
appointed them, including a Corporal. This latter, unappreciative of the distinguished honor, 
and unmindful of his obligations to obey, resented what he considered an affront, and, as the 
chronicler relates, "booted the Captain." No arrests were made, but the company disbanded 
without leaving any record to guide the historian regarding its future engagements. 

ITEMS OF INTEREST. 

Many other events of importance occurred in the early days of the city, but, owing to the 
defective memory of those who should be familiar with the facts, their elaboration is denied the 
historian. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOK COUXTY. 503 

During the war, Fort Atkinson and her citizens were fully alive to the demands of the 
Government, and contributed men and money to the support of the Union arms. After the 
war, the vast manufacturing interests which are now maintained in that vicinity received a new 
impetus, and have grown into values of great proportions. 

Situated in the valley of Rock River, almost within sight of a sheet of water equaling in 
beauty and history the lakes of the Old World, about which cluster hallowed memories and 
romantic associations. Fort Atkinson contemplates a future as peaceful in its surroundings aa 
'• Sweet Auburn," the home of wealth and influence, and a happiness born of simplicity, as 
elegant as it is unusual ; inseparable from true worth, and a golden age of social superiority. 

Among the pioneers who still survive are the following, whose names have been collected 
for the city's history : Stephen A. Rice, Laura Rice, Milo Jones, Charles Rockwell, Rufus 
Dodge, Rebecca Dodge, H. S. Prichard, Sarah L. Prichard, Mrs. Martha Lewis, Darwin and 
Alonzo Morrison, of Denver; Mrs. Maria ^lorrison, Mrs. Sophia Wilcox, Edward and Mariette 
Foster, of Fond du Lac ; Aaron and Sarah Rankin, Mrs. Caroline Snell, Mrs. Aaron 
Allen, of St. Paul ; Mrs. Dwight Foster, of Milwaukee ; Mrs. C. A. Southwell, of Mil- 
waukee; Mrs. Fidelia Shepherd, of San Diego, Cal. ; Dr. Joseph Winslow, A. Winslow, 
Milton Snell, Wirt Snell, Newton Snell, of Missouri ; Mrs. Anna Wheeler, of Janesville : 
Misses Susan and Maria Snell, of Janesville ; Mrs. Ellen Carey, of Fond du Lac ; Chester 
May, E. P. May, George May, Mrs. Elizabeth Caswell, Alvaron Allen, of St. Paul ; Quincy 
Allen, of Memphis ; Mrs. Mary Foster, of Appleton ; L. M. Roberts, Samuel and Daniel Finch, 
of Cambridge, Iowa ; Lewis and John Waldref, of Oxford, Mo. ; William Wheeler, Lyman 
Hickcox, Joseph Morrison, M. L. Bates, Mrs. Martha Bates, of Salem, Mo.; Gerard Crane, 
of Pennsylvania ; James Crane, of Neosho ; Edward Rankin and Mrs. Amelia M. Rankin, 
daughter of Milo Jones ; Adna J. Rankin, Thomas Crane, Deborah Crane, Newton Jones, 
Geneva, Ohio ; Harrison and Eli Kinney ; James Bliss and wife ; Joshua Kirkland and wife, 
Carlos Curtis, Mrs. H. E. Caswell ; Mrs. A. E. May, Mrs. Cordelia Warne, Whitewater, and 
others. 

At the request of the editor of the Union, Mr. Charles Rockwell, one of the pioneers of 
Fort Atkinson, who died Oct. T, 1879, contributed the following incident of the early history of 
the city to the columns of that paper : 

'•At the time of the occurrence narrated here, the writer had selected for his 'home in the 
wilderness' Section 11, Town 5, Range 14, comprising at this date the farms now owned by 
J. F. Morrison, James McPherson, A. Strong and H. Merriman. My log cabin I built new, 
near Bark River, on account of two beautiful springs, on the land owned by J. F. Morrison. 
This has ever been to me a consecrated spot, and is the place where the farmers and Old Settlers 
held their picnic last Fourth of July. When I located my claims, in 1837. the land was not in 
market, neither had the Indians been removed from their old and favorite hunting-grounds in 
this vicinity ; Bark River was a hunter's paradise to them, and, as soon as the ice was out in 
the spring, fleets of canoes were seen on the river. Whenever they passed the shemokoman s 
cabin, they were pretty sure to call. Their stock in trade was furs, venison and fish, with an 
occasional Indian-tanned buckskin, brought out from under the old squaw's blanket. An Indian 
never traded, if he owned a squaw ; still there were exceptions, as the sequel will show. I give 
this story the name of 

" ' shemokoman's squaw, or, the heroine of bark river.' 

" One day in the spring of 18-38, myself and hired man had gone to the woods to prepare 
for sugar-making. To find a good bush, we had to cross the river opposite my cabin and go 
four miles into the big woods. We selected a bush that suited us, near which were encamped 
about forty Indians, big and little. They would frequently come to the cabin to trade with the 
'shemokoman's squaw ' (white man's wife). We had a large dog that was death on Indians if 
they meddled with anything about the cabin, and he usually stayed at home with my wife and 



504 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

little boy, two years old. On the day on which occurred the incident I am about to relate, the dog 
went with us to the woods. We were gone all d:iy, and when we returned to the cabin that 
night, my wife said to me, 'That Tonta Buck and his brother have been here today.' These 
were two powerful Indians, about thirty years of age, and both splendid specimens of the Pot- 
tawatomie tribe. Tonta had been to the cabin before, to swap venison, honey and fish for flour 
and poik. This time he had honey. Both Indians came in and sat down awhile, waiting till 
they were satisfied the dog was gone. Tonta offered to swap honey for pork, and said : ' Heap 
kokosh (pork), heap honey.' My wife said she saw he was bound to have things his own way. 
She got him some pork and flour, and told him she would give him so much for his honey. He 
said, 'No! swap petite' (too little), and began to flourish his knife. We had a fire-place at 
that time, and we had brought with us from the East the old New England shovel and tongues. 
The shovel was about four feet long, with a wide, strong blade. My wife .saw her chance, and 
placed herself between the shovel and the Indian. She saw he intended to scare her, so that 
she would run from the cabin, like most of the other women of the settlement ; but in this he 
was sadly mistaken, for, as he came toward her, she reached for the shovel, and, with a swift 
motion, brought it down with a sounding whack on his ugly head. He gave a grunt and 
retreated, saying : ' How ! Nishashin shemokoman's squaw ; me nishashin ashanobba ; ' which 
meant: Good white man's squaw, me good Indian. ' Me swap and puckachee wigwam ' (me 
trade and leave house). His brother, who had been a looker-on all this time, gave a loud laugh 
and called Tonta a squaw, and said : ' Heap brave shemokoman's squaw.' They took the pork 
and flour my wife had first ofl'ered, left their honey and ' puckacheed.' Never after that did the 
Indians dictate about trading in my cabin. I did not tell my wife she was a little heroine of a 
woman, but I thought so, nevertheless. I felt proud of being the husband of a woman who 
dared defend her home and property from such devils. Two weeks after this occurrence, a party 
of Indians came to a neighbor's house and found the wife all alone ; they made a few demon- 
strations, and the woman fled through the woods to my house, half dead with fright. The 
Indians gobbled ten bushels of potatoes and all the other provisions. My neighbor brought his 
wife to my house until we got through making sugar, and she had a fit of sickness consequent 
upon her fright. This is one of many incidents of like character, that marked the pioneer life 
of this town at that early day." 

As an evidence of the city's growth and prosperity, the following figures are taken from the 
annual exhibit of the city's progress, published in 1878 : The sales of goods, wares and mer- 
chandise are .stated at about $1,000,000 ; 680 messages were sent and 887 received at the tele- 
graph office dining the year; tlie bank paid $586,143 in drafts, and the business men $17,377 
for hired help during the year. 

TOWN MEETINGS. 

The first record of any town meeting, according to the statements made regarding old set- 
tlers, and published in the Union .luly 7, 1876, was held April 5, 1842, at the house of Ches- 
ter May, Sr., at which Charles Rockwell presided as Moderator, and George P. Marston, Clerk. 
One hundred dollars was "raised for town expenses. J. Bliss, A. Finch, P. S. West and Milo 
Jones were appointed Pathmasters, and the Commissioners of Highways laid out nine road dis- 
tricts that year. 

April 4, 1843, the town meeting was held at S. Waldo's house, J. T. Ilaight, Moderator; 
Milo Jones, P. F. Morrison and James Bliss, Supervisors ; John A. Morrison, Clerk, and Ches- 
ter May, Treasurer. 

Thereafter until May 20, 1860, when Fort Atkinson was incorporated as a village, the 
settlement was under township organization, and the following oflicers were elected : Super- 
visors — E. H. Bingham, Chairman in 1844, William Waldruff, Jr., P. S. AVest and D. H. 
Peck receiving a tie vote, no choice was made; 1845, Norman Horton, M. L. Bates and P. L. 
Morrison; 1846, the same officers; 1847, David Wood, D. Foster and James Bliss; 1848, D. 
Wood, Anson Stone and P. S. West ; 1849, A. F. Snell, P. F. West and X. Horton ; 1850, 




X3?-'i'<-^'^S^^'^^$^ 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 507 

Oeorge P. Marston, C. May and E. T. Sheffield; 1851, Alva Stewart, N. Needliam and Squire 
Dunn ; 1852, John W. McPherson, E. H. Bingham and Charles Hummel ; 1853, E. B. King, 
W. T. Davis and Daniel Finch ; 1854, Daniel Finch and John Wentworth ; 1855, no record ; 
1856, E. P. May, Charles Hummel and Joseph Widner; 1857, Charles Rockwell, Edward 
Rice and Gustuf Melberg ; 1858, Edward Rice, W. M. Dunn and Daniel Finch ; 1859, David 
Wood, William Simonds and J. F. Morrison. 

C^erA's— 1844-46, Pascal P. Winslow ; 1847-48, H. F. Pelton ; 1849, W. F. Hovey ; 
1850-51, E. B. King; 1852, Aaron Rankin; 1853, L. P. Caswell; 1854, L. B.Gilbert; 1855, 
no record; 1856, S. R. Crosby; 1857, George Stafford; 1858-59, Wesley Root. 

Treasurers— ISU, Dwight Foster ; 1845. Anson P. Stone ; 1846, Erastus Willard ; 1847, 
Milton Snell ; 1848, Thomas Barrie ; 1849, M. L. Bates ; 1850, J. H. Rawson ; 1851, S. C. 
Hall; 1852-58, Silas Wood; 1854, W. T. Davis; 1855, no record; 1856, B. Davis; 1857, 
Marcellus Finch; 1858, James Crane; 1859, D. Alworth. 

VILLACiE ROSTER. 

The records of Fort Atkinson, from the incorporation of the village until the 18th of 
6ctober, 1870, and everything belonging to the Village Clerk's office, was contained in Lohmil- 
ler's block, corner of North Main and Germany streets, and entirely consumed by fire on the 
morning of the 13th of October, 1870. 

At an election held in the spring following, the officers chosen for the village for that and 
subsequent years, were recorded and preserved, as will be noticed from the subjoined roster: 

Chairmen of Board of Trustees — 1871, .Joseph Winslow ; 1872, George W. Webb ; 
1873-74, 0. S. Cornish; 1875, Reuben S. White; 1876, L. B. Royce; 1877. AV. D. Hoard. 

Trustees of the Village — 1871, W. E. Smith, D. G. Snover, R. Emery, 0. S. Cornish, D. 
Bullock and J. C. Widmann ; 1872, N. F. Hopkins, R. S. White, Phil Eckhardt, Robert Bar- 
rie, John Wilderman and Jerry INIason ; 1873, D. Bullock, A. J. Rankin, A. Winslow, J. Wid- 
mann and Samuel Bishop ; 1874, D. Bullock, John Wilderman, S. A. Bridges, A. J. Rankin, 
Samuel Bishop and W. E. Smith ; 1875, Francis H. Allen, J. F. MuUer, Joseph Winslow, J. C. 
Widmann, Stephen Payne and Gilman Sargeant ; 1876, N. F. Hopkins, L. M. Roberts, Robert 
Barrie, George Landgraf, Jerry Mason and Thomas Brown ; 1877, G. W. Burchard, J. W. 
Lohmiller, D. Bullock, S. A. Bridges, E. E. Sheldon and F. Longholff. 

Clerks— 1^1\, Henry Wernicke; 1872, Samuel A. Craig; 1873, Frank Hoffman; 1874-75, 
Henry Wernicke ; 1876, Sherwood Ball ; 1877, A. E. Baldwin. 

Treasurers— 1^11, A. Winslow; 1872, E. S. Rice; 1873, H. B. Willard; 1874-75, 
Frank Vickery ; 1876, E. S. Rice : 1877, S. S. Curtis. 

Marshals— im\, A. B. Emery; 1872, Robert B. Smith; 1873, J. B. Preston; 1874-75 
0. Vaughn ; 1876, James Flint ; 1877, S. C. Sawyer. 

Supervisors— \mi, Joseph Winslow ; 1872, G. W. Webb ; 1873-74, 0. S. Cornish ; 1875, 
Reuben S. White ; 1876, L. B. Royce ; 1877, W. D. Hoard. 

Police Justiees—\B12, D. B. Peck; 1874, S. A. Craig; 1876, D. B. Peck. 

THE CITY ROSTER. 

As stated above. Fort Atkinson was incorporated as a city April 5, 1878, and at an elec- 
tion held in accordance with the provisions of the act thereof, the following officers were chosen 
for that year : Mayor, Milo Jones ; Police Justice, H. A. Porter ; Treasurer, A. Winslow ; 
Clerk, A. E. Baldwin : Supervisors— E. P. May, of the First Ward ; D. H. Walker, of the 
Second, and J. W. Lohmiller, of the Third ; Aldermen— R. S. White and F. M. Allen, of the 
First Ward ; T. T. Proctor and George H. Pounder, of the Second, and S. Payne and J. C. 
Widmann, of the Third ; C. A. Caswell appointed City Attorney ; A. E. Jaycox, City Marshal ; 
Adelbert Rockwell and J. D. Flint, Street Commissioners. 



508 HISTORY OF JEFFEHSON COUNTY. 

The election of 1879 resulted in the followint; choice : Mayor, S. S. Curtis; Treasurer, . 
W. Hanson; Clerk, D. G. Craig; Supervisors— E. P. May, of the First Ward; E. P. Hull, . 
the Second, and W. H. Rogers, of the Third; Aldermen — N. F. Hopkins and L. B. Royce, < 
the First Ward ; G. H. Pounder and L. Gooselin, of the Second, and D. W. Curtis and Joh 
Wilderman of the Third. 

BANKS. 

The First National Bank of Fort Atkin»on was incorporated on October 27, 18G3, with 
capital stock of §75,000, and on January 1, 18(34, the doors of the new and now prosperous institi 
tion were thrown open to the rush of an eager multitude who came, some to deposit their han 
earned "pennies," others to open negotiations with and transact business involving thousanc 
of iloliars. The shares were of $100 each, and were divided among the following gentlemer 
who held them in sums varying from §5.000 to §100 each : Joseph Powers, Chester May, El 
P. May, George H. Stafforcl, VVilliam Eustis, George P. JIarston, J. D. Clapp, L. B. Caswel 
G. W. C. May, William Taucre, A. D. Wilcox, R. Manning, A. M. Morrison, A. AVinslov 
J. Winslow, J. F. Morrison, Caroline B. Snell, J. D. Waterbury, D. C. Curtis and D. Holme; 
Of these gentlemen, who constituted the original stockholders, there are now only eigl 
remaining, viz., J. D. Clapp, L. B. Caswell, George W. C. May. J. D. Waterbury, Ely I 
May, William Eustis, George H. Stafford and Mrs. Caroline B. Snell. 

After the organization was completed, the following officers were elected, and they still hoi 
their positions, the only change being the appointment of a Vice President, Mr. E. P. Ma 
having been called upon to fill that position about a year ago. They are Messrs. J. D. Clap} 
President ; and L. B. Caswell, Cashier. 

This bank has the honor of being the third organized in the State of Wisconsin, and th 
one hundred and fifty-seventh in the United States. The surplus stock now amounts to §16,00( 

MANUFACTURING. 

The Northwestern Furniture Company was organized in 1800, and commenced busines 
with a capital of §25,000, which was increased in 1858 to §50,000, again, in 1871. to §75,00( 
and, in 1879, to 100,000. 

The cash dividends paid to stockiiolders thus far aggregate upward of §10,000 in exce? 
of the amount paid in by them on the §75,000 subscribed, and the undivided surplus earning 
amount to fully 50 per cent of the capital stock. 

In September, 1878, the wagon and carriage business of Widdmann, Wandschneider & C( 
and the foundry and machine business of the Foundry and Machine Company, were absorbed b 
the Fiirniture Company, and the name changed to the Northwestern Manufacturing Company 
§25,000 additional capital invested an<l the erection of buildings (since completed) to acconc 
modate the increased business commenced. These include a fictory 40x50, three storie 
higli, for wood working machinery adapted to the manufacture of wagons ; machine-shop 
30x40 : blacksmith-shop 80x40. and a foundry, 28x38, all of brick, substantially built an 
covered with tin roofs. In addition, the Company has erected a wooden building for the stoi 
age of hardware, etc., 30x36, and a paint shop 32xti0, three stories high, the buildings of th 
old foundry company. 120x3(3, and 20x40, being used for the manufacture of cutters. Durin, 
the year 1879, additional warehouses and sheds for the storage of wagons, lumber and materials 
were erected, both at Fort Atkinson and Seymour, also a warehouse 100x40 for the protectioi 
and storage of wagons and carriage-;. During that year, the Company purchased the busines 
and stock of the Whitewater Cutter Works, in which is manirfactured. under the direction of J 
A. Chapman, from one thousand to fifteen hundred cutters of various styles, annually, am 
innumerable varieties of light sunshades and buggy tops. 

The entire buildings now owned and occupied by the Company for manufacturing and storag 
purposes, have upward of 125.000 feet of floor surface, and their increase of business render 
the erection of additional buildings in the near future a matter of necessity. 



•HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 509 

Tlie company also own a saw-mill at Seymour, in Outagamie County, in tliebest hardwood 
lumber district in the State, where they have a shop 30x40, two stories iiigh, equipped with 
machinery for sawing, turning and shaping wood material for furniture and wagons. There 
the lumber is sawed, piled, seasoned and cut into shape, thus avoiding the heavy freights inci- 
dent to carrying so much unwrouglit lumber. 

The factory is supplied with the latest and best improved machinery throughout, and with 
its wide range of capabilities in working wood and iron into the various implements and wares 
manufactured, constitutes one of the most complete establishments in the West. From one hun- 
dred and fifty to two hundred hands are employed, at an annual cost of from $40,000 to$;")0,000 
per year, and all features combine to render this one of the most important industrial forces in 
Jefferson County, of the strong and enduring character of which the citizens are justly proud. 

The present officers are John Burnham, President ; L. B. Caswell Secretary and Treasurer, 
and D. Bullock, Superintendent. The capital represented is stated at $100,000. 

Fcrt Aikinson Tannery was established in the spring of 1867, by L. B. Caswell and S. 
D. Rickard. These gentlemen, alive to the manufacturing interests of the city, in the winter 
of 1807, erected a substantial frame building on River street, pi-ovided with all the mechanical 
equipments necessary to a thorough success, at a cost of $7,500, and, in the spring foUowino', 
commenced business. 

The premises occupy an acre and a half at the locality designated, in which is built the 
tannery proper, run by an engine of thirty-horse power, a bark-mill, two bark leaches, etc., 
in complete order for business. The tannery contains sixteen tan-vats, two lime, one water and 
one bait vat, with force and liquor pumps, with capacity to employ the daily services of twelve 
men to supply and run properly, at a monthly cost of about $450. 

The stock turned out includes all grades of boot, shoe and harness leather, and the several 
qualities of mitt and glove stock, in short, every line of goods demanded by the trade except 
finislied morocco. 

The amount invested is represented at $10,000, and the business done annually is upward 
of $2.5,000. 

Tlie Fort Atkinson Cheese Factory was begun in the sjiring of 1868, by Daniel Holmes, 
who erected the buildings on South Main street at present devoted to the uses to which they 
were adapted by the builder. Mr. Holmes carried on the business until his death, in 1873, 
when it was left in charge of W. E. Church, his son-in-law, who effected a disposition of the 
good will of the concern to Q. C. Olin, C. P. Crossfield, T. C. Blanchard and Robert Roberts, 
comprising the firm of Olin, Crossfield & Co., at present in occupation. 

The Company manufacture what is known as the " Full Cream Chedder,'' for the New York 
and Liverpool markets, where it is in constant demand, the 3,600 cheeses shipped annually 
being scarcely sufficient to su]iply the call made by buyers. In the manufacture of this commod- 
ity, the firm use about fifteen thousand pounds of milk dail}', and employ three men at a 
monthly salary of $150. 

The business represents an investment of, say $2,500, and the sales aggregate $17,000 per 
year. 

The Rectangular Churn Manufactory of 0. S. Cornish and D. W. Curtis is located on the 
North Side, and represents a valuable and prominent interest in the business of the city. The 
partnership for the manufacture of this article, indispensable to domestic economy, was formed 
on November 1, 1872, and preparation for carrying on the business, such as the erection of 
houses, supplying them with machinery, etc., involved the investment of $20,000 ; the firm turn 
out twenty churns each week, of what are known as the " Whipple patent ; " employ a force of 
ten men, whose services entail a weekly cost of $120, and the business transacted each year is 
stated at $10,000. 

In addition to this specialty, the firm also manufactures the '' Lever Butter Worker," an 
invention of their own, and the " Rectangular Mixer," for the thorough compounding of medi- 
cines, pulverized spices, baking-powder and ground goods. 



510 HISTOKY OF .lEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

They manufacture 1,000 of each every year, the sales of which (combined) aggregate a sun 
approximating 3^0,000. 

Fort Atkinson Mills. — The largest ami most complete flouring-mills in the township weri 
first erected by T. T. Proctor and J. A. Head, in 1860, at their present site on River street 
The mills were completed in October, 1860, and run until the following May, when thei 
were destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of §:i4.000. They were at once rebuilt by the sami 
parties, being completed in February, 1862, and operated in the spring of 1863, when Mr 
Head disposed of his interest to H. E. Southwell for §4,000. In 1864. the firm of Proctor i 
Southwell sold the mills to a man named Mitchell for §7,000. who continued their operatioi 
until 1866, when they came into possession of the First National Bank of Fort Atkinson, unde 
foreclosure proceedings, and were by that corporation sold to E. P. May, J. D. Waterbury an( 
F. M. Allen, who ran them under the firm name of May, Waterbury it Co. until April 5, 1877 
when Mr. Allen purchased the interest of his partners for §10,000, associated his son with him. 
and has conducted the business as F, M. Allen & Son from that day until now. 

The mills are, as stated, among the most e.xtensive in this portion of the State, containino 
four run of stone, propelled by steam-power, with a capacity of turning out sixty-eight barrel; 
of flour daily, furnishing employment to six men at a monthly expense for wages of $250. 

The stock placed on the market is made of the best qualities of wheat, rye and corn, an( 
includes some of the most approved grades of flour, including "Allen's Favorite," " Lega 
Tender," " Golden Chit," etc., which are in constant demand on the Chicago market. 

The capital invested is reported at §15,000, and the yearly business aggregates §40,000. 

Dalton <f- G-rassmuck's Bretocry was built in 1850 on its present site, West Milwaukee 
street, by George Lewis, who. in conjunction with H. S. Prichard and D. S. Morrison, ha 
operated the venture successfully until within the past six months, " Prichard's Ale " bein; 
esteemed for its quality and purity all over the country. 

On the 1st of January, 1879, A. Dalton, of Chicago, and H. Grassmuck purchased th' 
investment, and, during the year, completed improvements for extending and diversifying th^ 
business. 

The present capacity of the works is for the malting of twenty-two thousand bushels o 
malt and the manufacture of eighteen barrels of beer and ale daily. 

To do this requires the ser\ ices of five men at a weekly salary amolinting to §50 an( 
immense quantities of hops and cereals necessitating the outlay of large sums. 

Maltin" for the Chicago market will be a feature of the enterprise proposed by Messrs. D 
& G., who purpose doing a wholesale business. 

The brewery represents an investment of §8,000, and the receipts are estimated at §20,00( 
per annum. 

Fort Atkinson Brickyard was organized in the summer of 186T by L. M. Roberts, b] 
whom the undertaking has since been conducted with a success not more gratifying than deserved 
When runniniT full force, which he does during the months when '• brickmaking " is carried on 
he employs twenty men at a weekly salary of §200, turning out nearly one hundred thousan( 
brick of qualities from common to superior. 

The business annually disposed of aggregates fully §6,000, and represents an investment o 
capital estimated at §8,000. 

SECRET SOCIETIES. 

I. 0. 0. F., Hahnemann Lodye^ No. 180, was organized on June 2, 1870, with thi 
foUowiniT charter members : J. Gorth, John Wolf, William Lohmiller, John Kahl and Jacol 
Ohlwiler. Tlie first officers were: N. G., Jacob Gorth; V. G. John Wolf; R. S., J. Berodin 
P. S., Frank Hoffman; T., William Lohmiller. Since its organization, the Lodge has incrcasec 
and prospered very well. They now have a membership of fifty-seven, and are worth abou 
§1,400. principally in cash. The present officers are : N. G., Fred Siefert ; V. G., P. Irving 
R. S., John Henzler ; P. S., F. Strehlow ; T., Herman Zeugner. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUXTT. 511 

/. 0. 0. F., Fort Atkinson Lodge, No. 2^., was re-organized April 27, 1869, the re-organi- 
zation and re-issue of a charter being rendered necessary by the collapse of an older Lodge about 
tweptv years prior to the above date. The petitioners for the re-organization were Joseph Win- 
slow, George Prestidge, J. C. Keeney, Darwin Morrison and Milo Jones. The first officers 
were: J. Winslow, N. G. ; George A. Jenkins. Y. G. ; A. H. Sweetser, R. S. ; E. 0. Morrison, 
T. The present officers are C. A. Caswell, N. G. ; A. E. Baldwin. V. G. ; E. Peirce. Secre- 
tary ; D. G. Craig, P. S. : S. D. Rickard, T. ; Charles Rice, R. S. N. G.: W. C. Metcalf, S. S.: 
Marvin Roberts, tV. ; Robert Roberts, C. : N. D. Harding, R. S- S. ; John McPherson, S. 
S. S. ; A. Hollenbach, 0. G. ; H. D. Wales, 1. G. ; A. H. Noyes, R. S. V. G. ; Theo Le Doux, 
L S. V. G. ; Trustees, Albert Roberts, S. Gosselin. G. A. Jenkins : Finance Committee. Marvin 
Roberts, D. B. Peck, Charles Rice. The present membership is eighty. 

A. 0. U. W., Fort Atkinson Lodge. No. 35. — This branch of the Ancient Order of 
United Workingmen was instituted on Julv 16, 1878, with the following charter members : 
E. W. Stone. A. D. Wilcox, R. S. White, Charles Learned, J. H. Davis, T. M. Stackus, George 
H. Pounder, D. W. Curtis. J. W. Foote, Clarence Curtis, D. S. White. H. A. Smith, A. B. 
Fitch, E. L. Fuller, I. G. Stone, J. Williams, A. E. .Jaycox, C. H. Converse, R. Jay Coe. O. S. 
Cornish. G. A. Pratt, C. H. Roberts, Thomas Brown, Thomas Sla^g. James Brett, William G. 
Palmer. H. R. Root, W. Y. Wentworth, W. D. Hoard, Asa Foote, (X B. Lawrence, D. H. Brown, 

E. Brewin, I. L. Rankin. L. Emrath, S. A. Bridges, P. J. Brundage. W. A. Rockwell, H. A. 
Wise, G. A. Hull. J. Q. Emery, D. Whitaker, J. K. Steensen, 0. Wigdale. J. D. Goodman. J. M. 
Yeile. William North, J. H. Flint, H. Ogden, T. Wenham, S. A. Craig, J. B. Wilds, N. F. Hop- 
kins, John W. Edwards, Herman Ailing. The first officers were: P. M. W.. 0. S.Cornish; 
M. W., E. W. Stone ; G. F., George A. Pratt : 0.. D. S. White : Rec. D. AV. Curtis ; F., D. H. 
Brown ; R.. R. S. White ; G., H. Ogden : I. W., C. B. Lawrence ; 0. W., John H. Davis : Medi. 
cal Examiner, E. W. Stone ; Trustees, D. W. Curtis, I. N. Stone and S. A. Bridges. In the 
pasr twelve months, the Lodge has only been called upon once, through the death of a member, 
to make any outlay, so it is in a prosperous condition. It has now a memberehip of eighty-four, 
all of whom are in good standing. The following are the names of the officers : P. M. A\ .. N. 

F. Hopkins; M. W., D. S. White; G. F., D. Whitaker; 0.. L X. Stone: Rec.. J. Williams; 
R. R. S. White; F., Delos Brown; L W., James Brett; 0. W., H. L. Ailing: Trustees, D. 
W. Curtis, Ole Wigdale and Carlos Curtis. 

Temple of Honor. No. 108, was organized on February -24. 1877, with the following 
charter members : D. C. Kimball. G. J. Kirkland, H. D. Stevenson. W. E. Church. R. H. 
Strutbers, Ned Matison. George A. Jenkins. D. B. Peck. Dr. W. Smith, S. E. Bright. 0. E. 
Hellin. W. S. Trude. Albert Roberts, S. S. Ball. G. J. Kirkland. S. M. Roberts. A. H. Jenkins, 
S. D. Rickard. S. Gosselin. S. F. Wilcox, J. K. Stevenson. H. S. Hellin, E. L. Deline. G. 
Owens. John C. Kahl. H. A. Porter. J. Q. Emerv, G. Will Mav. D. S. Damoth. A. D. Buell. 
The first officers were: S. F. Wilcox. W. C. T. : L. M. Roberts, W. V. T. : D. C. Kimball. W. 
R. ; S. E. Brisht, W. A. R. : G. J. Kirkland, W. F. R. ; G. A. Jenkins, W. T. and C. ; A. H. 
Jenkins, \Y. W. : B. Struthers. W. D. AV. ; A. Roberts. AA'. G. ; A. H. Stevenson, AA". S. : 
S. Gosselin, P. AA'. C. T. The Lodge has now a membership of seventy-two. and owns property 
consisting of furniture, regalia, etc., worth about 82-50. The present officers are as follows : D. 
C. Kimball. W. C. T. ; Heriam Dr.ike. W. V. T. : W. Case. W. R. ; B. Cobb, AV. A. R. ; S. 
Gosselin. AV. F. R. : S. D. Record. W. T. ; A. Roberts, AV. AV. : C. Kunitz. AV. D. A\ . ; W. 
Spoor. AV. G. ; Melvin Glazier. AV. S. ; E. J. Montague, AV. C. ; G. W. Turner. P. AV. C. T. 
They occupy the Odd Fellows' Hall. 

7. 0. G. T., Fort Atkinson Lodge, was organized on November 10, 18-57. with the following 
charter members : J. Allen Shepherd. Asa F. Snell. George S. Hurd, AVillian\_ I. Barrie, Peter 
Eiipibroadt, Thomas Crane. Weslev AV. Root, Garide Crane, Henry I. AVhitney. Jonathan C. 
Keenev. Lucien B. Caswell. H. H. Wilds. Fidelia Kinnev. Marv I. AVhitneyand Gertrude Rankin. 
The following were the first officers: AV. C. T., J. A. Shepherd . W. A^ T.. Mary J. AVhitney ; 
AV. R. S.. We.<lev AV. Root: W. F. S.. Henry J. AVhitney; W. T.. Fidelia Kinnev; W. M., 



512 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

H. II. Wilds; VV. I. G., George S. Hurd; W. 0. G., Garide Crane; W. C, Asa F. Snell. 
The Lodge has now a membership of seventy-four, and is in a very prosperous condition. Fol- 
lowing are the names of the present officers: W. C. T., Charles M. Porter; W. V. T., Lizzie 
Esseltyne: W. R. S., Emma Brown; W. F. S., H. I. Ilellin; W. T.. LiUie Roberts; W. M., 
Henrv Smith ; W. I. G., Allie Morrison ; W. 0. G., Edward Conners ; W. C, Geo. D. Telfer. 

They rent the Odd Fellows' Hall. 

A., F. .)'• A. M., Billiiujs Lodfje, No. IS!), was instituted August 30, 1862, under a dispen- 
sation issued by M. W. G. M. Alvin B. Alden, who appointed C. G. Hammerquist, W. M., 
W. H. Tancre. S. W., and S. P. Randall, J. W. On Friday evening, July 24, 1803, the Lodge 
was regularly instituted, and the following gentlemen ilulv installeil as officers: W. >!., C. G. 
Hammerquist; S. W., W. II. Tanare ; J. W., Joseph Winslow ; T., W. Tancre ; Sec, J. 
Young; S. D., J. C. Young; J. D., Joseph Walton; Tiler, C. B. Midgely. The remaining 
members were 0. Epengree, 0. S. Cornish, T. A. Pratt, John A. Head, AV. B. Parmelee and 
Norman Hall. The Lodge has now a membership of about seventy ; possesses property worth 
$300, and is out of debt. The following are the present officers: W. M., J. W. Hanson; S. 
W., J. H. Davis; J. W., George Pounder; S. D., F. M. Vickery ; J. D., J. J. Walter; T., 
T. xM. Vickery ;' Sec, J. A. Emery ; Tiler, J. L. Preston. 

The Fort Atkinson Anti-IIorse- Thief Society was first organized in 18.33, it is said, and rumoi 
must be taken in the absence of facts, there being no records bearing upon the subject, com- 
pelling this admission. The object of the Society is stated to be the recovery of stolen horses 
and their return to their lawful owners, but more especially to arrest horse-thieves with their 
aiders and abettors. Its protection is confined to citizens of Koshkonong, Cold Spring, Hebron, 
Oakland, Jefferson and Sumner. 

The Society was re-organized on .January 10, 1874, when the following board of officers was 
elected, and the duties disposed of so satisfactorily as to commend the continuance, growth and 
influence of the organization: Robert Barrie, President; E. Rankin, Vice President; J. D. 
Clapp, Treasurer ; D. W. Curtis, Secretary ; H. G. Tousley, P. G. Brown and 0. S. Cornish. 
Vigilance Committee. 

The present officers are : J. H. Davis, President ; E. Jacobus, Vice President ; D. W. Cur- 
tis, Secretary ; 0. S. Cornish, Treasurer ; S. E. Bright, Milo Morrison and Joseph Dobbins, 
Vigilance Committee. 

The meetings are held annually, and the Society's assets at present are stated to be aboul 

Fort Atkingon Band was organized in 1866 ; is composed of thirteen pieces, and bears an 
enviable reputation throughout the State for the excellence of its collections and execution. 
The present members have been enlisted from time to time, scarcely any of the original organi- 
zation remaining, and are as follows : S. Abbott, Leader; Herman Zeuchner, Treasurer; Charles 
Leonard, Secretary; S. A. Bridges, Cheney May, William Zeuchner, Fritz Ilerkel, John W, 
Foote, Frank Hoffman, Clarence Curtis, A. E. Baldwin, Charles Bingham and Frank Zeuchner, 

THE SCHOOLS. 

The cause of education early found an abiding-place in Koshkonong, and the first faini 
glimmerings of the light of this advance type of civilization has, under the benign influence 
e.xerted, long since risen to noonday splendor. The pioneers who began, in a simple way, th( 
building-np of what is to-dav the superior system of learning, accessible to the most humble, 
labored with a faith and love which has brought forth an abundant harvest. Though gone 
their works do follow them, and the present generation, when contemplating a future picturei: 
with promise, faifnot to rise up and bless the memory of th.ose who have long since crossed ovei 
the beautiful river and sleep beneath the shade of trees which line its banks. 

In presenting this cursory review of the schools of Fort Atkinson, nothing has beer 
attempted beyond the collection of such fiicts, bearing upon the subject, as were open to inquiry 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 513 

and examination, and the historian desires, in limine, to here make his acknowledgments to 
Miss Lillie Roberts, of that city, for appropriations from her carefully prepared article on the 
schools, published in the edition of the Jefferson County Union of June 27, 1879 ; to Mrs. 
Edward Rankin, for valuable notes, and also to others, whose generous contributions of informa- 
tion have rendered the task, as a summer's day, full of sunshine and pleasant memories. 

The first school opened in the present city was taught by .Jane Crane, in the summer of 
1839, in a log cabin on the North Side, owned and occupied by the Barrie boys. At the con- 
clusion of the summer term, the advent of Mrs. Barrie, mother of the " boys," necessitated a 
removal, and, during the winter of 1839-40, she maintained her presence in the private resi- 
dence of Milo .Jones, her pupils being Elizabeth May, Amelia Jones, Newton Jones, Susan 
Snell, Celeste Foster and Mary Ann Foster. 

In the summer of 1840, Miss Anna Snell succeeded to the charge, teaching in the resi- 
dence of Asa Snell, her father, Mr. William .J. Barrie following her in the winter. During the 
summer of 1841, Mrs. Charles ^arnsworth took possession of a shanty on the farm at present 
owned by Mr. Wood, and devoted its occupation to educational purposes. In the winter of 
1841-42, Dr. Henry Morrison taught in a log house belonging to Calvin West, his labors con- 
tinuing until summer, when Miss Rhoe West was substituted. The ensuing winter witnessed 
the school's return to its first habitation — the cabin of the Barrie boys, where Mr. Moore, 
assisted by Mr. Farnum, presided. During the summer of that year, another move was made to 
a room in Charles Rockwell s residence, the teacher being Miss Malvina Stewart, \Vm. J. Barrie 
succeeding Miss Stewart in the winter, who, by the way, was the first teacher awarded a certificate. 

In the spring of 1844, Charles Rockwell built the first schoolhouse proper erected in Kosh- 
konong. It was of frame, 25.\30, located opposite the present site of Tousley's livery stable, 
costing $100, and is now occupied as a dwelling. Besides being used as a schoolhouse, religious 
and other meetings were held there, and the following list of teachers instructed pupils in the 
then modest curriculum : In the winter of 1844-45, Rev. Simeon Bicknell ; Miss Martha 
Rankin, summer of 1845; the Rev. Simeon Bicknell. winter of 1845-46; David Brewer, 
winter of 1846-47 and summer of 1847 ; George H. Stafford, winter of 1847-48 and 
summer of 1848; Miss Jerusha E. Swain, winter of 1848-49 and summer of 1849, and 
Lyman Stewart, during the winter of 1849-50. These do not include all the teachers, some 
being omitted, owing to the absence of records. In 1851, the number of scholars enrolled 
was 106, being an increase of 80 in ten years. Miss Swain, after completing her duties in 
Fort Atkinson, visited her parents, and went as a missionary to the Indian Territory, where, 
after remaining a number of years, she returned home to die of cancer. 

During the early school days, two men named Stanley came to the village, pretending to be 
deaf and dumb, and opened a writing-school. They remained here about three months, board- 
ing at the Green Mountain House, at that time kept by Milo Jones, and succeeded in attracting 
a generous patronage, as much by their merit as by the sympathy their aftiiction excited. They 
left, and went to Jefferson, but failing to impress the residents of that vicinity with their worth, 
continued on to Watertown. En route thither, the coach in which they embarked succumbed 
to hard roads and weak timber, when the Stanleys charged about like dismantled chimpanzees, 
uttering imprecations so emphatic and original as to not only establish a new school of profanity, 
but also to unbosom a fraud that had only lain dormant. 

In 1851 or thereabouts, the district was, for some unexplained reason, divided. That on 
the South Side remained' in the building opposite Tousley's stable, while the school on the North 
Side was kept, most of the time, in private houses, as it was not until 1858 that the brick house, 
which stood near the Furniture Company's buildings, was erected. The following are some of 
the teachers who taught in this schoolhou.se from 1858 to 1867 : Miss Hamilton, 1858—59 ; Mrs. 
Elizabeth Wilson and .Joseph Snell, 1861-02; Miss Adelaide Rankin, winter of 1862-63. and 
summers of 1863-64 ; Mark Curtis, winter of 1863-64 ; Dr. Stone ami Miss Emma Everdell, 
1866-67. In the South Side School, Mr. Lamphear, Misses Eliza Ingerson and Elizabeth 
May taught. 



514 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUXTY. 

During the time when schools were taught in the first public schoolhouse, private schools 
were opened in private houses, but chiefly in the basempnt of the old Congregational Church. 
During the winters of 1849-50, the Rev. Meliser Montague maintained a private school at his 
residence on Whitewater avenue, patronized chiefly by young lads from Milwaukee. In 1848, 
B. F. Adams opened a school near where Merriam & Siraonds' store stands, now the postofEce 
building, and afterward in what is known as the " gravel house," nearly opposite J. D. Clapp's 
residence. iMiss Simmons began, in the spring of 18-56, in the Congregational Church base- 
ment, and continued her school until 1858. This was a large institution, requiring an assistant 
part of the time. Others who taught were the Rev. Mr. Atherton, Mr. Maxon, G. Southwell, 
Cordelia Curtis and Adelaide Rankin. 

In 1859, the first brick schoolhouse on the South Side was completed, at a cost of 
$5,500. The upper rooms were leased to J. K. Purdy, who had previously taught a pri- 
vate school in a building that stood on the present site of J. Kirkland's store, the lower 
rooms being used by the city. 

In 18GG, the two districts were again united, and the site for a high-school building 
purchased. The edifice was soon after commenced and completed, at a cost (with the prop- 
erty on which it stood) of §13,850. It is a two-story brick structure, containing five 
rooms, well lighted and heated, 'and possessing ample facilities for school purposes. The 
building is also provided with an assembly-room that will comfortably seat 120 scholars. 
Three teachers — a principal and two assistants — are employed. About the same time, the 
brick schoolhouse on the North Side was built for about $3,200, and completely and appro- 
priately furnished. 

These schools furnish the means of education from the department of primary to the 
higher branches, to all who desire to avail themselves of their benefits. The school year is 
divided into three terms. At the close of each, the students are required to submit to and 
pass a written e.xamination in the course which has been pursued. Scholars who go through 
the prescribed studies creditably receive a diploma. The class of 1871 was the first that 
held graduating exercises, and thus far seven classes have graduated, containing, respectively, 
five, five, ten, seven, fourteen, nine and fifteen members each, — making, in all, sixty-five 
who have graduated at the graded schools of Fort Atkinson. 

The number of scholars enrolled from 18(i9 to 1879, inclusive, is : 18(59, 705 ; 1870, 
631; 1871, 652; 1872, 592; 1873, 581; 1874, 611; 1875, 655; 1876, 658; 1877, 580; 
1878, 619, and 1879, 615. 

The salaries paid teachers are : Principal of High School, $1,300 per annum, with two 
assistants at $45 per month each. On the south side of the river there are one grammar, one 
intermediate and first and second primaries, giving employment to four teachers, one of which 
receives $40 per month, one $30, and two $28 each. On the North Side, the departments, 
teachers and salaries are the same. On the south branch of the river, there is a " mixed school," 
embracing first and second primaries and intermediate, all under one teacher, who receives $28 
per month. 

The present value of school property is $30,000. The present School Board is made up of 
A. D. Wilcox, Director; M. H. Gaiiong, Clerk, and L. B. Caswell, Treasurer. 

THE PRESS. 

In attempting to prepare a history of the press in Fort Atkinson, the historian has encountered 
the utmost difficulty and innumerable cmbargos against a successful undertaking that could not be 
overcome. There were no files of the papers heretofore issued to be had, or, if obtainable, were 
imperfect, afl^iirding the sparsest aid to direct the pursuit of facts or guide the pursuer in his 
labors ; with this knowledge, the reader is able to appreciate the causes which liave served to 
render thisdcpartraent of the work seemingly imperfect, but not so in fact, when it is considered 
that without files or authentic information on the subject from those who should be familiar with 
its every detail, the matter has been arranged and is submitted. 



HISTORY or JEFFERSON COUNTY. 51o 

The Wisconsin Cliicf, now in its twenty-second volume, is a four-column folio, edited and 
lublished by Emma Brown, surviving sister of Thurlow Weed Brown, its founder. 

The paper was brought from New York over twenty years ago and set up in Fort Atkinson, 
ince when, through storm and sunshine, it has maintained its presence, commanding the honor- 
ble regard of its immediate associates, and the esteem of its cotemporaries. 

The Wisconsin Chief is the lineal descendant of the Cayut/a Chief, a paper of distin- 
;uished reputation a quarter of a century ago, published at that time in Geneva, N. Y., to whose 
fForts in the cause of temperance, whatever of success that cause attained, is mainly due. 

In 1852, Mr. Brown visited the West to attend a temperance convention held during that 
ear in Chicago, and repeated his visit the following summer, when he passed several weeks at 
lebron, near Fort Atkinson, in rebuilding a system enfeebled by professional labors. The 
enefit thus derived persuaded Mr. B. to establish himself at Hebron, and, after a season, to 
love the paper of which he was the head to his new field of labor. This was done, and 
he first Western issue of the Cayuga Chief published on Wednesday, October 15, 1856, from 
i'ort Atkinson, the office being that now devoted to the use of the Jefferson County Union. 

Soon after, its name was changed to the Wisconsin Chief, under which it has since been 
nown. It was a folio 24x36, of six columns, issued weekly on Tuesdays and edited by T. W. 
Jrown, assisted by Emma, his sister, who, as stated, still directs the editorial and business man- 
gement. The first object of the publishers was the promotion of the cause of temperance. 
Politically, the Chief was foremost in its support of Republican principles, as enunciated in 
he platform upon which Fremont and Dayton were nominated. 

In 1859, the place of publication was removed to a building further west on Milwaukee 
treet, where it has since remained. The Adams power-press of the paper, the first of that 
attern, by the way, brought into Wisconsin, not only serves its owners here but patrons from the 
urrounding country. 

In 1861, the publication of the weekly edition was abandoned, and an issue put forth 
lonthly in its stead. This was continued about one year, when the paper became semi- 
lonthly. The death of Mr. Brown occurred in May, 1866, when Miss Emma Brown 
ssumed the management, resuming the issue of the weekly edition, which was, however, again 
bandoned in 1870, and the monthly once more substituted. 

Jt is still a " monthly periodical," devoted to the temperance cause, literary selections and 
riginal matter of merit on subjects of general import, but more particularly on that with which 
he paper is so cordially in harmony. The monthly edition is stated at 600. 

In 1859, the Standard was started, by J. A. Shepherd, a folio of six columns. Repub- 
can in politics, and ambitious of success. After a brief proprietorship, Mr. Shepherd 
isposed of his venture to J. C. Keeney, under whose administration the publication was sus- 
cndcd. The files of this paper were not preserved; and save a few which contain nothing 
caring upon the subject in hand, all have disappeared, thus preventing a detailed account of 
he origin, rise and final demise of the Standai-d. 

Fort Atkinson Hei-ald.^Whnt has been stated .regarding the Standard is also true of this 
Durnalistic venture. Little remains of its existence to indicate much beyond the bare fact that 
; was started, so says general rumor, in the summer of 1867, by H. S. Ehrman, in the building 
t present occupied by Hoflhians shoe store, on Milwaukee street. A reasonably lengthy 
ojourn here was fijllowed by its i-emoval to a building on Milwaukee street, immediately east 
f the Green Mountain House, where it survived until H. M. Kutchin,^now of the Fond du 
iac CommonwealtlL, became the owner, and in turn sold to J. C. Keeney, who took the 
aper's effects to Sharort, \Vis., thence to Weyauwega, also in this State, where they serve their 
urjioses in the weekly issue of the Chronicle. In size, the Herald is said to have been a six- 
oluiun folio. Republican in politics, and a fair medium of news, national and local. 

The Jefferson County Union was born at Lake Mills on St. Patrick's Day. 1870, W. D. 
loard, the present editor, introducing the '' new revelation " and vouching for its purity, per- 
lanence and Republicanism, though the circumstances under which the " puling " journalistic 



516 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COtTN^TY. 

infant was thus put forward, the guardian asserts, were in the last degree discouraging. Mr 
Hoard knew nothing of printing or journalism ; was more familiar, he says, with the variou 
grades of " garden sass " than type ; but, having lost heavily in a " hop speculation," venturei 
into the newspaper business in a condition of desperation which he regarded in the light of i 
dernier resort. 

Having concluded upon the move, a contract was closed with J. H. Keyes, of the Water 
town liepublicaa, by the terms of which Mr. Keyes was to furnish the paper and do the printini 
for a consideration of two-thirds of the receipts. The first edition numbered three hundrei 
copies, and was awaited by the editor and subscribers in Lake Mills with an an.xiety approach 
iiig the ridiculous. When it came, the copy was warmly welcomed, and increased in strengtl 
from the day of its introduction. 

Politically, it was square-toed Republican, and so continues. But, as an agricultural paper 
devoted more particularly to the interest of farmers and especially to dairying, has the paper beei 
found invaluable. Under this wise policy, the Union soon found favor with a large class who 
up to its issue, had never subscribed for a paper, and gained in circulation with a rapidity almos 
unprecedented. 

In 1872, the Wisconsin Dairymen's Association was organized at Watertown, largel; 
aided through the Union s influence, which was made the official organ of the Association. 

In April, 1873, a copartnersKip was formed by Mr. Hoard with Charles Fullerton, of th 
Lodi Journal, whereby the Jownal and Union were consolidated. This proved a prosperou 
move, as, on the 1st of January, 1874, the circulation of the consolidation was found to b 
fifteen hundred. At that date, Mr. Hoard purchased Fullerton's interest, and has since con 
ducted the paper alone. The sheet is Republican politically, interesting locally, prosperou 
financially and steadily maintains an enviable position among the papers of the county. 

POST OFFICE. 

The old post office of Fort Atkinson, used in the early days of the settlement, is a fane 
bo.x, the property of Mrs. C. E. Southwell, of Milwaukee, but, at present writing (1879), in th 
possession of the family of Rufus Dodge, by whom it is treasured as a valuable reminder of day 
lang syne. 

This was some time about 1840, when Dwight Foster was the power behind the throne, an 
transacted the office business in his private house; but, as there was but one mail a week, born 
on the back of an Indian pony, directed by Silas Stevens, the official business was not of 
character that deprived him of sleep. 

Mr. Foster remained in charge for some years, being succeeded by John T. Ilaight, whc 
in turn, gave place to D. S. Morrison, who retained possession until 1850, when Milo Jones wa 
substituted, and remained the incumbent until 1858. In that year, A. J. Rankin was appointed 
and retained the office until April. 18G1, yielding precedence to A. M. Hurd, who remained ii 
power until 18(35, and was succeeded by ^I. H. Ganong, who "still lives" in possession of th 
fees anil emoluments attending the office of Postmaster. 

When Mr. Ganong assumed charge, the office was located in the store two doors south c 
the present location of Wolf's .saloon, where, in April, 18(36, it was completely destroyed by fir 
Thereafter, it was removed until the present location was settled upon, and has since been retained 

Since 18(36, the business has increased almost double and the quarters now used will soo: 
have to be enlarged to accommodate the growing demand. In that year, the gross receipts wer 
31,582.35; to-day, they will aggregate fully $3,200. From the pony mail of 1S40, there ar 
to day three daily mails from Milwaukee and Chicago, one from Cambridge and a tri-weekl 
mail from Hebron and Cold Springs. The money-order business was established in 1867, ani 
is weekly increasing. 

From January 1, 1878, to January 1, 1879, there was received from the sale of stamp! 
envelopes, etc., the sum of $2,763.91 ; from other sources, $356.18. There were 276 registere 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 517 

ettors sent and 382 received; money orders amounting to ^25,071.76 issued and money orders 
)aid aggregating $17,498.49. The annual salary is $1,400. 

CHURCHES. 

Methodist Church. — The nucleus of the present Methodist Episcopal Church of Fort Atkin- 
on was a class organized in 1840, at the residence of Jesse Roberts, north of the village, con- 
isting of the following persons : Jesse Roberts and wife, F. J. Roberts and wife, Mr. and Mrs. 
Vdams, Mr. and Mrs. Carter, and Mr. and Mrs. Wade with their two daughters. The preach- 
ng was sometimes at Mrs. Robert's house, but more generally in the village at private houses, 
iccasionally in a cooper-shop and subsefjuently in tlje schoolhouse. The diocese was origin- 
dly an appointment on the old Aztalan Circuit, which was organized in 1837, then within the 
Uinois Circuit. 

The first ministers were the Rev. Samuel Pillsbury and Jesse Halstead. 

In 1852, the congregation erected a church, and, in 1854, Fort Atkinson becamea separate 
iharge, and has so remained from that date, the congregation worshiping in their own church 
m South Main street. 

The following have served the station and circuit as Pastors: Circuit — Revs. H. W. Frink, 
1839; John Hodges, 1841 ; C. G. Lathrop, 1842; Stephen Jones, 1843; Asa Wood, 1844; C. 
I. Wager and S. B. AVhipple. 1845; William Millard, 1846; S. W. Martin, 1848; J. Pearsall, 
L850 ; S. L. Brown and R. Moffatt, 1851 ; M. Bennett and P. B. Pease, 1852. Station— Revs. 
D. 0. Hollister, 1851; R. Blackburn, 1855; Milton Rowley. 1856; J. Cushing, 1857; E. P. 
Beecher, 1858 ; H. Frink. 1859 ; J. Howard, 1860; R. 0. Kellogg, 1862 ; D. 6. Jones, 1865 ; 
5. Smith, 1807; W. W. Warner, 1870; S. C. Thomas, 1872; H. Colman, D. D., 1874, and 
P. B. Pease, present incumbent. 

The present Trustees are E. P. Hull, U. A. Porter, 0. Wigdale, J. Loxley, G. J. Kirk- 
and, H. W. Simonds, G. Pounder and R. S. Gates. 

Stewards — J. Loxley, J. W. Hatch, G. J. Kirkland, J. R. Steenson, G. Prestige, E. P. Hull, 
J. Hutchins, W. Westcott and N. D. Carey. 

Chorister, C. Larned ; Organist, Miss Ida May Clapp. 

The Sunday school has an average attendance of 180 pupils. 

The church is a neat and commodious building, well furnished, supplied with a pedal-baT<e 
Estey organ, a clear-toned bell and. is valued at $5,000. 

The living is reported at $1,000. 

The Congregational Church. — This, the oldest religious organization in the city, was first 
jonvened at the residence of Phineas F. Morrison on the 2d of October, 1841. One week there- 
ifter a meeting was held at the residence of Milo Jones, when the organization was perfected 
ind the following enrolled as members: Phineas F. Morrison, Laura Morrison, Lucy Mor- 
•ison, Charles Rockwell, Caroline Barrie, John Brown, Margaret Brown, Nancy M. Barron, 
Caroline Veeder, Susan Prichard, Semantha West, Sally Jones, Asa F. Snell and Louisa 
Snell. 

The first regular minister of the faith to officiate was the Rev. William Arms, who remained 
mtil September, 1842, after which the Rev. Daniel Smith preached once a fortnight for a year, 
ind was foUowed by the Rev. 0. P. Clinton, who served one year also. The Revs. Arms and 
Smith divided their labors with the Church at Aztalan. 

On November 1, 1844. the Rev. Mr. Montague accepted a call to the Church which, up to 
;hat time as stated, had been held in private residences. Thereafter, and until 1852, the village 
ichoolliouse was their place of worship. 

In 1851. the Rev. S. S. Bicknell supplied the Church one year, when the Rev. Mr. Mon- 
;ague returned and was retained until October 2, 1854. During his administration, the first 
jhurch edifice, an ordinary frame 36x47, with a capacity for seating about three hundred per- 
sons and costing $3,000, was completed and occupied. 



518 HISTORY OF JEFFEKSOX COUMTY. 

The Rev. 0. S. Powell was the next incumbent, coming in November, 1854, but dying ii 
July following. On September 2, of the same year, the Rev. D. C. Curtis was chosen minister 
and served eiglit years, being followed by the Rev. Mv. Blanchard, who filled the pulpit unti 
September 80. 1864, when the Rev. W. C. Scofield was called. The Rev. C. Caverno otriciate( 
during the winter of 1805-06. 

In March, 1800, the present commodious church on Milwaukee street wiis completed an( 
dedicated, ready for occupation, and has since been used for religious worship by the sect. I 
is built of frame, 43x67, with a lecture-room addition 38.\20. The main room is neatb 
furnished, has capacity for a congregation of 400, and co.st ST, 000. 

The present value of the church property is stated by one of the Church officers to b( 
about ^5,000. Since the resignation of E. J. Montague, the Church has been without a Pastor 

The German M. E. Society was organized in 1841), by Rev. P. Salk, with the following 
charter members: George Schneider, Sr., Christina Schneider, Sr., Christina Schneider 
Sophia Schneider, Jacob Huppert, Sr., Jacob Huppert, Jr., B. Huppert, Sophia Huppert 
Christina Huppert, Susanna Huppert, M. Weyer, Anna Weyer and J. Hertel. For upwarc 
of nine years, the little band struggled along, meeting in a schoolhouse distant about threi 
miles from the fort, and again in private houses, whose owners were sufficiently interested t( 
place them at their disposal. At the expiration of that time, viz., in 1858, the members 
whose numbers had been largely re-enforced, built the present church, at a cost of §1,225 
the lot upon which it stands costing §125. It is a frame building, and will seat about two hun 
drcd persons. Following is a list of the Pastors from the date of the organization to the present 
time : 

During 1848-50, Rev. P. Salk ; 1850-55, Rev. C. Berraenter ; 1855-56, Rev. C. Buch 
ncr ; 1856-57, Rev. J. Haas ; 1857-58, Rev. George Haas ; 1858-59, Rev. H. Eberhardt 
1859-60, Rev. F. W. Conrad ; 1800-62, Rev. J. Dal : 1862-63, Rev. H. Wagner : 1863-64 
Rev. H. Oberbeck; 1864-00, Rev. F. Fustkam ; 1800-67. Rev. K. Stelner; 1867-69, Rev. 
J. J. Sandrneier ; 1809-71. Rev. N. Eifler ; 1871-72, Rev. J. Breiner: 1872-73, Rev. P 
Schaefer; 1873-70, Rev. A. Meisner; 1870-78, Rev. C. A. Roehl ; 187S-79. Rev. J. Berger, 
present incumbent. The present valuation of the church property is about §2,200. 

Universalisit Church. — The nucleus of this body was formed on February 11. 1866, undei 
the style and title of the First Liberal Christian Society of Fort Atkinson, the members consti- 
tuting it being as follows : A. Winslow, F. Anderson, W. M. Smith, Carlos Curtis, Leandei 
Goosselin, Nancy Bartholomew, M. M. Winslow, C. A. Curtis, M. J. Frissell, P. Frisseli, L. A. 
Bartholamew, A. J. Baldwin, E. P. Mav, 0. S. Cornish. D. S. Damuth, G. F. Whitfield, J, 
D. Ciapp, A. C. May, W. C. Casler, R. C. Dodge, E. Frissell, Catherine Barnes and C. Smith, 

The Society was the result of a combination between the Unitarians and Universalists, 
and although they elected Trustees, viz., 0. S. Cornish, Carlos Curtis and Leander Goosselin, 
with the intention of making it permanent, the Society does not appear to have lasted more 
than one year, as upon the record under date of March 3, 1807, appears the notice of a meet- 
ing whereat was formed the Universalist Society, witli seventy-nine members. This organiza- 
tion is still in existence^ and plays a very important part in the well-ordering of society. Out 
of this grew the Church which was organized on April 2, 1869, with the following charter 
members: Albert Winslow, L. Goosselin, R. C. Dodge, Mrs. M. I. Roberts, Mrs. R. A. Holmes, 
J. P. Curtis, Mrs. Betsy Dodge, S. A. Rice, Mrs. liaura Rice, Mrs. Sophia Benson, Mrs. 
Mary M. Winslow. Mrs. Celinda A. Curtis. Miss Effie Avery and Mrs. Hannah Foster. The 
church was built in 1S68, by the Societj', but at what cost or by whom the services were con- 
ducted, does not appear upon tlie records, which have been very irregularly kept. Added to 
this is a lack of memory on the part of persons who should know all about it, and a disinclina- 
tion to trouble themselves on the part of others, so that we must be held blameless in the 
premises. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 519 



• EVERGREEN CEMETERY. 

In the early days of Fort Atkinson, the few burials that took place were made at a point 
on Section 3, a short distance up the river, on a hill, from the corner of which the city and 
surrounding country for miles around were distinctly visible. In these grounds, consecrated to 
the occupation of those of the pioneers who wen-t before to be seen no more forever, the burial 
of Edward Foster on the 13th of October. 1837, was the first; William Prichard was buried 
two years later, and, with one other, was all that were therein interred. When the spot 
now known as Evergreen Cemetery was first utilized as a burying-ground, their bodies were 
removed to that locality, where they now sleep in sanctified repose. 

In 1842, a cemetery was established on ground west of the city donated by Milo Jones, in 
which a sister of Philetus West was among the first burials, followed by that of Betsey Crane. 
On or about September 12, 1846, another cemetery was opened in the immediate vicinity, in 
which that of Olive, the wife of Thomas Crane, was among the first interments. 

On the 24th of May, 1866, a meeting w;R hehj for the purpose of organizing a cemetery 
association and procuring the purchase of seventeen acres of ground on tlie Janesville road, 
about one mile from the city, in a southerly direction. No action was decided upon at that 
meeting, but, subsequently, Daniel Holmes, E. P. May, G. P. Marston, L. B. Caswell, J. D. 
Clapp, Milo Jones, Stephen Davis and C. Brigham purchased the property to be adapted to the 
uses contemplated. In the mean time, the organization of Evergreen Cemetery Association was 
perfected. Since the land was first oft'ered, about forty lots have been taken up by purchasers, 
in which from seventy-five to one hundred interments have been made. 

The Evergreen Association was organized at a meeting held on Saturday evening, January 
24, 1863, attended by many prominent citizens, including Jared Ailing, Milton Snell, Jesse 
Dodge, W. J. Barrie, Rufus Dodge, S. A. Rice, B. Roberts, Newton Snell, F. J. Roberts, 
William Avery, John and William Strong, W. W. Snell and B. Rhodes. Jared Ailing pre- 
sided and M. Snell ofiiciatcd as Secretary, and the object accomplished, as set forth in the con- 
stitution adopted, was the formation of an association for the purpose of procuring lands to be 
used exclusively for cemetery purposes. Jesse Dodge was elected President of the Association; 
Milton Snell, Secretary, and S. A. Rice, Treasurer, with Rufus Dodge, Newton Snell, W. J. 
Barrie, Milton Snell, Jesse Dodge and S. A. Rice as Board of Trustees. 

Land was procured at various times from Jesse Dodge, Perry H. Smith, Thomas Barrie, 
Newton Snell, Levi Tooker, J. W. Hatch, Frederick Bolt and others until the Association now 
awns about twenty-five acres about three-quarters of a mile from the city's center, beautifully 
located, the grounds handsomely laid out, planted with flowers and trees and decorated with 
tombs and monuments of elaborate design and exquisite finish. No city in the State possesses 
a more attractive place of sepulture for its dead, nor is there a cemetery in the Northwest upon 
which care and attention are more lavishly expended than upon that within sight of the city by 
the lake. 



THE TOWN^ OF SULLIVAN. 

This section of Jefferson County affords some interesting and important history. In size 
md topography it is not unlike other towns, containing an area of thirty-six square miles of 
land, of a rolling or undulating nature, well ada])ted to agriculture. Nearly one-half of the 
town is yet in a primitive state. Extensive forests of ash, oak, maple, basswood and tamarack 
ire still in existence, anl will furnish material for the woodman's axe for generations to come. 

There are four post offices in the town, viz.: Rome, Erfurt, Sullivan and Oak Hill. Rome 
is an unincorporated village of about three hundred inhabitants, beautifully situated on Bark, 
River, in Section 17. It was laid out and recorded by Ambrose Seely on the 9th of September, 



520 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

1848, and contains an area of 7,000 square rods. It ia under town government, its populatioi 
not.being numerous enough to entitle it to corporate privileges. Mr. H. D. Sprague, one of th 
oldest iiiliabitants, settled in Rome in January, 1846. He puichased a lot three rods wide b; 
six in length, upon which stood a log cabin, built by Peter Knochker. The population at tha 
date is given as follows : D. Secly, wife and two children : Davis Scely, wife and two children 
Joseph Hibbard. wife and two children : AVilliam Arms and mother ; Sandford Burdick, wif 
and four children : Peter Knochker, wife and three children. Mr. Davis Seely had thre 
children, but one of them, a boy, was killed a mile and a half from Rome, when the family wa 
moving in. A leaning tree, beneath which the teamster drove, crushed the unfortunate child' 
head against a box in the wagon. Schools, churches and mills were soon established, and Rom 
has ever since been made to '' howl '' with the ceaseless noise of progress. The first school wa 
taught by Cynthia Moulthrop, now Mrs. Cusiiman. The young idea was taught to shoot withii 
the confines of a diminutive log hT)use, built in 1846 for educational purposes. There are noA 
two public schoolhouses, with bells and belfrys. Mr. Sprague has been identified with ever 
effort to nurture the tree of knowledge in Rome. 

The first church services were held in the house of Joseph Hibbard in the fall of 1846. b; 
a Methodist divi\ie named Hiram Frinck. The log schoolhouse was subse((uently used for relig 
ious purposes until 1859, when a commodious church edifice was erected by the Methodista 
Among the ministers of this denomination who have preached in Rome may be mentioned th 
Revs. Fox, Latin, MofBt and Lawton. The next religious organization was that of the Free 
Will Baptists, which took place in 1854, with the Rev. John G. Hull as Pastor, Elder Parkin 
and Phincas Jai|uith following successively in the charge. In 1873, the society reared a churcl 
edifice. Mr. Hull has been recalled. In 1864, the German Methodists ciTected an organiza 
tion, and in 186!l built a church. The society is included in the Whitewater Circuit. In 185'J 
the Bible Christians formed a society and purchased a church site, but soon afterward relin 
((uished 'their efforts to form a permanent organization. 

In 1842, Myron Smith and S. D. Tenny built a saw-mill and dam on Bark River. Th 
mill was soon afterward destroyed by fire; but the demand for building material promptei 
Charles De Witt to immediately rear a similar concern upon the smoldering debris of th 
original. After long years of useful service, the De Witt Mill was torn away, and, in 1853, i 
grist-mill was erected upon the site by Thomas Hooper. The property subsequently passed t 
the hands of the Notebohm Brothers, and, in 1864, it was replaced by a new structure am 
improved machinery. Messrs. Ponburg & Foljahn are the proprietors. In 1847. Ambros 
Seely built a saw-raiil on the dam. The successive proprietors of this institution were Spragu 
& Foss, A. Seely, H. M. Dibble & Brothers. J. J. Kent and D. Force. Mr. Kent agaii 
obtained control of the property and is its present owner, having added machinery for th 
manufacture of feed and cider. In 1848, David Seely built a turning-shop, and, after a fex 
years of successful operation, it was destroyed by fire. Then Moulthrop i.*i: Dibble reared ; 
similar concern near the site of the old one. This was also burned. David Force was the nex 
enterprising individual to make a venture in this direction. To the present time, his shop ha 
escaped the devouring elements. 

A post office was established at Rome in 1848, Aaron J. Ball being the first Po.stmaster 
His successors have been Orceraus Bramon. Smith Tubbs, H. M. Dibble, William Lyman am 
Eugene Shakshesky. W. H. Sprague is Mr. Shakshesky's Deputy. Postmaster Tubbs wa 
the first to locate it in a place of security. Prior to that time, the mail-pouch was dropped b; 
the carrier at the side of the road a short distance north of the village, the changes being mad 
beneath the shades of an oak. 

The first hotel in Rome was built in 1848 by Silas Sears. It stood on the site and was i 
part of the Rome Exchange, and was known by the very suggestive and alliterative name o 
" Live and Let Live.." Peter Tubbs. Henry Horndon, Gilbert Allen, John Anthony and Johi 
Smith have been the proprietors. Smith died in 1867, and his widow now does the honors. ^ 
few years ago, George Ungermyre built a large structure for the purposes of a hotel, but th 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUXTY. 521 

business did not warrant its success. The property is now owned by Mrs. K. L. Piper, of 
Watertown. The upper portion has been converted to the uses of the Good Templars and Odd 
Fellows. 

Among the leading and most prominent persons in Rome may be mentioned the following : 
Eugene Shakshesky, merchant ; L. Shakshesky and John Treidel, merchants : George Bick. 
merchant ; John Koche. merchant : Cartwright & Lippert. cheese-factory ; H. D. Sprague. 
blacksmith and .Justice of the Peace; Kinion Meeller, harness; Miss Emma Sprague, milliner; 
Mrs. Rothel, milliner; J. J. Daniels, boot and shoe maker; C. J. Collier. ex-County Superin- 
tendent of Schools ; C. Wheeler, the inventor of a machine that will make a rope any length in 
a room' tep feet square, spinning from the raw^ material ; John Walsh, school-teacher ; M. 
Rothel. brickmaker ; W. Stone, blacksmith ; Jacob Lambrich, blacksmith ; William McCann, 
carpenter and Justice of the Peace; Henry Landgraf, wagon-maker; George Smith, wagon- 
maker. 

The first post office established in what is now the town of Sullivan was Oak Hill, more 
famili.Trly known to the early settlers as " Pumpkin Hollow.'' The Postmasters have been 
Charles De Witt, Norton Blackmer, Austin Longley and William Webster. Almond Steele. 
David Waite, David Piatt and Seth Dustin were among the early settlers at Oak Hill. At 
present, the place consists of a cheese-factory, a sorghum-mill, two blacksmith-shops and one 
store. It is located in Section 34. 

Erfurt Post Office, in Section 14, dates back to pioneer days. Rudolph Shuber has held 
the office of Postmaster since its establishment by the Postmaster General. There is a grist- 
mill at Erfurt, built in 1845, by William Warren as a saw-mill, and afterward converted into a 
flouring-mill by John Heath ; also a store, a blacksmith-shop and a cider-mill. Bark River fur- 
nishes an excellent water-power. 

In 18.50. Sullivan Post Office, in Section 29, was established. James Riddle being the first, 
and William Riddle the present. Postmaster. Welcome Henry, Ruben Terwilliger, John Nut- 
ter, H. D. Sprague, Nelson Hubbell and James Riddle were among the earlier settlers in that 
vicinity. James Riddle died during the presidency'of the lamented Lincoln. When he voted 
at the Presidential election of 1860, he was heard to say: "I have always been a Democrat, 
but I begin to realize my mistake ; and, as I know I shall not live much longer, I shall try to 
wipe out my political sins by voting for Abraham Lincoln ; then I can die in peace." 

The first election for officers in the town of Sullivan was held in the spring of 1846, at 
the house of John Nutter, in the eastern portion of the town, near what is noAv Sullivan Post 
Office. That section of the town was then known as " Hardscrabble " among the old settlers. 
At that election, Charles De Witt was chosen Treasurer, and Myron Smith, Clerk. There 
were also elected three Supervisors, four Justices of the Peace, one Assessor, three Road Com- 
missioners, three Constables, three Fence Viewers and one Sealer of Weights and Measures. 

School District No. 8, town of Sullivan, has a war record that will compare favorably with 
any place of equal population in the Union. Eighty-three soldiers enlisted in the cause of the 
preservation of free institutions ; and, what is more remarkable, but one of this number was 
killeil, while four died of disease. Gen. Henry Harnden, now a revenue officer at Madison, 
while a resident of Rome, enlisted as a private in the First Wisconsin Cavalry, and was rap- 
idly promoted. While filling the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he was sent in pursuit of Jeft" 
Davis, and, but for the unofficerlike conduct of Col. Pritchard, of the Fourth Michigan Cav- 
airy, would have captured the arch-traitor, petticoats and all. 

A TKRRIBLE EXPERIENCE, 

In the quiet village of Rome lives an aged lady, athwart whose path of life has fallen a 
multitude of sorrows. Every one knows "Aunt Betsy" Sears. She is sixty-four years of 
age. and lives alone in a neat little room, over the door of which, on the outside, is this sign : 
"Job Printer." In one corner of the room are three or four cases of type, each letter standing 



522 HISTORY OF JEFFEIISOX COIXTY. 

on end. "Aunt Betsy" has never "le;iincd the boxes," as types are ordinarily "laid," bu 

has a system of her own, as unique as it is original. She never saw any one '• set type,' 

and does not even know tlie advantage of using a "rule." Nevertheless she has inanagcc 

to acquire a sufficient knowledge of the art of printing to enable her to "print a job witl 

neatness and dispatch," and she frequently has card and circular work to perform for tin 

business men of Rome. She " empties her stick" by sliding the type from the open por 

tion of tliat instrument upon a piece of tin, from which it is transferred to a wooden bo; 

half an inch deep, and then "keyed up," as she expresses it. The ink is then applie( 

with a "braver" almost as old as "Aunt Betsy" herself; a leather "platen" is placed upoi 

the "form" and an eighteen-pound roller passed over it, and the impression is thus taken 

Following is a verbatim copv of "Aunt Betsy's" business card, written and printed by her 

self: 

MRS . B- M . SE.\RS . 

JOB PRINTER - 



JEFFERSON STREET , ROME . WIS . 



To the norlh the fitili door 

From FmnK Giffonls store , 

You will find the old lady is living , 

.\11 alone by herself , 

For the sake of the pelf ^ 

Attention to business she's giving . 

Some years ago, Mrs. Sears wrote an account of the trials and tribulations experienced b; 
herself and family when they came to Wisconsin. It is a true picture of pioneer life, vividl; 
portrayed, and full of the sad impressions that only can be wrought upon the minds of ihos 
who braved the dangers and trials of early days and suffered the adversities that beset the pionee 
in almost every clime. The extensive length of the paper will not admit of its publication ii 
its entireity in these already overcrowded pages, but the most essential parts are given : 

On the 22d of October, 1843, we left our former home in the town of Camden, County of Oneida, State of Ne' 
York, with our four little children, to go to the Far West. Arriving at Buffalo, we found thai no vessel was goin 
through to Milwaukee short of three or four days, but the " .lulia I'almer" was about to sail for Detroit, and w 
were induced to take passage upon her. We were told that we would find plenty of boats at Detroit that would tak 
us through to Milwaukee, but when we arrived at the Michigan metropolis, we found it necessary to wait for tli 
same vessels we left at Buffalo, and when they came they were so heavily loaded they could not take us on l>oarc 
and it was the htst trip they were going to make, .\fter remaining in Detroit five days, at a cost of §10, there cam 
a man to the tavern with a team and double wagon without any cover on it. He w:is accompanied by his wife, an 
ihey were going to .Milwaukee. They agreed to take our family through for ?2il, we to bear our own expenses; s< 
on the 3d of November, we set out upon a journey in an open wagon, for which we were little prepared. Th 
ground had frozen very hard the night before, and upon it had fallen about four inches of snow. For two weeki 
we had very severe weather, when it moderated and the ground and snow thawed together; then it was nothin 
but mud. Thus we traveled around Lake .Michigan through snow and mud and rain and shine, until we reache 
Racine. There we heard that the smallpox prevailed in Milwaukee, anil so we hired the man to take us across Ih 
country to Prairieville (now Waukesha). I had two brothers living at Cienesee, in that direction ; hut when we g< 
within three miles of their place we heard that they also had the sni.allpox in both families, and had each lost 
child 'with it. There we were, worn out with fatigue, and my little children sick from the lime we first put fool o 
ihe steamboat at Bufl'alo ; lotking forward to an hour of rest, the society of friends and a temporary home ; then i 
a uiomenl to have our hopes dashed to earth — it was too much. It seemed as though I must sink down and die. W 
had then traveled eighteen days, and I had carrie<l my little babe, twenty-two months old, almost all the way in m 
lap : for it was so cold I had to keep her under my cloak. The youngest of our three litlle boys was very ill, requi) 
ing the constant attention of his father, who frequently stoppeil by the roadside with him, and was then compelle 
to run to overtake the wagon : for our teamster displayeil his kindness by refHsing to slop for anything or anybod; 
When we stopped at night, instead of rest I had to cook our suppers, for it would have cost us all we had to live i 
ihe taverns. 

When we heard the terrible news of my broihers' misfortunes, we stopped at a house on the road and had oi 
children vaccinated. We remained over night in the house with a very kind family. I shall never forget how I fe 
when the good mother spread a warm biscuit with butler and divided it among my half-starved children. It brougl 
the tears of joy to my eyes. It was the first morsel, except one, that they had received without money, in five week; 



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^\ 



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HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 525 

In the morning, my husband set out for my brothers' homes, but before reaching there he met one of them going to 
Prairieville. They were overjoyed to learn of our safe arrival. They had expected us three weeks before, but, not 
having any intelligence of us, had given us up for lost, and believed we were drowued while crossing the lake. My 
brother said there was no danger of our taking the smallpox, as they were well of it, and had thorouglily disinfected 
their houses. So we went home with him, but it seemed to me as if I was carrying my children to the grave. When 
we arrived, we found that his wife was nursing a lady with the disease, and therefore we were right in the midst of 
it. Within nine days, I was taken with the varioloid ; two days later, my little girl was taken sick, and the next 
day our youngest boy took his bed with the terrible disease The day before I was taken, my husband started off to 
look for a farm, and, as he remained away longer than we expected he would, we liegan to feel uneasy about him. 
When we started from Detroit, we gave orders to have our goods sent on to Milwaukee on a schooner, but up to the 
time we were taken down with the smallpox we had not heard anything from them. Never before nor since have I 
experienced such feelings of sorrow and misery. Three of us sick with a dreadful disease, my husband absent, I 
knew not where, and every indication that our meager stock of clothing and bedding had been lost on the lake. 
While I lay groaning in my utter wretchedness, this thought occurred to my mind : 

•* The darkest time, I have heard them eay, 
Is just before the break of day." 

I Stopped weeping and began to hope. Thought I, it may be that my husband is safe ; the children are not 
dead yet, and, possibly, some lucky wave may waft our goods ashore. That day, my husband came home ; the 
children began to appear better, and my brother came from Milwaukee and said he had found our goods, and that 
they were ou the way home. I began to take courage and think that all would yet be well. But alas ! how soon 
are blooming hopes cut off. On Wednesday, my husband came home full of bright prospects. He had found a good 
location, and had stayed and put up a house, calculating to move his family into it the next Monday, little dream- 
ing of what a situation we were in at home. When he came, there we were in a pile, three of us in one bed, and 
nine of us in a little shanty 12x14 feet in size. Our two sick children looked so loathsome we could scarcely bear 
the sight of them. The next day, they grew worse, and on Sunday, at 11 o'clock, the little gir^ died ; on Monday, 
at 12 o'clock, her little brother followed her. It had always seemed to me that, if I should ever lose a child, I could 
never let it go out of my arms ; but now two of my loves were dead, and what mother cannot imagine my feelings 
when I looked upon their innocent faces, covered with the repulsive marks of a terrible disease? They must be 
hurried into the ground as quick as possible, and I not able to see them buried. But God strengthened my almost 
exhausted endurance, and I became resigned to my fate. I believe He is too wise to be mistaken, too good to be 
unkind. 

Two weeks from the day my little boy died, we started, in company with the family of my brother, Davia 
Seely, for Bark Woods. By some means, tlie teams took different roads, and we became separated. Our team came . 
through Waterville, while my brother's went through the bluffs. 1 was very feeble from my recent sickness, and 
everything seemed to conspire against us as we wended our way through the woods, with no guide save now and then 
a freshly-marked tree. At the end of the second day, we reached our destination ; but what had become of my 
brother and his family ? This annoyed us very much all night. The next morning, we saw Davis coming slowly 
through the woods, but the woful look upon his face told us plainer than words that something terrible had hap- 
pened. His little four-year-old boy had been killed the day before by a leaning tree under %vhich the teamster drove. 
We thought that our cup of sorrow was already full, but now it was running over. Picture to yourself a family of 
weary emigrants, looking forward with eager eyes and longing hearts to the time when they should reach their final 
destination, and be shebered from the chilling rain that was descending in torrents upon them, and urging forward 
their jaded beasts as fast as their weary limbs and the roughness of the ground would permit. Suddenly there is a 
crash. Oh 1 what a sound to the father's ears, when, from a distance in the rear, he sees it is the head of his son. 
He has seen the danger and hallooed to the teamster, but too late. He rushes forward and catches the lifeless body 
of his boy. " Oh ! Mr. De Jayne," he says, "you have killed my son ! You have killed my son 1 

Onward, through the mud and brush, he bore his bleeding child, in agony too great to give vent to tears. 
They found their way to a little shanty belonging to Mr. Tinney, and there watched and mourned the remainder of 
the night. * * * The next day, the funeral took place from Mr. Crowder's tavern. I believe it was 
the first meeting of any kind ever held in these woods. 

When we left my brother Dempster's, on the 1st of January, 1844, he calculated to come out in a few days and 
bring us .some provisions. Consequently, we did not fetch anything but a bag of flour and about a pound of butter 
that I put in my work-basket. But Dempster did not come for four weeks, and, during that time, we had very short 
allowances. We succeeded in getting three bushels of flat turnips, at 18 pence a bushel. This was all we could get 
for love or money. Potatoes, there we e none to be had, .and as for meat, I borrowed three pounds of pork of an 
old settler, and I used to cut two very small slices of it and fry them, and take a little flour and water and make a 
sort of paste or gravy with which to moisten our bread and turnips. I did not dare to cook bat two turnips apiece, 
and they were very small, and I did not dare to peel them before they were cooked, because it would be such a 
waste. So, with our two turnips and bread and paste we made our breakfast, and, with a little water porridge 
made of "middlings" and sweetened with black molasses, and very poor at that, and a slice of toasted bread, we 
made our dinner. For supper, we had stewed dried .apples and bread ; and sometimes, for a change, we ate our 
bread plain. This kind of fare lasted for four weeks, when my brother came and brought us some flour, a 
" porker" that weighed 160 pounds, and forty pounds of butter that we brought with us from York State. Then we 
had something to eat. 

When we arrived at Mr. Crowder's, we had but $20. Our shanty had neither floor nor windows ; so we were 
obliged to stay at the tavern till our bill amounted to S3 ; then we had SIT to live upon the rest of the year. By 
the last of May, we were eating our last bushel of flour. My husband had cleared a small piece of land, and he 



526 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COr^'TY. 

could not leave it to go out to work to get somelliing to eat, for he must plant it or go without another year. One 
night, my brother came to our house on his way to Genesee. I could not sleep that night for thinking of our miser- 
able situation. In the morniag. I rememt)ered, when we moved in, we passed a house about two miles beyond 
Walerville where I saw eighteen hogs' plucks hanging up. It occurred to me that, if they had so many hog.*, they 
must have something else. So I told my husband that I was going to run away. He asked me where I was going, 
but I told him I could not tell him where ; I was going to seek my fortune. I filled my satchel with a few articles 
of my own manufacture, and started with my brother toward Genesee. We were all day going fourteen miles. The 
musquitoes were so thick that we could not breathe without inhaling them, unless we had something over our faces. 
We got out at Mr. Davenport's (for that was where I saw the hogs' plucks) just about sundown. They gave us some 
supper, and my brother went on. I told Mrs. Davenport I would like to stay all night with them, but she said she 
did not see how she could keep me. I told her I would sleep any place, if she would only let me stay, ami she finally 
consented to do so. She made a bed on the floor for one of her little girls, and I was assigned a place with her sister, 
who, during the night, probably taking me for an intruder, turned her heel battery upon me with such ferocity that I 
was compelled to retreat as far as the limits of the bed would permit, and there lay motionless for fear of another 
attack. In the morning, I began to press my suit, having laid my case before them the night before. I told them 
that we had just moved into the woods : that our money was all gone; our provisions were nearly exhausted, and we 
had no means of procuring any more : that I had come out there in search of something to do that I might earn some 
flour. Mrs. Davenport said she had no work for me lo do, but told me of several in the neighborhood who hired 
their sewing done. Then I exhibited the arlicles I had in my satchel — knit caps, knit edging, and some white 
painted standcloths. When she saw the edging, she said that was just the thing she wanted, for she had just bought 
a damask linen table-cloth, and wanted that to trim it with. I sold her fourteen yards of the lace andone of the 
standcloths, for S3. 50. Wasn't I rich then ! 1 felt wealthier than ever before. I was fourteen miles from home, 
and expected to go all the way on foot ; but I felt so much lighter that it was a pleasure to walk. I traveled about 
six miles that day, and called at every house I came to in search of work, but none could I find. Night overtook 
me at the house of a family named Cobb, and there I remained until the following afternoon, when Mr. Cobb took 
me in his wagon to the house of Mr. Churchill, where I stayed all night. In the morning, I explained my business, 
and told of my success at Mrs. Davenport's. Mr. Churchill said he was going to .Jefferson in a few days, and would 
get me some wheal, have it ground and bring the flour to us. I told him I had a new pair of boots I brought from 
Viirk Stale wilh me, that were too small, and that I would let him have them fur his wife to pay him for his trouble. 
That was just the thing he wanted ; so, when I got ready to go, he sent his brother with a team to take me home. 
You may be sure there was joy in the camp when I got back and reported what 1 had done. In a day or two, Mr. 
Churchill came along, going to .Jefferson, and took my money (which amounted to $4, as I had 4 shillings a man 
gave me for mending his coat). We had one bushel of wheat that we intended to sow, but the season was so far 
advanced we thought best not to waste it in that way. With the $4 we got eight bushels of beautiful winter wheat 
ground and fetched to our door (and the one we had made nine bushels), all paid for, and Mr. Churchill allowed us 
a shillings in cash to boot on the boots. This lasted till almost harvest, and Mr. Churchill gave us an order for a 
barrel of flour at .Jefferson, and that held out till corn was ripe, and then we had johnny-cake of our own 
raising. ****»»* 

The following spring, I painted a table-cloth for Mrs. Davenport, for which she paid me $1, and on my way 
home I met a man [Mr. Sawyer, of the Sawyer House, Jefferson] who had some hams to sell, and with my dollar I 
bought a small one, which lasted us til! summer, for I did not dare to cook a piece of it unless a traveler came along 
and wanted to buy a meal. When the ham gave out, we had 40 cents, all in cash, and my husband took it and went 
to Melinda's I'rairie, and bought five pounds of pork. 

The first cow we had cost us SH- The man from whom we bought her owed us $'i, and I sold my shawl and a 
fine large pair of tailor's shears to finish paying for her. The first pig we had cost us $1. It was about the size of 
a cat, and my husband carried it in a bag from Golden Lake, a distance of eight miles. 

In September, 1S4.5, our second son, ten years old, took a very severe cold and almost choked to dealh before we 
could reach a doctor with him. The nearest physician lived at Golden Lake, and when we got there with our dying 
child he was away. Returning the next day, he said he could do nothing for him, and at 9 o'clock the little sufi'erer 
passed away. My heart, still bleeding from my former bereavement, was now torn open afresh. I thought the past 
was nothing compared wilh this ; for it seemed my affections had been doubly entwined about our two boys after the 
others had been snatched from us. An awful task now lay before us ; we must return to our friends with our dead 
boy. The doctor's daughter and her husband returned wilh us and remained till after the funeral. Two or three 
weeks later, my husband was taken wilh the ague, and was not able to do a day's work for three months. The only 
Son who had been spared to me and myself had to harvest the corn and draw in the potatoes and turnips and pre- 
pare our winter's wood. Oa the :i9lh of November, 1840, a little Badger boy, weighing eleven pounds, came to our 
fireside. 

Before I close this narrative, I will give you a little sketch of the commencement of religious meetings in these 
woods. Wiien we moved in, there was a man and his wife here who were professors of religion. My brother Davis, 
my husband and myself completed the little band of five. We began our prayer-meetings soon after we arrived, and 
have kept them up pretty much ever since. The first sermon that was ever preached in this place [the town of Sul- 
livan] was by Brother Allen, a Methodist colporteur, at our house. The first regular preacher we had was Hiram 
Frinck, and the first quarterly meeting was held in my brother's saw-mill. 

Tour friend and well-wisher, Betsy M. Seabs. 



HISTORY OF JEFFEESON COUNTY. 527 



TOWN OF FARMINGTON. 



There is no positive knowledge of an earlier settlement in what is now the town of Farm- 
ington, than that made by Timothy Johnson in 1838, two years after he had located at Watertown. 
Charles Dunning settled at an early day in the eastern portion of Farmington, and is said by 
some to have built the first log house in the town. Johnson and Charles Goodhue made a joint 
claim where the pretentious village of Johnson's Creek now stands, and built a cabin on ground 
over which the track of the North-Western Railway now runs, and nearly opposite the present 
residence of G. C. Mansfield. A dam and saw-mill were also built by Messrs. Johnson and 
Goodhue. This mill property afterward came into the possession, at various times, of the follow- 
ing individuals : Samuel Ward, a Mr. Thomas, Ansel Bullis, Mr. Currier and Benjamin Douglass, 
the latter of whom rebuilt it. When Mr. and Mrs. Douglass came to Johnson's Creek in 1842, 
there were but two houses in the place, one being occupied by Samuel Ward, and the other by 
his nephew William. The nearest post office was Aztalan. Provisions were to be obtained at 
no nearer point than Janesville and Milwaukee. Mrs. D. remembers being obliged to send to 
the latter place for 2.5 cents' worth of thread. 

Johnson's Creek was known as Belleville as late as 1873, but always bore its present name 
as a post office. It was called Belleville in honor of Charles Bell, who owned a considerable 
portion of the land whereon the village stands. It is situated on the town line between the towns 
of Aztalan and Farmington, and was formerly on the old Military or Territorial Road. 

In 1861, there were at Johnson's Creek two stores (A. J. Snell's general merchandise and 
William Dodge's grocery) and two first-class stave-mills. One of these mills was the property 
of G. C. Mansfield, and stood on the site now occupied by his store ; the other was built and 
operated by John Rose, and was twice destroyed by fire. The stave manufacturing business 
was abandoned simultaneously by both in 1864. There was also a brick hotel, kept by Charles 
Bell, known as the Vermont House. A dozen other small habitations completed the village of 
Johnson's Creek. After the railroad was finished to this point in 1859, the place grew rapidly. 
There are now two large stores, two churches, three saloons, two blacksmith-shops, two shoe-shops, 
two wagon-shops, one agricultural implement dealer, one cheese-factory, one commission ware- 
house, with one run of stone for grinding feed, two hotels, one lumber-yard, one district school 
and one drug store. 

The first religious services were held in 1841, by Rev. Mr. Allen,aMethodistdivine, who walked 
from place to place through the woods and preached in the different log houses on his way. The 
Rev. Mr. Lathrop was the first circuit preacher. He was followed by Elders Willard and Pease. 
The " little red schoolhouse," until it was burned down, afforded a place for religious worship in 
later years, the Methodist and United Brethren alternating on Sabbath mornings and evenings. 
The Methodist minister was the Rev. Mr. Farnum, while the Rev. Mr. Hamilton, who, it will 
be remembered, was a great exhorter, furnished spiritual sustenance for the United Brethren. 
Mr. Hamilton was of ajockeyish disposition, and, after a brief period of preaching, he resumed 
his original profession, that of trading horses, in which he is said to have been an e.xpert. In 
1866, the two denominations commenced the construction of a joint or union church, but before 
it was completed the discovery was made that they could not worship beneath the same roof, and 
the Methodists accordingly withdrew from the compact and built a church edifice of their own. 
The spring of 1875 witnessed a suspension of Christian effort on the part of the United Breth- 
ren, and, in 1848, their church property was purchased by the German Methodists. 

The school district was first laid out in 1849. School was taught by Harriet Esselstein 
in the log residence of Alvin Wood, about a mile west of the creek. The place enjoys at the 
present time unsurpassed educational facilities, whose history is not unlike that pertaining to 
public schools everywhere. 



528 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

The first Postmaster at Johnson's Creek was Dr. Burgett. Charles Bell, Albert Bennett. 
Gerry Van Viet and G. C. Mansfield have been the Doctor's successors. Mr. Mansfield, the 
present Postmaster, was appointed in 18G5. July 1, 1878, it was made a fourth-rate money- 
order office, the first order being issued by John Siebert, in favor Charles L. Currier, for §8. 
Three orders were issued that day, one of them being Mr. Mansfield's subscription to the 
national campaign fund. The postage reveniie to the Government amounts to about $50 per 
quarter. 

The North-Western Railway reached Johnson's Creek in the fall of 1859. Among those 
who have held the office of agent may be mentioned Charles Bell, Charles Melio, G. C. Mansfield, 
Leander Gosselin, F. E. Bingham, James Clemmow and S. F. Antes. A branch office of the 
American Express Company was established at the creek in 1867, with G. C. Mansfield as 
atrent. He has held the position to the present time. A telegraph office was established in 
1878. 

Johnson's Creek lays claim to being second in importance as a stock-shipping point on the 
line of the North-Western road. G. C. Mansfield commenced the purchase of cattle, hogs, 
sheep, grain, etc., twelve years ago, and the business has increased beyond the most sanguine 
expectations of those interested. 

The Spring Brook Cheese Factory, also the property of Mr. Mansfield, is one of the features 
of the Creek. It was established in the spring of 1877. The annual consumption of milk 
amounts to over five hundred and fifty thousand pounds, and, in 1878, fifty-five thousand two 
hundred and fifty-seven pounds of cheese were manufactured. Shipments are made to Liverpool 
and New York. 

The first marriage of which there- is any record was that of Richard Rose to Elizabeth 
Pike. The ceremony was performed by Hiram Wheeler, Justice of the Peace, at the house of 
Mr. Wait. It is believed that Albert Rose was the first white child born in the town of Sulli- 
van. The first death was that of a stranger, who departed this life at the house of Mr. Rose. 
The next was that of old man Alger, whose son, it will be remembered, was murdered by May- 
berry, near Janesville, 1856. The first physician was Dr. Burgett. The Doctor also sold the 
first dry goods at the Creek. Nelson Reed sold the first sugar and liquor. 

In 1869, the Johnson's Creek Cemetery Association was incorporated, with G. C. Mans- 
field as President; John D. Bullock, Secretary; and H. C. McMillan, Treasurer. The officers 
are the same at the present time. 

Farmington Post Office, located in Section 13, consists of a grocery store, saw-mill, wagon- 
shop and cheese-factory. 

The town of Sullivan is rich in agricultural wealth and industrious citizens, the majority of 
whom are Germans. 

HelenviUe Post Office is situated in Sections 2 and <^, town of Jefferson. John Walther, 
Chr. Horn, " Old Man " Haag and Bernhard Keller were the principal early settlers in the 
vicinity of HelenviUe. The landed property in and about HelenviUe belongs to John Keller, 
Carl Bullwinkle, John George Stenge and George M. Haag. The first church was built of 
logs, and stood on the site of the present Lutheran Church. Rev. George Reinsch is the pres- 
ent Pastor. In 1850, a parochial school was organized in conjunction with the Church society, 
and it has grown to be a prosperous institution. Six years ago, a district school, under the 
public-school system, was established. There are three stores in HelenviUe, namely : Mrs. 
Weber's, established by Chr. Lory thirty years ago; Carl Bullwinkle's, established about the 
same time by his father ; and John L. Keller's, the leading institution of the kind in the ham-i 
let, established in 1873. John Moser and J. P. Schoeffel each carry on a blacksmith-shop. 

HelenviUe became a post office in 1845, the first Postmaster being 0. Bullwinkle. Hel 
died in 1873, and John L. Keller was appointed to the office. The people of HelenviUe confi- 
dently believe that their village will soon become a railway station ; and, doubtless, it will, if 
recent railway surveys mean anything. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 529 



PALMYRA. 

Forty years ago, the echoes of Cyrus Horton's ax broke the stillness of Nature's surround- 
ings in Section 22, Town 5 north. Range 16 east, and the tempestuous din of progress has ever 
since continued to ring out upon the life-ladened atmosphere of the Scupernong Valley. Mr. 
Horton's claim comprised the farm now occupied by Mr. Sherman. Dr. Causdale was the next 
settler in the vicinity, and he was followed, early in 1842, by that enterprising, but unfortunate 
genius, Abram Brink, whose accidental death, in 1848, cast a gloom over every household 
within the then sparsely settled backwoods region. Mr. Brinks was a resident of Cold Spring, 
where he settled in 18.38, and built a saw-mill on Whitewater Creek. He had heard of the 
advantageous prospects for a valuable water-site on the Scupernong, and he was there to see for 
himself. He lost no time in subjugating the stream to the uses of a mill-power, and was busily 
engaged upon the foundations of a structure for the manufacture of lumber, when a flattering 
offer for his title to a promising property, by David J. and Samuel R. Powers, induced him to 
sell and return to Cold Spring. The Messrs. Powers finished the mill, and on Christmas Day, 
1842, sawed their first lumber in these parts. The first frame building was erected by Mr. 
Horton, and, during the spring and summer of 1843, a wonderful impetus was given to the 
young settlement by the increase of population and the establishment of a store by Levi Powers 
and a tavern by William Mulks. In 1844, D. & S. Powers converted their saw-mill into a 
fiouring-mill, to the great satisfaction of all those who had had a surfeit of lumber but little 
flour. The subsequent proprietorship of this mill was as follows : Higgins & Washburn, Hig- 
gins & Graves, S. H. Vandercook, L. A. Biederstadt, G. Ray & Son, Ray & Fairchild, Ray & 
Holloway, Holloway & Horton, and Ritter & Horton. While it was the property of Higgins 
& Graves, in 1850, the dam gave way, letting in an immense volume of water upon the mill 
building, which was washed away. It was an unfortunate occurrence, keenly appreciated by 
the citizens of Palmyra, quite a number of whom witnessed the scene of devastation. But few 
of the old settlers who were present on that memorable occasion are left to relate the circum- 
stances. Some have moved away, others have gone to their eternal abode, but the All-powerful 
Hand, probably in anticipation of the advent of the historian, has spared to his fellow-men one 
individual. Prof. Ryder, who, while he lives, will never forget the terrible aff'air. The Professor 
is well known in the great scientific world as an accomplished student of botany, and a man of 
extensive observation and herbal research. No one who knows him will doubt the accuracy of 
his narrative of the bursting of the dam. He says : " I heard the roaring of the waters, and 
knew in a moment what was going on. With as little delay as possible, I prepared to go to the 
rescue of my hogs and chickens. [Prof. Ryder's chickens were wont to roost in the loft of the 
mill, while two fine shoats, also the property of the Professor, had taken up their abode on the 
lower floor of that structure ; hence, the Professor's anxiety when he heard the roaring of the 
waters.] Reaching the scene, I saw the mill moving slowly from its foundation, as the seething 
tide bore in upon it. Already the water had surrounded the building, and, as each moment 
passed, the stream grew wider ; but no time was to be lost. Springing from the crumbling 
earth beneath my feet, I landed safely upon the door-sill of the mill, which, by this time, was 
almost afloat. I heard the grunting of my shoats, and, making my way through the shafts 
and wheels, found them lazily reclining in a corner. They were very gentle, and had grown to 
be so fat that it seemed a misery for them to move. But they must be saved ; so, gathering one 
under each arm, I emerged from the swaying and creaking building, reaching the door to find an 
expanse of water twelve feet wide separating me from the land. With a single bound, I landed 
upon terra firma, and deposited my hogs beyond the reach of the engulfing flood. The next 
minute, I was in the loft of the mill among my chickens, where I found them serenely sleeping, 
utterly unconscious of the peril that awaited them. Taking a dozen and a half of the largest 



530 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

and finest of them, nine in each hand, I descended to the lower floor. The stream had almost 
doubled in width, but I leaped to the shore with my fowls and turned them loose on dry land, 
returning to the mill-loft again and again, until the last hen and rooster had been rescued. Yes, 
sir," said the Professor, with a concluding sigh, " that was an awful night." And it was. 

INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE. 

In the fall of 1843, John Fish surveyed and laid out the village in lots and blocks, but it 
was not until 1866 that Palmyra laid claim to sufficient population to entitle it to incorporation. 
The necessary legislation was secured, and Palmyra became one of the large number of prosper- 
ous villages in the Northwest. By reason of an error in the act, which provided for the incor- 
poration of Sections 26 and 27, instead of Section 22, the charter was dissolved, in 1872, but 
in 1874 a new one was granted by the Circuit Court. The original act of incorpoi'ation was 
approved April 4, 1866, and on the 15th of May following, the first election for village oflScers 
was held, with the annexed result : 

1866— President, Miles W. Coon. Trustees— S. B. Higgins, F. C. "Webb, R. J. Wash- 
burn and I. C. Thompson; Marshal, Miles Wilbur; Clerk, J. R. Crosby; Street Commissioner, 
James W. Benedict ; Fire Warden, S. M. Bigelow. 

1867 — President, Monroe McKenzie. Trustees — Miles Wilbur, E. W. Brush, George W. 
Pratt and H. Mason ; Marshal, J. Kennard ; Treasurer, J. N. Bingham; Clerk, J. R. Crosby. 
Mr. Mason not qualifying, Mr. Roe was chosen in his stead. 

1868 — President, Miles W. Coon. Trustees — Henry Strong, Charles Chase, A. W. Henry 
and Charles H. Powers ; Justice of the Peace, Wilbur Chambers ; Treasurer, J. M. Bingham ; 
Marshal, S. S. Colton ; Clerk, W. J. Allen ; Deputy Marshal, Daniel Campbell. 

1869— President, S. M. Vandercook. Trustees— J. M. Hadloy, B. F. Holmes, W. Elden 
and H. E. Coon ; Treasurer, J. M. Bingham ; Justice, Lindsey M. Bigelow; Marshal, D. Camp- 
bell; Clerk, W. J. Allen ; Street Commissioner, D. Campbell. 

1870 — President, S. B. Higgins. Trustees — L. M. Bigelow, A. Willson, J. Dunstone 
and George Pickett ; Justice, W. J. Allen ; Treasurer, J. M. Bingham ; Marshal, L. Clemmons ; 
Clerk, W. J. Allen. 

1871 — President, 0. P. Dow. Trustees — G. L. Whitney, E. Boyington and C. F. East- 
man ; Treasurer, J. M. Peck ; Justice. E. Johnson ; Marshal, D. Campbell ; Clerk, William 
Elden. This Board of officers was chosen by the supporters and cohorts of the cause of tem- 
perance, and, as a consequence, fouglit the liquor sellers on every hand. Proceedings were 
instituted against the saloon keepers, and had not the latter, through their counsel, discovered 
the flaw already alluded to in the village charter, the liquor traffiickers would have been compelled 
to pull up stakes in Palmyra. As it was, the charter was dissolved, and the village was 
without any government, save that which exists among all well-disposed people, until May 5, 
1874, when, a new charter having been granted by the Circuit Court, the following officers were 
elected : 

1874 — President, Miles Wilbur. Trustees — S. B. Higgins, D. Craig, R. Loewe, E. Errick- 
son, S. Mitchell, 0. B. Palmer and Z. C. Willson ; Treasurer, R. Williams ; Clerk, A. S. Por- 
ter ; Assessor, James Mc Williams ; Justice, E. W. Coon; Constable, I. H. Porter. 

1875— President, John Mitchell. Trustees— W. F. Chambers, T. J. Dancy, 0. B. Palmer, 
W. F. Brown, John Messerschmidt and Richard Williams ; Clerk, A. S. Porter ; Treasurer, S. 
Mitchell : Justice of the Peace, L. M. Bigelow ; Police Justice, B. F. Holmes ; Constable, G. 
Dancy ; Supervisor, A. S. Porter ; Marshal, S. Brisbin ; Street Commissioner, S. B. 
Hijigins. 

1876 — President, D. Craig. Trustees — E. Erickson, G. H. Buzzell, J. B. Messerschmidt, 
J. C. Reed, R. Loewe and C. B. Hibbai-d ; Clerk, A. S. Porter ; Treasurer, Joseph Smith ; 
Police Justice, C. Griffin ; Justice of the Peace, H. Clemmons; Constable, W. F. Chambers: 
Supervisor, W. F. Chambers. , 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 531 

1877 — President, Samuel Mitchell. Trustees— A. D. Hills, T. R. Qualey, George 
Thomas, M. Kaiser, T. J. Dancy and W. Groves ; Clerk, A. S. Porter ; Treasurer, R. Loewe ; 
Justice of the Peace, J. A. Allen ; Constable, G. H. Pattee ; Supervisor, S. B. Higgins ; Street 
Commissioner, W. C. Thompson ; Marshal and Fire Warden, G. H. Pattee. 

1878— President, G. H. Buzzell. Trustees— R. Loewe, M. Kaiser, W. Groves, F. Ray, 
T. J. Dancy and S. A. Reed ; Clerk, C. D. Hibbard ; Treasurer, J. A. Allen ; Police Justice, 
J. C. Reed ; Street Commissioner, William Thompson ; Marshal, G. H. Pattee. 

1879— President, E. Sherman. Trustees— S. A. Reed, T. H. Mitchell, 0. Sherman, E. 
M. Towle, George Thomas and T. R. Qualey ; Clerk, S. Mitchell; Treasurer, R.Williams; 
Justice, J. A. Allen ; Marshal, S. Colton ; Constable, G. H. Pattee ; Supervisor, C. H. Powers ; 
Street Commissioner, C. F. Eastman. 

THE SCHOOLS. 

The first schoolhouse was built in the fall of 1842, and a teacher employed from White- 
water, who, unfortunately for himself, sent up a written order for some groceries, which, owing 
to the peculiar style of his spelling, fell into the hands of one of the members of the School Board 
{Mr. Miles Wilbur), who declined, with others, to ratify the engagement. The young 
pedagogue thereupon instituted a suit against the Board, which was decided in his favor. To 
satisfy the judgment, he took the windows out of the schoolhouse and sold them. There 
was a big suit over it, which was finally compromised for about $10 or §.50. The following 
summer. Miss Mary Rockwood was engaged by the Board to teach the school, and she taught 
three months. The building was used as a schoolhouse until 1846, when the Town Hall was 
built, and, until 1858, was occupied for that purpose, when the present handsome high- 
school building was erected. There are now 180 pupils on the roll. It is a two-story frame 
building and cost $4,000. It w<as constructed under the supervision of Mr. A. J. Craig, who 
afterward became State Superintendent. Following is a list of the Principals employed in the 
past twenty-one years: 1858, E. B. Gray; 1859, J. J. Angier and R. M. McKee ; 1860, A. 
H. Pettibone; 1861, F. B. Williams; 1862, J. L. Banner; 1863, William Green; 1864, E. 
G. Clark ; 186,5, William Elden ; 1868, J. A. Slattery ; 1869, William Elden ; 1870, E. S. 
Tilson ; 1871, James Congdon ; 1872, J. I. Bennett ; 1873-75, A. H. Porter ; 1876, William 
Peck ; 1877-79, R. Perkins. 

CHURCHES. 

In early days, religion, like other blessings, was scarce and hard to get ; that is to say, the 
opportunity for regular religious worship was not always at hand, and the good Christian 
thought himself or herself lucky, indeed, if a journey of ten or twelve miles brought them 
witliin hearing distance of a preacher. In 1837, the Rev. Jesse Holstead held forth to occa- 
sional meetings of Methodists in the town of Troy, Walworth County, and not a few of the 
first settlers in the backwoods region went thither for spiritual sustenance. Gradually, the light 
of religion shed its rays in the valleys of the Scupernong and Bark Rivers, until finally each 
settlement could afford its own minister, and, in due course of time, the reverberating echoes of 
the church bell could be heard penetrating the rigid atmosphere that had so recently known no 
sound save the piercing yell of the savage. In 1849-53, Palmyra was included in the circuit 
with Hart and Round Prairies, and the Revs. James F. Flanders, Mr. Whitehead and Nathaniel 
Swift will be remembered as belonging to the itinerancy and preaching on stated occasions to 
the people of those neighborhoods. An old settler of Palmyra remembers the text of Mr. 
Swift's first sermon. It was : " Receiveth, for we have wronged no man, nor defrauded no man, 
nor deceived no man." It was a very good community indeed, and each of Mr. Swift's hearers, 
it is believed, could honestly have taken the text to his or her own heart without conscientious com- 
punctions. Mr. Swift was much beloved by his small flock, and, before he left, it secured a lot 
of ground and assisted in the construction of a church edifice, in which, for a long time, a dry- 
goods box did service as a pulpit. When the society was organized in 1842, there were but five 



532 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

members. Meetings were then held in the old log schoolhouse. The list of Pastors since the 
ministration of the Rev. Swift is as follows : The Revs. Latin, H. M. Frinck, P. B. Pease, Mr. 
Moulthrop, Thomas Ross, J. Howd, R. M. Beach, I. S. Eldridge. H. Hersy, J. E. Biiker, 
Milton Rowley, A. S. Chamberlain, 0. C. Huntley, S. W. Ford, Mr. Vanvoorhees, Thomas 
Potter, J. R. Allen, W. E. Walker, Mr. Cooley, S. F. Cole, C. M. Stowers, C. E. Carpenter 
and W. B. Robinson. The Presiding Elders on this circuit since 1854 have been the Revs. C. 
Hobart, P. S. Bennett, W. G. Miller, W. 11. Sampson, S. C. Thomas, Mr. Pilsbury, W. C. 
Stowe and W. G. Miller. 

The First Cori'jreffational Church of Palmyra was organized on December 5, 1847, as 
a Presbyterian Church, the meeting for the purpose being held at the residence of Mr. Justus 
Carpenter, on December 4. The first members were B. N. Benedict, Justus Carpenter and 
wife, J. Fish, -J. Chambers and wife, J. Malcomson and wife, L. H. Lyman and Mrs. Sophia 
Lyman. In 1852, a church edifice was erected, and on July 10, 1858, the members, in conse- 
quence of the large numbers of Congregationalists in the village, agreed to transform it into a 
Congregational Church. It is a very fine frame building, with a seating capacity of 150 per- 
sons, and cost §2,500. The present membership is about eighty. Following is a list of the 
Pastors : Revs. P. H. Turner, C. W. Camp, W. C. Fiske, H. T. Lothrop, I. S. Emery, E. F. 
Waldo, E. P. Salmon, S. Parker, William E. Southworth, William Turner, Daniel Wooley and 
M. Wells. 

The Episcopal Church was organized in 1871, the first sermon being delivered by tlie 
Rev. E. P. Smith. The only regular members were Mrs. J. R. Cushman and Miss Kendall. 
Now there are some fifteen or twenty communicants, who have the opportunity of attending 
service every second Sunday, the Rectors who give them that pleasure being the Revs. E. P. 
Smith and R. D. Stearns. It is but right to state that the success of the Church is largely, if 
not entirely, due to the efforts of the female portion of the society. 

The Baptist Church was organized in 1844, with William K. Cash and wife, William D. 
Baldwin and wife, Seth and Abigail Higgins and John Chapen and wife as the first members. 
After the completion of the organization, services were held in the house of Mr. Cash, two 
miles north of the village, Elder Delaney being their guide, philosopher and friend. He contin- 
ued in that position for some time, and was subsequently succeeded by Elder Carr, under whose 
ministrations the present church edifice was erected. 

MANUFACTORIES. 

As has already been stated, the first manufactory in Palmyra was the saw-mill of the 
Messrs. Powers. About the time that institution was converted into a grist-rnill, for the manu- 
facture of flour and meal, Jlr. M. W. Coon established a cooper-shop in the village, and 
although thi '' bar'l " was in those days unknown to politics, there was such a demand for Mr. 
Coon's productions of this article that he was encouraged to build a second and larger factory, 
and increase his working force to from ten to eigliteen hands. Most of his barrels were 
shipped by wagon to Janesville. When, in 1858, timber became dear, and improved machin- 
ery literally took the adz from the hand of the workman, Mr. Coon saw the necessity of dis- 
continuing the business. 

In 1805, C. F. Eastman opened a small cooper-shop in the old building originally occupied 
by Mr. Coon. 

In 1856, John Heath and Nathan Smith built a reaper factory in Palmyra, where, for two 
years, they manufactured a machine that hiis attained a merited amount of fame among the 
farmers, known as the " Patent Falvey Riley Reaper." Messrs. Heath & Smith then retired 
from the business, and, in 1866, I. E. Brown obtained possession of "the old stand," where he 
carried on the foundry and machine business until 1871, when he sold to Reed & Willson. who 
built an addition for the accommodation of an engine and the purposes of a blacksmith-shop, 
and manufactured the Reed & Willson Wagon until 1877. The property then passed into the 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 533 

ands of James Webster, but in May, 1879, was purchased by C. F. Rauii, who manufactures 
eparators, horse-powers, saw-frames, mill-works, and does a large business in the line of 
epairing all sorts of machinery, his working force consisting of from six to eight men. 

January 1, 1875, Robert Loewe and T. R. (^ualey associated themselves together in the 
rholesale manufacture of boots and shoes. Their first year's sales amounted to about $20,000. 
'ebruary 1, 1876, a partner — Mr. John Messerschmidt — was added to the firm, which, in 
Lugust, 1877, was again changed by Mr. Loewe retiring. From nine to twelve men are 
mployed by Qualey & Co. Shipments are made throughout the Northwest. 

The Palmyra Broom-Factory was started in 1872 by Messrs. Pond & King, with a capital 
f about $200, and in the first year they turned out about two thousand dozen brooms. The 
usiness has increased very much of late, and now Messrs. King & Son, who constitute the 
rm, are raising their own material. They give employment to three hands, and ship to a 
jrge number of points in AVisconsin. 

The town of Palmyra affords three cheese-factories, with a combined capacity for working 
p the lacteal productions of 1,500 cows. The first of these was established in 1862, and is 
be property of Z. Willson ; the second in point of importance belongs to the Cold Springs 
!heese Company, and the third to Charles Calkins. Dairying has become one of the chief 
idustries of this part of Jefferson County. Prior to 1870, the raising of grain was the prin- 
ipal pursuit of the farmer, but when he learned of the demand in European markets for Amer- 
;an cheese and butter, he turned his attention to stock-raising, and, it is believed, has not 
egretted his venture. 

THE RAILROAD. 

What is now the Prairie du Chien Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee <fe St. Paul Rail- 
fay, reached the village of Palmyra in the fall of 1852. It was a luxury, the need of which 
iie citizens long had felt. Zebina Willson was installed as the agent of the Company at this 
oint, and has remained in the office ever since, being known as the oldest agent (that is, 
ingest in the service of the Company) on the road. Mr. Willson is one of the " live men " of 
'almyra. In 1853, he built a warehouse and commenced the purchase and shipment of grain. 
n 1860, he found the business largely increasing, and, recognizing the necessity for more 
borage room, erected an elevator with a capacity of 20,000 bushels. He continued in the 
rain trade until 1878, when he sold his elevator and patronage to John Gregory. 

HOTELS. 

The Palmyra House, built by William Mulks, and destroyed by fire in 1859, was the first 
otel in Palmyra. Second in the list of institutions under this head was the Wisconsin House, 
uilt and owned by Coon & Purdy. After the burning of the Palmyra House, Messrs. Coon 
; Purdy moved their hotel from its original site to that formerly occupied by the ill-starred 
'almyra. It is now the Stewart House, kept by A. Tichaffer. 

James French was the next individual to become fascinated with the hotel business, and, in 
857, he constructed a convenient and commodious caravansary near the railroad depot, which, 
1 1866, was purchased by J. B. Messerschmidt. In 1877, extensive improvements were naade 
y the owner, and it was called the Commercial House. 

A SUMMER RESORT. 

Palmyra is rapidly developing toward a leading position in the long list of excellent sum- 
ler resorts to be found in Wisconsin. The artificial lake, cau.sed, for the most part, by the 
amming of the silver-watered Scupernong, the romantic surroundings of sfiady groves and 
ozy nooks (lovers' retreats), and the famous springs, whose waters contain all the exhilarating 
ualities claimed by physicians to be so beneficial to impaired constitutions, combine to make 



534 HISTORY OF .TEFFERSOX COUXTY. 

Palmyra all that is accorded to the most fashionable or agreeable places of this character to b 
found within the interior of the Union. In 1871. Ira Bidwell and Dr. Wood built an elegan 
and substantial hotel (the Bidwell House) for the accommodation of those seeking pleasure o 
health, and furnished in a style whose sumptuousness is certainh^ all that could be desired c 
expected. It is in every particular a summer-resort hotel, where, during the heated term, ca 
be found the Southern Bourbon and Northern " Stalwart," the Eastern dandy and Wester 
business man, who, for a period, forget the halls of legislation and trade-marts and turn thei 
undivided attention to the recuperation of their wasting energies. Last season, the Bidwell wa 
opened by Col. Charles H. Dean, of Peoria, 111., who presided over the hostelry in a mannc 
highly spoken of by those who were so fortunate as to be his guests. Excellent drives, line 
with groves of oaks and maples, diverge in almost every direction from the Bidwell. 

THE PRESS. 

Palmyra is not without that most valuable acquisition in the march of progress — a news 
paper; and, for a village of 900 or 1,000 inhabitants, the Palmyra Enterprise certainly is 
newspaper in which the citizens should take a deep pride. The publication of the Enterprii 
was commenced seven years ago by 0. P. Dow, its present editor and manager. It was orig 
nally a seven-column folio, and, three years ago, another column was added to each page. It i 
Republican in politics, and temperate in principle, and has been the especial champion of 
uniform text-book system. The Entfrprhe was the first journal in the State to hoist the nam 
of William Smith for Governor at the head of its editorial columns. The editor exhibits con: 
mendable modesty in any claims upon the party for this exhibition of political foresight, belie\ 
ing that he only added his "little mite " in the interest of good government. " U. S. Gran 
for President of the United States," is the present political emblem of the Enterprise. Jui 
how near the mark Mr. Dow will fall is a matter for future decision. 

THE POST OFFICE. 

This never-failing mark of civilization was established in 1843, with Mr. John Fish a 
Postmaster. There was then but one mail per week, which has increased to three mails per daj 
and a tri-weeklv from the East via Milwaukee, the average amount of matter received being 15 
pounds per day. The receipts from the office, money-order and stamp sales combined, are abou 
$10,000 per annum. The following is a list of the Postmasters : John Fish, G. M. Harris. I 
H. Turner, I. C. Thompson, A. S. Porter, H. Strong andB. N. Benedict, the present incumbeni 

SECRET SOCIETIES. 

Palmi/ra Lod<je, No. 160, I. 0. 0. F., was organized on January 20, 1870, with the fo 
lowing charter members: I. E. Brown, L. K. Purdy. S. W. Ford, Francis C. Webb, Calvi 
Gray. The first officers were: N. G., R. S. Hadley ; V. G., F. C. Webb ; Secretary, H. Strong 
R. S., R. Loewe ; Treasurei', A. Henderson. The Lodge now numbers about seventy-six men 
bers, and is in a very flourishing condition, possessing about SI, 400 in funds and property. Th 
present officers are: N. G.,S. Mitchell ; V. G.,H. Buening: Secretary. R. L. McCarthy; P. S 

A. L. Porter; Treasurer, D. Craig. 

In connection with this is a Rebecca Lodge, known as Nellie Lodge, No. 18, the preser 
membership of which is twenty-eight. The officers are : N. G., Mrs. E. M. Towle ; V. G., Mri 

B. A. Pond ; R. S., Mrs. M. McCarthy ; P. S., R. L. McCarthy ; Treasurer, Mi-s. Kaisei 
Meetings are held in the Odd Fellows' Hall, on Wednesday night, once in two weeks. 

Capt. Henry Willson, of Palmyra, was made an Odd Fellow in 1828, in Manchestei 
England, and is probably the oldest Odd Fellow in Wisconsin. The Order has just completed 
larire and Commodious hall. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 535 

Palmyra Lodge, No. 6S, A., F. if- A. M., was organized in 1848. Among the original 
mbers of this Lodge may be mentioned the following: Monroe McKenzie, Jacob Skinner, Z. 
illson, R. Willson, M. W. Coon, 0. F. Weed, George Reddington, Maj. Asa Boyington and 
M. Harris. The Lodge lias now about sixty membei's. 

. Palmi/ra Lodi/e, I. 0. G-. T., was organized on May 20, 1873, with the following charter 
irabers : 'l. T. Lothrop, E. E. Lothrop, H. P. Goodman, E. E. Dow, 0. P. Dow, F. P. Buz- 
1, Miss Clara Buzzell, Mrs. H. M. Bunker, H. M. Coon, Mrs. H. M. Coon, Miss Lucy 
rner, I. N. Turner and wife, Mrs. P. S. Mason, T. H. Randall, George IJackus, Miss Mary 
ckus, R. L. McCarthy, D. Campbell, Miss Emma Campbell. The first officers were: W. C, 
P. Buzzell ; W. V., H. M. Bunker ; W. R. S., R. L. McCarthy ; W. F. S., E. E. Dow ; P. 
. C, D. Campbell ; W. T., Mrs. H. M. Coon ; W. C, H. P. Goodman ; W. M., H. M. 
on; A. M., Lucy Turner; 0. S. G., T. H. Randall; S. G., Mrs. Mary Campbell; R. and L. 
Mrs. P. S. Mason and Mrs. F. P. Buzzell. 

A re-organization took place in the fall of 1874, under the title of Spring Lake Lodge, No. 
6. The present officers are : W. C, I. T. Lothrop ; W. V., Capitola Hopper ; P. W. C. T., George 
ckus ; F. S., H. Thompson : W. C, Thomas French ; R. S., W. J. Brown ; Marshal, Clay- 
1 Olds ; A. M., Miss Nelly Beggs ; I. G., Jessie Willson ; 0. G., George Drumgold. The 
dge now has a membership of thirty-nine, and possesses property, regalia, etc., valued at §100. 

FIRST THINGS. 

The first brick building was erected in 1846, by Mr. Levi Powers, for a town hall. 

The first death occurred in 1845, the victim of the fell destroyer being Mrs. Lavinia Wilbur. 

The first birth occurred in 1842, in the family of Mr. James Westfalls, the "little one," 
wever, only attaining the age of two years. 

The first marriage took place in the fall of 1843, the high contracting parties being Albertus 
lapp and Miss Polly Duncan, a sister-in-law of Mr. Miles Wilbur. 

The first land was broken in the village by S. Brisbin and Miles Wilbur in the spring of 
43, upon which they planted winter wheat, and when it arrived at maturity they took it to 
ilwaukee and sold it for 37 cents per bushel. 

The first blacksmith's siiop was opened in 1843 by Robert Brewer. 

The first physician is believed to have been Dr. Petty. 

Jacob Skinner was the first lawyer. 

Revs. Nathaniel Swift and Mr. Whitehead were the first circuit preachers. 

THE CEMETERY. 

On April 26, 1851, a meeting was held at the Town Hall for the purpose of forming a 
metery Association. Those present were B. N. Benedict, N. F. Smith, P. H. Turner, J. 
:inner, Philetus Ranney, M. C. Conger, Monroe McKenzie, John E. S. Harris, Richard Pack- 
m, .James Malcomson, John Chapin, J. A. Allen, H. T. Lothrop, S. B. Higgins, Z. Wilson 
d Justus Carpenter. B. N. Benedict was chosen President, and Nathan Smith, Secretary, 
essrs. P. H. Turner, John Chapin, B. N. Benedict, Richard Packham, M. McKenzie and John 

S. Harris, were elected Trustees. On May 21, 1852, another meeting was held at which a 
oposition was made by David J. Powers, to the effect that if they would raise $200 for the pur- 
se of surveying and fencing the ground, he would donate two and three-fourth acres of land. 
r. Powers' offer was accepted. On June 5, 1866, pursuant to a clause in the act of incorpora- 
in the cemetery was transferred to the control of the Village Board, but, when the act of incor- 
ration was declared illegal, the following Trustees were elected: 0. P. Dow, President; S. B. 
iggins, C. F. Eastman, Miles Wilbur, R. Williams (Treasurer), and W. F. Chambers, Secre- 
ry. Next year, however, the control of it passed again into the hands of the Village Board, 

whom it is still vested. It is a nicely situated ground, and is filled with many handsome 



536 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

monuments, and various shrubs, beneath which lie the remains of many of the pioneers who ga 
their services and their lives to the advancement of civilization, and the founding of one of t 
prettiest villages in the Northwest. 



TOWN AND VILLAGE OF COLD SPRING. 

" Abram Brink,', says an old settler of the village of Cold Spring, "was not only t 
founder of this place, but, while he continued to live, he was the moving spirit in every cnt( 
prise calculated to add to its prosperity and importance ; and when, by his sudden and unf( 
tunate death, the light of his genius went out, a reactionary era set in, from the efl'ects of whi 
we are just recovering. We believe that a new and (so far as enterprise is concerned) regen( 
ated Brink has recently come among us, and that the cloud that for thirty years has o'ersha 
owed the horizon of our advancement will soon be dispelled, and Cold Spring will again take 
place among the progressive villages of this progressive asje." 

Abram Brink came to Jefferson County in 1838, and settled on Whitewater Creek, in St 
tion 18, Township 5 north, Range 15 east, opposite a bounteous spring of pure, cold water — 
very cold, in fact, as to entitle it to the name of Cold Spring, after which the village that afte 
ward grew up thereabouts and the town that was subsequently organized out of the town 
Bark River were named. Brink's first work was the building of a saw-mill and dam. 
turning-shop and grist-mill were the next institutions that owed their existence to his enterpris 
Ten years from the date of Mr. Brink's first settlement oi^ Whitewater Creek saw a wonderf 
transformation in that vicinity. The humble log cabin, reare<l with but little regard for comfoi 
but m'erely as a temporary shelter, was torn away, and frame dwellings, with perhaps two stori( 
and, better still, lathed and plastered, began to loom up in almost every direction ; saw t 
platting of a village covering twenty acres of Brink's claim, and the survey of streets and roa 
ways by Milo Jones ; witnessed the establishment of stores ; the foundation of schools ; t 
inauguration of religious societies, and a reign of general progress all along the line. Bi 
alas ! the same period of time also witnessed the accidental death of Abram Brink. Novemb 
1, 1848, while on his way to Milwaukee with a load of flour (the product of his grist-mill), 
company with Frank Pixley, and while in tlie act of driving beneath a leaning tree, N 
Brink's spin^ was so seriously injured that he died within a few days. He was thirty-fi 
years of age, and was buried in Cold Spring Cemetery. 

Alexander Henderson, Nelson Fryer, Asabel Kinney and Henry Johnson, beside W 
Brink, were the earliest settlers in what is now the town of Cold Spring. George W. Essi 
came in 183!', and after a short stay went to Michigan, but returned and settled permanent 
in the spring of 1840. During this year, Thomas Findley, James Wallace, Prude Parsons ai 
Thomas Brice were added to the population. 

The surface of the land comprised in the town of Cold Spring is for the most part level, 
gently rolling. The soil is rich and productive and in a high state of cultivation There 
evidence that that region was once a favorite haunt of the Indians, and old Black Hawk, 
his time, was no doubt the "ruling sovereign " of the Bark River country. An Indian buryin 
ground, on a little knoll half a mile northwest of the village of Cold Spring, denotes the speci 
of the original inhabitants of this once wild waste that has since been made to " blossom 
the rose." Bear, elk and deer were very plentiful in the Bark River region at an early da 
Mr. Eason remembers having killed a pestiferous bruin, which had displayed an enormo' 
appetite for calves and pigs and lambs. The animal weighed 325 pounds, and was " treed 
by a very noisy, stump-tailed cur belonging to Mr. Eason. The old pioneer's table was f 
some time thereafter well-supplied with " b'ar meat." Milwaukee was for several years tl 
nearest provision point. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 537 

The village of Cold Spring is located one mile south of the confluence of Whitewater Creek 
I Bark River, beneath the brow of a gracefully rising hill, from the top of which the church 
res and factory smoke-stacks in Fort Atkinson, Whitewater and other villages, can be dis- 
ctly seen. The first store established in the village was by Oscar Weed k Bros. Prior to 

advent of the Weeds, a genius from Ohio, who came from the Buckeye State with another 
n's wife and a small stock of whisky, pipes, tobacco, coffee and tea, had located there as a 
rchant, but, receiving an unexpected visit from a posse of Milwaukee officers, he allowed the 
ids to be confiscated for the benefit of his creditors, and, in company with the woman, 
kipped the ranch," and ''went West.'' It is said he entertained a mortal horror of shot-guns 
the hands of outraged husbands. Among those who have "kept store" since the time of 
;ar Weed may be mentioned Dempster Gould, "Little" Robinson, Gr. P. Marston (who died 
San Diego, Cal.), August Greenleaf, Ira Day, Dana King, Thadeus De Long, B. F. Pixley, 
P. Hammond, and, perhaps others, whose names cannot be remembered. The Hale Wash- 
,rd Manufacturing Company will be remembered as among the institutions of Cold Spring, 
^rew out of a copartnership store, and was carried on by F. De Long and F. Smith. After 
ear of varied success, the building in which the patent Milesian music-boxes were manufac- 
ed was struck by lightning. S. P. Hammond and family were living in one portion of the 
icture at the time, and had a narrow escape. The Judge considers it the " closest call " he 
r had. So vividly was he made to realize the fragile texture of the thread of life, that his 
nediate reformation followed ; he became a Deacon in the church, and now, when not engaged 
the dispensation of petty justice and hard cider, may be found in the gloom of his cloister, 
ipped in the sackcloth of humiliation and bent low in the attitude of prayer. 

The Brink saw-mill, after passing through the hands of Joseph Widner and Norman Hor- 
, and while it was the property of Archibald and William Snodgrass, was totally destroyed 

fire. The Messrs. Snodgrass then erected a starch-factory on the dam near the site of the 

saw-mill. This enterprise proving unremunerative, it was converted into a gristmill, which, 
;he spring of 1879^ was sold under a mortgage, F. M. Allen & Son being the purchasers. A 
iplete outfit of new milling machinery has been put into the structure by Allen & Son, 
I, with the advantages arising from a rich agricultural region and what is considered one of 

very best water-powers in the Northwest, Cold Spring boasts a flouring-mill second to none 
its size in the State. 

The new Cold Spring Cheese Factory, established by the Cold Spring Cheese Company, 
187-1, is another institution taking no small part in the prosperity of the place. The com- 
ly was originally composed of R. F. McCutchan, William Marshall, A. D. Coburn and 
)rge Billett. The proprietorship is the same now, with the exception of Mr. Marshall, who 
hdrew in the spring of 1879. The factory has a capacity of 200,000 pounds of cheese per 
son of eight months. This company also owns four other cheese-factories, one at Oak Hill, 
u of Sullivan, built in 1873, with a capacity of 200,000 pounds; one at Hebron, built about 

same time, capable of turning out 300,000 pounds; one at Palmyra, built in 1871, with a 
acity of 200,000 pounds, and another (The Clover Valley Factory), in the town of White- 
:er, Walworth County. The combined product of the five factories has reached over one 
lion pounds in a season. In 1864, the old Cold Spring Cheese-Factory, situated on White- 
;er Creek, was built by Alanson Pike, Edmund King, William Marshall aud James M. Case. 
Iliam Marshall is the present owner, and the institution, which has a capacity of 280,000 
inds in a season, is now known as the Marshall Cheese-Factory. Shipments from all of the 
ve are made to Liverpool, London, New York, etc. 
A district school was organized about 1840, of which a Miss Moore is said to have been 

first teacher. A log schoolhouse which stood on the land now owned by AVilliam Greenleaf, 
nished .shelter for Miss Moore's class of embryo philosophers. It is said that George Peck, 
Peck's Sun, obtained his earlier knowledge of letters of the English alphabet within this old 

schoolhouse. Miss Greenleaf is believed to have been his instructor ; but, of course, no one 
1 blame her for the wickedness of her pupil. The old adage, "As the twig is bent, the tree 



538 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

will incline," will not apply in George's case. The next abode of education was a neat li 
frame house which stood on the farm of Lyman Goodhue, and now used by that gentleman i 
storehouse. In 1871, a two-story brick was erected near by, in which is now taught a gra 
school of two departments. The roll shows the names of 109 children who have attend 
Prof. Brown and Miss McDonough are the teachers. 

Elder Case, a Methodist missionary, was among the first professors of religion to pre 
the Gospel in Cold Spring and vicinity. Services were held in the private residences of th 
most devout, 184:2 being given as the date of these proceedings. The Revs. Halleck, Cook : 
Anderson have officiated since Elder Case. During the fifties, the United Brethren organi 
prayer-meeting.s in the old Fuller House, in which Deacon Hammond had a store. The fn 
schoolhouse was afterward the scene of worship by this denomination, and, in 1862, they b 
a church edifice, the society at the present time being given, in numbers, at eighty-six m* 
bers. Elders Zook, Payne and Hamilton were among the early exhorters. The Revs. Sut( 
Bove, Talbot, Alderman, Cunningham, Deal, Grover and Wood have been the regular Pasti 

In early days (about 1849), the good shepherds of the Lord in Cold Spring found it i 
essary to inaugurate a crusade .against that monster. Intemperance. Accordingly, Elder 1 
took the lead in this regard, and pursued the enemy to the very threshold of his lair, 
organization was effected in the wagon-shop of William Graham, known as the "Auger-B 
Society," to which a large proportion of the population belonged. Instead of signing 
pledge and joining in singing a cold-water hymn, the candidate for admission was required, 
the presence of all the other teetotalers, to bore a hole, with an auger, in a plank leaning agai 
the side of the room, and swear never to drink till the hole grew up ; if he did, he would c( 
forward, in the presence of his stronger brothers and sisters, and acknowledge his waywardi 
by deliberately plugging the hole with a wooden pin. This novel method of initiation exci 
considerable interest at first ; but, owing to the great demand for pins, causing a drain u 
Mr. Graham's supply of wagon-timber, the Society disbanded. Among the "old pluggers' 
the "Auger-Hole Society" who are still in existence, may be mentioned Judge Hammond, 1 
Marsh and Maj. Gray. 

Located upon the apex of a hill in the southern limits of Cold Spring are the beaut 
grounds of the Cold Spring Union Cemetery Association, where lie the remains of many 
old pioneer. The Association was organized in 1860, with S. B. Hammond as Preside 
Daniel Bean, Treasurer; Richard Cheesebrough, Clerk, and B. S. McCune added to the ab 
as Director. In October, 1878, a re-organization took place, and the grounds were laro 
improved. The officers and managers of the Association at the present time are Will 
Ludtke, Chr. Ludtke and William Kutz. 



LAKE MILLS. 

Capt. Joseph Keyes was the first settler in what is now the village of Lake Mills. 
ber, 1837, is the date of his coming. He settled and built a shanty on the piece of land i 
occupied by Mrs. Lewis. After numerous improvements and additions to his rude home, 
finally (in 1841) attached to it a frame structure, made of plank from his saw-mill, and, fc 
long time, the Captain's house was regarded by his neighbors as the acme of architect! 
beauty. 

Judging by the following incident, his life there, until others moved in, can hardly h 
been all his fancy painted. For some time his nearest neighbors were Fort Atkinson and A 
Ian, and one day being short of flour, he started off to the latter place with a pillow-slip to ] 
cure some. He obtained about six pounds, and, on his way back, the horse he was riding stai 
at something, causing Mr. Keyes to let go his hold on the pillow-slip, which fell, as luck wc 
have it, into a mud-hole. The Captain's grief was very great, in fact he cried, but flour be 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 539 

ery valuable, he recognized the truth of the old adage respecting the uselessness of mourning 
ver spilt milk, and gathered up his package, the contents of which he subsequently used. 

George Farmer and wife, Isaac Wardwell and his brother, M. L. Bartlett, George Ilebard, 
J. P. Drake, Judge Hyer, J. L. Chambers and Miles Millard were the next settlers in that 
hat vicinity. In 1842, Capt. Keyes laid out the village by platting an area of his claim 
ontaining about twenty-five acres. In 1852, Mr. Enoch B. Fargo set off the northern 
nd western portions, consisting of fifteen acres in the latter and twenty in the former. A 
hird addition was made at a later date, by Messrs. Cook & Atwood, which included twenty 
ores in the northwestern portion. In the center of the place is a very fine piece of 
round, which was laid out and donated by Capt. Keyes for a public park. For a number of 
ears no action was taken in regard to improvements, but, of late years, a substantial fence has 
een erected and numerous shade-trees planted upon it. These latter, when fully grown, will 
end much to beautify an otherwise plain spot. Up to 1870, the place bore the name of Lake 
ilills, having been so christened by Capt. Keyes, probably owing to the circumstance of it8 
leing almost on Rock Lake, which was a source of power to a saw-mill and grist-mill then run- 
ling. But, in 1870, it was re-christened "Tyranena," which name it bore for one year, when, 
n deference to a popular sentiment, the name was changed back to '■ Lake Mills." 

Ever since 1856, the government of the village has been vested in a President and Board 
f Trustees, a list of whom the publishers regret being unable to give, the necessity for which 
3 occasioned by the utter and entire absence of records from 1846 to 1857, and the inability of 
ven the oldest inhabitant to remember, with the slightest degree of accuracy, the name or names 
f any members of the Board. The present members of the Board are: President, B. B. San- 
lorn ; Trustees — F. A. Seaven, F. G. Kaltenbrum, C. Cramer, Clint Bray ton, A. J. Foster and 
leorge Griswold ; Clerk, Frank Foote ; Treasurer, R. S. Royce ; Police Justice, 0. L. Ray. 

A pioneer's sketch. 

Royal Tyler, an old settler in Lake Mills, who died in 1870, has left the following sketch, 
'iving his experiences and observations. The paper is supposed to have been written about 
wenty years ago. It is to be regretted that Mr. Tyler did not leave a more extended history 
(f this important section. He says : 

" The first settlement of the town of Lake Mills was commenced in the month of May, 
L837, by E. L. Atwood, Holly Atwood and Jacob Gause, who emigrated from Massachusetts, 
ind arrived in Milwaukee in the month of August, 1836, and moved on to their claim, as it was 
hen called — which was made by the writer on the 16th day of March, 1837, and recorded in 
lie memorable claim-law office, kept by N. F. Hyer, at the Ancient City — on the 31st day of 
yiay, 1837, and commenced making improvements on the southeast quarter of Section 1, Town 
r north, of Range 13 east, and built during the season one small block-house and one frame 
louse in the month of June, 1837 ; and in the fall one large block-house, 24x36, and raised that 
ieason 150 bushels of potatoes. 

" On the 5th day of March, 1837, the writer of this arrived in Milwaukee from the State 
)f Vermont, and came to this town on 15th day of the same month, and made his claim ; moved 
)n to it June following, and has resided on it since, with the exception of three years. The 
iame season, I broke six acres of land. With me came Theron Plumb, who came from Massa- 
chusetts, and lived with Mr. Atwood and myself until he moved over into Milford, where he 
now resides with his family, considered in every other respect as one of our citizens. 

" In the month of July, two sisters of Mr. Atwood — Elvira and Mary Ann — moved out 
from Milwaukee. Until then, we considered ourselves the kings and queens of the West; then 
we were once more happy to acknowledge ourselves under the influence of the fair sex. It 
seemed to us like enjoying a meal at home to have it prepared by the hands of those whom 
nature has designed to satisfy the finer sense of taste — though our meals were nothing more than 
good bread and pork, and pork and bread. 



540 HISTORY OF dEFFEHSO^^ COUNTY. 

"In October, Mr. John Atwood and wife — parents of the above-named Atwoods — moved t 
this place, together with the rest of their family, viz.: Their sons Isaac and wife, and John G 
and Nancy, and also the wife and family of E. L Atwood. 

" In the same month, also, came Capt. J(;seph Keyes, who moved with his family from th 
State of Vermont, and located in the present village, and commenced improving the water-powei 
Also, with Capt. Keyes came George Farmer and wife, from New York. Of this company of firs 
settlers, George Farmer and family returned to Herkimer, the place whence they came, i 
1H4.3, and Capt. Keyes moved to Menasha with his fiimily in 18.50, with great reluctance — Lak 
Mills seeming most jike home to him of any other place in the West. And it was with the sam 
deep sense of regret that we parted with him, he being endeared to us all by the ties of early sei 
tlement, and those being the nearest of all, e.xcept of kin. 

" The first death from among the early settlers was that of Mrs. John Atwood, who died o 
November 2, 1845. The first marriage of the first settlers was that of the writer with Rosalin 
Colton, of Montpelier, Vt., on January 8, 1839. The next in order was that of K. Atwood t 
Mary Ann Keene on April 12, 1840. Miss Keene and her sister Delta (now the wife c 
Charles M. Plumb) are believed to have been the third and fourth females who settled in thi 
county. They located in the present limits of Aztalan December 25, 18.36. and underwei 
great privations and hardships, being nearly frozen to death once, and often reduced nearly t 
starvation. The first wedding celebrated in the town was the marriage of Morgan "^j. Bartleti 
one of the settlers of Milford, to Miss Mary Ann Atwood, in the spring of 1840. Both of th 
above have died — Mr. Bartlett, on June 31, 1847, and Mrs. Bartlett in the October ^ollowinj 
Mrs. Isaac Atwood died December 31, 1848, and Mrs. Royal Tyler November 14, 18o0. Th 
first child born in Lake Mills was William Henry Atwood, son of E. L. and Sarah Atwood," o 
May 6, 1840. 

" Improvements. — The first saw -mill in the village of Lake Mills was built by Capt. Josep 
Keyes, which went into operation in the fall of 183U. In the fall of 1842, Capt. Keye 
erected the first grist-mill in the county of Jefferson, on the same water-power as the saw-mi 
named above. A store was opened at Lake Mills in 1842, by George Payne and J. L. Byinc 
ton. The first schoolhouse was erected in the summer of 1841, and an excellent school kept b' 
Nancy Atwood, now Mrs. Daniel Wood. Independence Day was first celebrated in the count 
at Lake Mills, in 1830. by a goodly number of people for the time, at which a spirited oration wa 
delivered by Rev. J. F. Ostrander. 

'■'■Miscellaneous. — The town now contains 1,400 inhabitants. The price of wheat i 
1838 was P per bushel; now 37i cents. Flour, in 1837, $15; in 1852, $2.50. Pork, §4 
per barrel, or 25 cents per pound, now 3i cents. Labor by the day, $1 ; board by the weel 
$7, and bread and fish at that." 

CHURCHES. 

The M. E. Church was organized in 1844, with the following communicants : Mrs. Mar 
Ann Millard, Stephen Faville, Alpheus Faville, John Johnston, George Baker, Thomas Dare 
and Oscar Bowman. For a number of years, the then growing congregation met for prayer i; 
the houses of personal friends and in the schoolhouse. In 1854, they built the first church, a 
a cost of about $1,800. It was a frame structure, capable of seating 200 persons. That build 
ing continued in use until 1867, when the present building was erected. It is a very handsom 
brick building, with a seating capacity of 300, and cost §10,000. 

Following is a list of the Pastors from the date of the organization to the present time 
The Revs. Lathrop, Allen, Wood, Martin, Willard, Jones, Galup, Brown, Randall, Piersol 
Ilolister, Shepherd, Squires, Potter, Boshe, Reyna, Cooley, North, Bennett, Moore, Sewel, Car 
penter, Bennett, Wheeler, Hubbs, Coblin, Miller, Moffat, Piersol and Richardson. The Pre 
siding Elders have been S. C. Stocking, P. B. Pease (twice). Elder Seighigh, E. Springei 
W. H. Sampson and W. P. Stowe. 




JEFFERSON 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 543 

The Moravian Church. — The nucleus of this society was formed in 1856, the leading 
ipirits being Messrs. August Resenberg, Michael Strasburg, Carl Zeberneck, George Bruns, A. 
Zimmerman and Andrew Joeckel. For two years, services, presided over by the Rev. Mr. 
Rathbrun, were held in the old schoolhouse ; but in 1858, the society, then much stronger, built 
I church. It was a brick building, with a seating capacity of about one hundred and fifty, and 
!Ost $600. Two years afterward, they built a parsonage, of brick, also, at a cost of $600. The 
)ld church was utilized until 1872, when they built the present church. It is also of brick, with 
I seating capacity of five hundred, and cost $5,000. The old parsonage is still in use. The 
jresent number of the congregation is one hundred and fifty, who contribute a salary to the 
Pastor of .$500 per annum. 

Following is a list of the ministers from the date of the organization to the present time : 
185G-57, Rev. Mr. Rathbrun ; 1857-60, Rev. John Kilian ; 1860-65, Rev. Phillip Uitse ; 
1865-70, Rev. Phillip Rommel; 1870-79, Rev. P. F. Oehler ; 1879, Rev. Mr. Severing, the 
oresent incumbent. 

The Baptist Church was organized on August 17, 1869, with the following communi- 
;ants : William H. Foster and wife, George Lusted and wife, L. D. Fargo and wife, W. A. 
Gruild, George T. Fargo, W. Carr, Miss Nancy Allcorn, Delia Healy, Emma Harvey, Mrs. M. 
I. Sanborn, Mrs. Sarah Wenings, Miss Rose Trussell, Miss Alida Fargo and Miss Kate K. 
Fargo. Up to 1870, the congregation met in Hoskin's Hall, but in that year they purchased 
;he old Leavitt Schoolhouse and converted it into a hall. It is a frame building, with a seating 
japacity of about two hundred, but is only called upon to accommodate sixty-two, that being 
the present membership. It cost $1,200. 

Following is a list of Pastors : 1869-74, Rev. Isaac Fargo ; 1874-76, Rev. John Webb ; 
1877-79, Rev. J. S. Marsh, the present incumbent. 

The present Trustees are Messrs. B. B. Sanborn, A. Healy and L. D. Fargo. 

The Gongregatio7ial Church was organized August 15, 1847, with the following mem- 
bers: Kelly Atwood, Mary A. Atwood. Theron Plum, Charles Plum, Gerard Cutler, Mary 
Cutler, E. D. Seward, Sarah A. Seward, Martin N. Seward, May E. Seward and Mrs. Chary 
Smith. In 1850, Mr. Kelly Atwood donated a lot, one acre and a half in extent, and next 
year the society erected the present church at a cost of $2,000. Additions to the extent of 
|1,500 have since been made. It has a seating capacity of about three hundred, though 
it is never called upon to accommodate more than one hundred and fifty, its present congrega- 
tion. Following is a list of Pastors from the date of the organization to the present time: 
The Revs. Mr. Clinton, E. D. Seward, T. W. Jones, A. A. Young, — Bushel, C. Caverno, S. 
E. Lathrop, H. B. Tuttle, H. Fowle, H. Pullen and R. Quaife, the present incumbent. The 
present Trestees are G. A. Williams, W. L. Hopkins and S. Wegeman. 

ROCK LAKE CEMETERY ASSOCIATION. 

On October 4, 1854, a meeting of the residents of Lake Mills was held for the purpose of 
forming a cemetery association. Messrs. John G. Merriam, Q. A. Shoat, William H. Foster, 
L. S. Kellogg, W. R. Griswold and S. S. Keyes, were chosen to fill the office of Trustees, 
they choosing as ofiicers L. S. Kellogg, President; W. R. Griswold, Treasurer, and S. S. 
Keyes, Secretary. 

The ground, two acres in extent, was then located on the Picket estate, in Cook & Atwood's 
Addition to the village. That ground continued in use until September 29, 1856, when another 
meeting was called, and held, for the purpose of receiving the present lot at the hands of Mr. 
Kelly Atwood, who donated it in exchange for that formerly in use. All the bodies in the 
original plat were taken up and re-entered. It contains five acres, and is located on the old 
Madison and Watertown road, on Sections 11 and 12. 

It is a very pretty ground, and in appointments and general appearance does honor to 
those who have been at the pains and expense to thus beautify it. The present Trustees 

\ N 



544 HISTORY OF JEFFEKSOX COUNTY. 

are: Oscar S. Ray, President; C. H. Steinfert, Secretary; William L. Hoskins, Treasurer 
George S. Griswolil, S. W. Hoyt and S. R. Teed, Trustees. 

SCHOOLS. 

The first schoolhouse in the town was erected by Capt. Joseph Keyes and his neighbors, ii 
1841, who hired a Miss Catlin to teach there, the cost of the building and Miss Catlin's salary 
being defrayed from a fund subscribed by the citizens. On October 7, 1843, pursuant to at 
order of the School Commissioners of the town of Aztalan, a meeting of the legal voters of th( 
Lake Mills School District was held in Lake Mills for the purpose of forming a school board an( 
electing officers for the ensuing year. Those chosen were: S. S. Keyes, Clerk ; Miles Millard, W 
B. Sloan, E. L. Atwood, Trustees; Girard Cutler, Collector. At a meeting held on February 22 
1844, it was resolved to erect a schoolhouse in Lake Mills, and the following gentlemen wen 
appointed a Building Committee: Messrs. Benjamin Salts, Andrew P. Waterbury and George Heb 
ard. That summer, the schoolhouse was built, the material being of brick and the cost 3200 
On August 1, 1845, a meeting was held to obtain the sense of the voters on the amount of ta: 
necessary to be levied for the completion of the building, and, after some discussion, $100 wa 
the amount agreed upon. On September 1, 1850, tlie Clerk of the District, Mr. E. D. Seward 
submitted his annual report, by which it was shown that there were one hundred and thirty-fiv 
pupils attending the school, of whom sixty-seven were males and sixty-eight females ; that tli 
school had been taught seven months of the year — by Mr. James E. Cook for two and a hal 
months, by Miss M. A. Ranney and J. A. Baker one and a half months each, and A. Parker on 
and a half months. 

In 1854, a second brick schoolhouse was erected at a cost of ^800, the land upon which th 
two stood being donated by Roswell Picket and Miles Millard. Those two buildings remainei 
in occupation until 1808, when the present free high-school building was erected at a cost o 
§'.),000. It is of brick, with accommodations for two iiundred and fifty scholars, and, in add! 
tion, the Board still use one of the old back buildings. The course of instruction pursued i 
similar to that in use throughout the high schools in the State. 

Following is a list of the Principals who have occupied the high-school building since it 
erection : 

1868-70, E. P. Brooks ; 1870-71, James T. Freeman : 1871-73, Mr. Newberry and G. A 
Williams ; 1874, C. L. Hubbs ; 1874-70, G. A. Williams ; 187ti-7i>, C. L. Hubbs. 

The present Trustees are: Messrs. B. B. Sanborn, Director; G. S. Griswold, Treasurer 
R. Fargo, Clerk. 

MANUFACTURINCi INTERESTS. 

Principal among these important factors to the ultimate greatness of the village, are th 
Agricultural Company's works, which were started in 1847, by Miles Millard, Ambrose Foste 
and Enoch and L. B. Fargo, in a brick building 70x40 feet. The work then turned out was ( 
the most ordinary character, being, in fact, such as is performed in almost any small foundry a 
the present day. 

Mr. Millard remained in partnership for about a year, selling out his interest at the end ( 
that time to Mr. Hugh Sells, who subse([uently sold to Messrs. AV. R. and George S. Griswolc 
In 1800, Mr. E. B. Fargo also retired, his interest passing into the hands of Mr. J. E. Farg< 
to whom lie sold for §2,UU0. The business was then conducted by Messrs. Griswold, Fargo ( 
Co. until 1868, when the Agricultural Manufacturing Company of Lake Mills was formed, wit 
a stock company of §30,000, in shares of $1,000 each. These were held as follows : Fargo • 
Harvev, §1,000; E. B. Fargo, §1,000; S. B. Gris^^old, §2.000; J. H. Myers, §1,000; S. I 
Hitchcock, §3,500 ; E. Styles, §500 ; S. Doty, §500 ; S. W. Hoyt, §1,000 ; G. W. Bisho] 
§500; W. R. Taylor, §1,000; M. N. Seward §1.000; J. E. Fargo, §4,000; W. R, Griswoh 
§7,000 ; George S. Griswold, §3,000 ; E. P. Brooks, §1,000, making a total of §28,000 paid-u 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 545 

apital. The Company remained in force until 1876, ivlien the present proprietors, Messrs. 
Jeorge S. Griswohl, S. P. Hitchcock and G. A. Williams, bought out the concern for 25 cents 
n the dollar of the amount above represented. In June of the same year, Mr. Williams pur- 
hased Mr. Hitchcock's interest, thus constituting the firm of Williams & Griswold, who, how- 
ver, continue to do business under the style and title of the "Agricultural Company." The 
Qost recent change is the purchase of the entire concern by Mr. Williams. 

The machinery principally manufactured consists of plows, seeders, wagons and general 
isirming implements. The amount of work turned out annually is worth about $30,000, and, 
n the season when seeders are in most demand, the firm employs some thirty men. The 
.mount of capital invested is about $20,000. 

Seaver's Oil-Tempered Knife Manufactory was started in 1875, by Mr. F. A. Seaver, 
fith $4,000 capital. He now has $5,000 invested, and will turn out this year, with five hands, 
,bout $5,000 worth of work. These knives find considerable favor throughout the States of 
iVisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota, with all of whom he has a large trade. Next year, he 
vill increase his facilities by the addition of a large trip hammer, which will enable him to pro- 
luce ten times more work than he has been in the habit of doing. 

Cigar Manufactorij. — In May, 1876, Messrs. A. P. Newton, A. Newton and G. H. New- 
on, trading as "Newton Bros.," started this important adjunct to the comfort of the sons of 
nen, with about $1,000 capital. The first year they employed three hands, and turned out 
500,000 cigars. They have now a capital of $3,500 invested, and give employment to six hands, 
vhose pay-roll foots up $70 per week. Tliey sliip principally to Denver, Colo., and manufacture 
argely for home consumption. The leaf used is purchased principally in Milwaukee. 

The Flouring- Mill. — Upon the completion of the mill, in 1842, Capt. Keyes ran it during 
he winter, and in the spring Messrs. Miles Millard and Roswell Picket bought the property, 
ncluding nearly all of the present site of the village, and 120 acres of farming land adjoining 
jaying for it $5,500. Mr. Picket retained possession of his share until 1846, when he sold 
t to Mr. Millard, who controlled it until 1850, when he sold out to Mr. Enoch Fargo. That 
jentleraan retained it until 1854, but again disposed of it to a Mr. Hulburt, who sold out to 
Vlr. Samuel Lewis, who traded it back again to Mr. Fargo. He kept it for about eighteen 
nonths, and then disposed of it to a Mr. Buck, who retained possession of it until 1874, 
when he sold out to the present proprietor, Mr. C. C. Smith. In 1875, that gentleman added 
iteam power to it, so that he has now about $12,000 invested in the venture. It is a two-run 
Bill, with a capacity of about one hundred bushels per day. The grinding done is principally 
[or home consumption, and that known as " custom work." 

Lake Mills Cheese Factory was started in April, 1878, by Mr. E. B. Fargo, with $1,400 
capital. That year he turned out, with one man, 72,000 pounds of cheese. This year, he 
thinks he will turn out about the same amount. His trade is principally with New York, to 
which city he ships very largely, although he manufactures considerably for home consumption. 

THE PRESS. 

Lake Mills has a weekly newspaper, the Spike, published and edited by A. G. Bernard. 
It is a twenty-eight-column journal, bright and spicy, full of news, good advice and sound opin- 
ion. The Spike has just entered upon its second volume, and has the appearance of being in 
the enjoyment of liberal support and extended patronage. It is independent in politics. 

EARLY INCIDENTS. 

The First Brick House vias built in 1845, by Mr. William Bragg, directly opposite the 
old tavern on the Aztalan road, and still stands. 

The First Store was opened in 1842 by Boyington Paine, who kept all manner of goods, 
but few of them. 



546 HISTORY OF .TEFFERSOX COUXTY. 

The First Tavern was opened in the building now known as the " Lakeside House," ir 
1843, by Morgan L. Bartlett, the only change being the addition of a new front which has 
been made within the past few years. 

The First Marriage. — The young people credited with having first called the attention ol 
that much-abused myth, the "pilgrim of love," to Lake Mills, are Thomas C. Dancy anc 
Arvilhi Wordwell, now residing in Palmyra. The next was a double marriage, that of Mr 
Abel Keyes and Miss Mary Cutler and Mr. George Hyer and Miss Katie Keyes, who wen 
married upon the same day. in the year 184-3, the day being observed as one of general rejoic 
ing, the whole village and part of Madison being present. 

The First Birth. — The hero of this most important event is believed to have been i 
daughter to the wife of George Farmer, who first saw light in the village of Lake Mills, ii 
the year of grace 1839, though it is conceded that Henry Atwood was the first in the neigh 
borhood, he having become an inmate of this vale of tears as early as 1840. 

The First Death in this village was that of the father of Capt. Joseph Keyes, who driftec 
out on to the unknown sea in 1843. 

ET CETERA. 

There are three Lodges in Lake Mills— Sagola Lodge, No. 27, I. 0. 0. F., D. G. Frazer 
N. G., and 0. L. Ray, Secretary ; Lake Mills Lodge, No. 46, F. & A. M., 0. L. Ray, Wor 
shipful Master, and S. R. Teed, Secretary; Rock Lake Temple, T. of H. & T., F. Crump. W 
C. T., and M. Myers, W. R. 

Lake Mills is situated on the east side of Rock Lake, a romantic sheet of water mucl 
admired by tourists and others. The village limits comprise one-fourth of Sections 11, 12, 1-: 
and 14, Town 7 north. Range 13 east. 

J. B. Chesmore is the present Postmaster. 

Kroghville Post Office. — Located in Section 19, town of Lake Mills. It was surveyed ii 
1852 by J. D. Waterbury, and platted as a village by Casper Krogh, who built a saw-mil 
there in 1845. 

The leading industrial enterprise in Kroghville is the patent-cultivator factory of Mi 
Krogh. There are also a cheese-factory, an artificial limb factory, a post ofiice, stores, black 
smith-shops and other institutions going to make up an enterprising and prosperous settlement 

The town of Lake Mills comprises within its borders some of the finest agricultural lam 
in the State. 



HEBRON AND ITS SURROUNDINGS. 

The following historical sketch, from the pen of Mr. Mark Curtis, now a resident of Hebron 
is a most interesting paper on the subject of the early settlement of the southeastern portion o 
Jefferson County. Mr. Curtis proves himself to be a close observer of passing events, and h 
has labored with a zeal, untiring and faithful, in collecting his facts, that is only equaled by hi 
extraordinary ability to thoroughly develop and bring to light the' reminiscences of the pasi 
The article speaks for itself: 

" A correct history of the town of Hebron embraces many things that are outside of th 
town, but are intimately connected with it, and a history of Hebron is of itself a history in pai 
of the adjoining towns. Hon. Milo Jones, of Fort Atkinson, who was one of the Governmen 
Surveyors, and had a large contract for surveying in the eastern portion of Wisconsin, am 
whose services ran back to 1834, while on a visit to Milwaukee, made mention of the fact tha 
there was a good water-power out about fifty miles on Bark River. 

"A party, consisting of Solomon Juneau, *Daniel Willis, Jr., *Elisha W. Edgertor 
David Sargent, *Thomas Holmes and Henry Miller (the last-named was for twenty-five o 

•still living. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 547 

more years connected with the great banking-house, as an employe and partner, of D. 0. Mills 
& Coe), left Milwaukee, and, after a journey of seventeen days, arrived at the site of where the 
tillage of Hebron now is, during the month of November, 1835, and immediately built a claim 
Bhanty on tlie point of land that runs into the pond, and near where the present dam is thrown 
icross the river. This being the first claim, and the parties improving it, made in Jefferson 
County. 

" The parties who made this claim formed a company, known as the Rock River Land and 
Claim Company. David Sargent passed the winter of 183-5 and 1836 here, living alone and 
looking after the interests of his company, being the first white man to pass an entire winter 
(v'ithin what is now the boundaries of Jefferson County; although there are traditions that trap- 
pers had lived here portions of the year previous to this, but the claim that Sargent was the first 
ffhite man to winter here in Jefferson County, cannot be successfully disputed. The Company 
before mentioned sent out a working party and dammed the river about eighty rods above the 
present dam during the spring and su-mmer of 1836, and also commenced a saw-mill, which was 
located very near where the flouring-mill of L. Doud now stands. A race was dug that was near 
sixty rods long. The mill was completed so as to commence work, and sawed the first board 
February 11, 1837. There were two living witnesses of the 'opening' — Rufus C. Dodge, of 
Fort Atkinson, and Zenas Roberts, residence unknown to the writer. Dodge was a blacksmith, 
md was the 'smithy ' of the saw-mill, as well as the cook for the men working during the winter. 
Phis mill was the first one built north of Dixon, 111., on Rock River, or any of its tributaries. 

" The mill was put under the charge and management of Horace Churchill (who was 
irowned near Sacramento, Cal., in 1878), but did not prove a financial success to its projectors 
ind builders. It changed hands a number of times, and, finally, was transferred to John T. 
Fields, and by him it was sold to Joseph Powers, Esq., in 1845. Mr. Powers was a machinist 
3y trade, a man of energy and indomitable perseverance, and, from the time he became the pur- 
chaser, the mill was a success, doubtless owing in part to the rapid settlement of the country, and 
;he increased demand for lumber. Soon after becoming proprietor, he built a factory for the 
uanufacture of bedsteads, the first one for the manufiicturing of furniture by machinery west of 
;he lakes, and, in the little shop here in the heavy timber, was the pioneer in making cheap 
iiirniture in Wisconsin. It might be here stated that the Wisconsin Furniture Manufacturing 
[Jompany, with its immense business at Fort Atkinson, is but the outgrowth of this little shop 
jrected here a third of a century ago. The products of the factory were hauled by teams to the 
;hen rapidly growing towns that had sprung up in Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. 

" About 1852, the saw-mill was rebuilt upon its present site, and the same year a flouring- 
nill was erected by Mr. Powers. The flouring-mill was burned down in the spring of 1855, and 
•ebuilt the same season, by C R. Barnes, now of Kansas, who had a contract for the purchase 
)f the property. The shop grew to be a building over one hundred feet long, and two stories 
ligh, and was burned in 1866. The burning of the flouring-mill was the first fire of any amount 
)ccurring in town. It cost $10,000 to rebuild it, which so crippled Mr. Barnes financially that 
;he property came back into the hands again of Mr. Powers. The loss by the burning of the 
shop was fully $10,000 more, which was not oidy a loss to Mr. Powers, but to the entire town, 
'or it was the cause of removing an established industry, and took away from town thirty to fifty 
aboring men. 

" Cyrus Cushman erected a saw-mill since known as Cushman's Mill, situated two and a half 
niles north of Hebron Village, in 1844, and afterward added a turning-shop for the manufacture 
)f bedsteads and such other articles as he could find a ready market for. It took two days to 
•aise this mill. Cushman had fifty men at the raising. A storm of sleet and rain came on, fili- 
ng the mortices, :ind froze so hard, and it was nearly as much work to cut out the ice as it was 
;o frame the building in the first place. 

"Jesse Wright built the steam saw-mill known as Wright's Mill in 1852. Previous to the 
)uilding of the mill, he was engaged in the manufacture of flour-barrels on an extensive scale, 
carrying on other branches of coopering. 



548 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUXTY. 

" In 1853. Thuvlow W. Brown, renowned as a temperance lecturer, and the editor of the 
Cayufia Chief, of Auburn, X. Y., together with Samuel T. Clothier, purchased a tract of land 
on the north side of the river, and opposite the village of Hebron, and laid out an addition to 
the village. In 1854, they built a steam saw-mill, which was torn down in 1868, and now forma 
a part of the warehouse of the Wisconsin Manufacturing Company, of Fort Atkinson. 

"BARK RIVKR. 

" Previous to the year 1840, the Territory of Wisconsin was divided into three counties for 
judicial and other purposes, viz. : Brown, Crawford and Milwaukee. During the session of the 
Territorial Legislature of that year, new counties w^ere created, and, among them, the county of 
Jefferson, and subdivided into towns, the four government townsliips of the southeast corner 
taking the name of Bark River, which comprised and included what is now the towns of Cold 
Spring, Hebron, Sullivan, Palmyra, and all that part of Town 6, Range 15 east, which is now 
a part of tlie town of Jefferson. 

'■The first town meeting of the town of Bark Kiver was held April 5, 1842, at the house 
of Abram Brink, in what is now the village of Cold Spring, and from the minutes of that meet- 
ing we copy : 

" Mectiiig ciUeil to order. .Vhram Brink was elecleil Cliairnian of the meeting, and D. Merrill electeil Clerk. 
The following named were elected by ballot to fill the various offices: Supervisors — D. Merrill (Chairman). V.. 
Dames and Cyrus Cushraan ; -Vbrarn iiriiik, Town Clerk ; 1). Merrill, Assessor; Ira Fisk, Trea-surer; Selli Siiialley, 
A. Balser and .Justus Carpenter, Commissioners of Schools ; .V. IJradley, KenslaerRing and K. \V. Crawe, Commission- 
ers of Highways. Cyrus Cushman was elected Overseer of Highways for Towns 5 and (i, Range llj, now Palmyra and 
Sullivan; Harrison 1*. Willard, Seth Snialley and E. Uaws elected Fence Viewers. C'ompensalion voteil to ofiiccra 
for the ensuing year : School Commissioners, $2 a day; Commissioners of Highways, $1..'>0; Town Clerk, SI 50; 
Supervisors, $1 Number of voles polled, 32. 

" The amount raised by general tax for the year, as certified by Abram Brink, Town Clerk, was $1.35. 

"The first election held was for Delegate to Congress, and held at the mill-house of the 
Bark River Mills, now Hebron, September 10, 1837. There were seven votes cast, Cyrus Cushman 
being selected as the messenger to carry the returns to Milwaukee. Mr. Cushman was paid $8 
for this onerous task. Horace Churchill was one of the Inspectors of Election. James Duane 
Doty was ihe man voted for and elected. 

" The ne.xt annual t)wn meeting of the town of Bark River was held at Abram Brink's, in 
April, 1843. Willard Grant, William Mulks and Justus Carpenter, were elected School Com- 
missioners, and met April 17, and divided the town into nine school districts. They reported 
that there were seventy-eight children of school age in town, and §140 of public money to be 
apportioned. 

" At an election held at the house of Abram Brink, in the town of Bark River, Septem- 
ber 25, 1843, there were 20 votes cast for Delegate to Congress. Henry Dodge received lU, and 
George W. Hitchcock 1. George F. Markley received 19 for Register of Deeds; Enoch G. 
Darling, 16 for County Treasurer ; Russell M. Nevens, 16 for Coroner ; Chester May, Sr., 3 ; 
Milo Jones for County Surveyor, l'.'. The following named, long-since residents of Hebron, 
appear on the poll list, namely, D. F. Jones, Amos Gibbs, William Whopples, James R. Fuller 
and H. J. Munro. 

•• A special election was held at the house of H. P. Willard for the election of a Justice of 
the Peace, and Albert Burnham was elected, being the first to hold that office within the present 
boundaries of the town of Hebron. 

" At the annu;il town meeting held in the house of A. Brink, Cold Spring, in 1844, D. J. 
Powers, S. M. Jones and Ashel Boyington were elected Supervisors : N. S. Ilibbard, Allen 
Hays and Jonas Foils, Commissioners of Highways; Darius Reed, Justus Carpenter and P. H. 
Turner, Justices of the Peace ; Peter II. Turner, Assessor. Fifty-one votes polled. 

" In 1845, D. J. Powers was again elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, and 
John Fish, Town Clerk. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 549 

"The Territorial Legislature of 1846, passed an act dividing the town of Bark River, as 
follows : Town 5 north, of Range 16 east, in Jefferson County, is hereby set off into a separate 
town by the name of Sullivan, and the next town meeting shall be held at John Nutters. Town 
6, north of Range 1-5 east, in said county, is hereby set off into a separate town by the name of 
Tunbridge, and the next town meeting to be held at the house of Cyrus Cushman. Township 
5, Range 16 east, is hereby set off into a separate town, by the name of Palmyra, and the elec- 
tion to be held at the schoolhouse in the village of Palmyra, and Town 5, Range 15, to be known 
as tlie town of Bark River, and the election to be held at the schoolhouse in the villacre of Cold 
Spring. 

" At the town meeting held April 7. 1846, at Cold Spring (Brink's Mills), Jonas Folts, E. 
T. Williams and Samuel Wing, were elected Supervisors; Ebenezer Giles, Town Clerk; D. B. 
Peck, J. K. Pike and P. A. Fenner. Justices of the Peace; Nelson Freyer, Assessor; Noah 
Grover, Collector; Isaac Joslin, Noah Grover and Elijah Higgins, Constables. The sum of 
$150 was voted for incidental expenses, and there was also voted ' to E. Giles and J. H. Fuller, 
$6 for making a coffin for Mrs. Smith's mother.' During this year an election was held to ratify 
the Constitution and to vote for or against a State government ; 54 votes were polled ; 31 in 
favor of the Constitution and in favor of a State government, and 33 against. This year, 
a post office was established at Bark River Mills and D. P. Jones appointed Postmaster. 
The list of Postmasters of Bark River Mills is as follows : D. F. Jones, Seth Patee, George 
Trucks, S. T. Clothier, James M. Fitch, Mathew Washburn, E. S. Snow, S. W. Bailey, James 
M. Fitch, C. W. Biden. In 1868, the name of the office was changed from Bark River Mills 
to Hebron, and C. W. Biden appointed Postmaster. He was succeeded by C. W. Biirrington, 
and he by James B. Miner, he by Mrs. Justin Alvord, and she by Mrs. Amelia J. Norman, the 
present incumbent." 



THE TOWN OF TUNBRIDGE. 

The town of Tunbridge was Township No. 6, Range 18 east of the Government Subdivis- 
ion, and being the north half of the town of Hebron and the "' L " part of the town of Jeffer- 
son, and was organized pursuant to an act of the Legislature, and named by Cyrus Cushman 
after his native town in the State of Vermont. The first town meeting was held at his house 
April 7, 1846. 

There were 52 votes polled. The officers elected were as follows : 

Samuel T. Clothier, Chairman, S. B. McCune and John Jackson, Supervisors ; Edward 
F. Hutchins, Town Clerk : Samuel T. Clothier, Justice of the Peace ; Rufus H. Parker, Dan- 
iel Marble and Spencer Thayer, Commissioners of Highways ; Samuel T. Clothier, Edward F. 
Hutchins and Willard Grant, Scliool Commissioners ; William Reynolds, Collector ; H. J. 
Munro, Treasurer ; Truman Martin, Sealer of Weights and Measures. Willard Grant was 
Moderator, and S. B. McCune, Clerk of the meeting. 



LET THE EAGLE SCRE.4M. 

There was a Fourth of July celebration held in the town that year, in the grove of David 
S. Wilcox, and a<ljoining the grounds of the Munro Schoolhouse. The late Gov. John E. 
Holmes delivered the oration ; one of the Elder Dyes was Chaplain ; Deacon James R. Dye 
and Elias Reynolds, fifers; Rev. Enoch P. Dye beat the snare drum, and Rev. Daniel Dye, the 
bass drum. 

The dinner was served in the grove, and the meat cooked a la barbecue. An out-door oven 
did service in baking bread, cake and pies. Half of the township contributed milk for the mak- 
ing of a mammoth cheese. The dinner was free to all wlio chose to partake. The celebration 
•was in every respect a success, and enjoyed by the ''settlers" of adjoining towns. 



550 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUXTY. 

This was the only festive occasion in the town of Tunbridge, for, the winter following, th( 
Territorial Legislature repealed the act organizing the town of Tunbridge, and, after an exist- 
ence of one year, disappeared as a town in Jefferson County. 



TOWN OF HEBRON. 

In pursuance of an act of the Legislature of 1847, Hebron was organized, taking the 
south half of Township No. 6 north, of Range 15 east, and all north of Bark River and Scup' 
ernong Creek, of Township 5 north, of Range 15 east. The north half of Township No. ( 
(Tunbridge). was attached to Jefferson, and the name Tunbridge dropped. The town of Cold 
Spring, was to include all of Township 5, Range 1 5 east, south of Bark Biver, and the town name 
of Bark River dropped. The first town meeting was held April 7, 1847, and the following- 
named persons were elected to fill the respective offices : 

Supervisors — Samuel T. Clothier, Chairman ; Enos J. Higbee and Seth Patee. Town 
Clerk, Seth Patee ; Treasurer, John Burnham ; Collector, Samuel M. Jones ; Commis- 
sioners of Schools — Samuel T. Clothier, Vinson Covley and Elias Reynolds. Commissioners ol 
Highways — Daniel Marble, Gideon Leavitt and Corydon Culver. Constables — Elijah Higgins 
and W. R. Case. 

A resolution was passed fixing the salary of the officers elect at $1 a day ; it appropriated 
§25 for the support of the poor and $75 to inclose cemetery grounds. The first official act oi 
the Commissioners of Highways was to lay out a highway from what is now known as the 
Water Street road to intersect the highway running from the village of Hebron to Fort Atkin- 
son, May 4, 1847. The Commissioners of Schools districted the town into districts for school 
purposes. There were eighty-seven children of school age ; $111.34 school money to apportion. 
The first highway laid out and established through the town of Hebron was in 1842. The 
Legislature of the Territory passed an act making Cyrus Curtis, James Y. Watson and William 
A. Barstow, Commissioners, and authorized them to lay out and establish a Territorial road, 
commencing at Prairie Village, in Milwaukee County, and running thence westerly on the 
soutli of the heavy timber-lands lying between Prairie Village and Rock River, by the nearest 
and best route, crossing the Scupernong Creek in Township 5, Range 10 east, and terminating 
at Fort Atkinson, in Jeflerson County. Hon. Milo Jones was the surveyor, and Cyrus Cush- 
nian, one of the chain-men. 

The village of Hebron was laid out by Joseph Powers, in 1847, John Fish, surveyor. 
Mr. Powers never recorded this plat, and, in 1856, he caused an additional survey to be made 
and additional ground platted by F. J. Starin, which was recorded. 

The first schoolhouse in town was the log or block schoolhouse of District No. 2. and 
known as the Munro Schoolhouse for years. It was built in 184-3. The first school tauglit in 
town was by Miss Lucy Ann Wakely, afterward the wife of Col. L. A. Winchester, of White- 
water. Miss Wakely commenced her school in the chamber of the dwelling of William Rey- 
nolds, but on the completion of the schoolhouse, her class was transferred to it. Miss Wakely 
was taken sick before completing her terra and Willard Grant employed to finish it. The next 
schoolhouse was the log one built in the Burnham neighborhood (District No. 4) in 1846. 
Luther B. Green was employed as teacher. District No. 1 (the Whitney District) completed a 
schoolhouse during the year 1846, E. H. Hubbard being employed a-s teacher. The village 
schoolhouse was built in 1850. The Wright (or District No. 6) Schoolhouse was built in 1856. 
Cushman's (No. 5) in 1854. The schoolhouses built in 1843 and 1846, have given way to 
fine brick structures that will compare favorably with a like number in any rural town in the 
State. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUKTY. 551 

HEBRON AND THE WAR. 

The town of Hebren raised its quota of men under each call of the President of the United 
3tates for volunteers. At a special town meeting, held September 12, 1862, the following res- 
)lutions were adopted : 

Resolved, That we raise money for the support of volunteers in town. 

Resolved, That there be raised, on the taxable pvoperty of the town, $200, to be expended as provided in Sec. 
! of Chap. 2 of an act entitled "An act to provide assistance for volunteers." 

Previous to this, the citizens of the town contributed liberally, both in money and provis- 
ons, to such of the families as stood in need of aid. On March 2, 1862, the Town Board 
•eported that they had expended of the " family relief fund," in relieving the wants of the fam- 
lies of volunteers, the sum of $98.77. March 3, 1863, the Town Board reported, as being 
ine.xpended, the sum of $37.77. Without going into details, it is sufficient to say the vouchers 
md evidences are among the archives of the town ; that the town paid in bounties, by tax and 
lubscription, and in aid to families of and for volunteers, the sum of $22,000, and this by a 
)opulation only a little in excess of one thousand. Of the number that went into the service 
it the call of their country, was Bailey Hutchins and Norman Morton ; both died in the Ander- 
onville prison-pen. Thomas Duffy was shot and killed at the assault on Port Hudson. James 
kl. Burnham and Renselaer Burnham were both prisoners of war, but strong constitutions 
mabled them to survive the horrors and privations of prison life in "Dixie." Ansel Strong 
ras for a considerable space of time in Libby Prison. Of those who served in the army during 
he rebellion and are residents of the town, we recall the names of John Garlock, A. F. Win- 
lau and H. C.Westphall, of the Fourth Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment; Jedediah Carnes, James 
\i. Burnham, Ansel Strong, Walter P. Hall, Martin Van Duser, Charles C. Brown, George S. 
^ase, George Coppins, De Witt Wilcox, Charles F. Klityke, W. G. Palmer and Henry Car- 
nan were members of different infantry organizations. W^. F. Reynolds, First Cavalry ; Alfred 
Uooley, M. H. Blakely, Robert Krause, William E. Evans and John Van Lone were members 
if the heavy artillery, stationed at Washington. Americus W. Jones and William Hall 
lelonged to and served in a battery; James Fryer ^\as also a member of a battery ; Walter B. 
'rimer served in an Illinois regiment ; Benjamin P. Tubbs was also in an Illinois regiment. 
Phere are three persons in receipt of pensions, namely : Ansel Strong, for a gunshot wound ; 
'Valter B. Primer, the same, and Henry C. Westphall, general disability. Mrs. Philena Hun- 
er receives a pension on account of the death of her son, William Hunter, a member of the 
rwenty-eighth Regiment, who died of disease while in the service. The town purchased a plat 
if ground for a cemetery, which was duly laid out into lots in 1868, and four lots in the center 
eserved for a soldiers' monument, which the people of the town intended to erect ; but it is now 
. little doubtful about its ever being completed, at least for a number of years to come. 

CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES. 

The Rev. Mr. Frink, of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church, organized the first Church soci- 
ty in 1889. The church edifice was commenced while the Rev. Hilton was in cliarge of the 
ociety, in 1854, and completed and dedicated a year or two later. The .society and Church 
lave had for Pastors, Revs. Mills, Ilazeltine, Hilton, Hollock, Rowe, Ross, Moffet. Chamber- 
ain, Frink, Lyman, Parsons (three years). Potter, Wanless, Chapin, Cooley, Cole, Fisher (two 
'ears). Porter, Bristol, Garvin and l)ale. 

T/ie First Baptist Church. — Rev. William Dye moved to Hebron in November, 1857, and 
ommenced preaching, but, previous to his coming, a few Baptist believers had been duly organ- 
ze<l and recognized as a branch of the Whitewater Baptist Church, with the privilege of hold- 
ng covenant meetings. The preaching of Elder Dye was attended with success, a great revival 
leing the result. April 29, 1858, at an adjourned meeting of the Baptist Churches of White- 



/)52 HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

water, Palmyra, Edgerton ami Aztalan, the First Baptist Church of Hebron was established am 
recognized as an independent body. It adopted twenty articles of faith and had forty-sevei 
members, the Rev. William Dye, Pastor, the number of members ultimately reaching fifty-six 
Preaching was kept up till 1862. Mr. Dye was a man of good native talents, and well calcu 
lated for the pioneer work he found ready for his hands among the hard}' settlers of "' Barl 
Woods." He died at the Insane Hospital, at Madison, in 1863. The Church, since his death 
has been without preaching, other organizations absorbing its members. 

Rev. E. P. Dye settled in the town in 1845, and with his calling — that of a preacher c 
the Gospel — he engaged in farming. He was a resident of the town about twenty years, bu 
during the time he received a call from a Church in New York, whither he went and stayed abou 
three years. 

Rev. E. P. Fay came and settled in the town in 1844. 

Of the young men who have resided in the town and have become ministers, the Rev. E. L 
Eaton, of the M. E. Church, is one of the most successful young ministers in the Wisconsi 
Conference, and is at Beloit for the third year. Austin and D. J. Whitney, sons of Davi 
Whitney, belong to the United Brethren, and are quite successful in their calling. 

Resolute Lodge, No. 191, I. 0. G. T.. was instituted July 9, 1864. It prospered finel 
for a time. It had upward of two hundred members, and owned its own hall and a library c 
standard works, which cost over ^200, but finally ceased to exist in 1874. 

The Gentennial Lodge, No. 23S, was organized in May, 1876, and now (November, 187^ 
is stronger than ever before. Its work is mostly among the young, while efforts are put forth t 
save the downfallen among those of mature age. 

The Hebron Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., was organized November 24, 1876, by Grand Worth 
Master J. W. Ostrander. The cliarter members were Lorenzo Dow Abbey, Robert Krause 
Daniel P. Elmendorf, Milton Henry Blakely, George W. Case and Myron Ilollis. The follow 
have been Noble Grands : L. D. Abbey, William Henry Miner, James B. Miner, Charles C 
Brown, Barber W. Miner, Silas G. Westphall and J. Osborn Stevens. The total membership i 
fifty-two. Twelve have withdra\tn and organized a Lodge at the village of Rome. 

An Anti-Tiiief Society was organized October 26, 186-3, and, at one time, had upward c 
seventy-five member.'!. The first President was John Burnham ; Vice President, D. D. Burring 
ton ; Treasurer, Joseph Powers ; Secretary, John G. Kidlcy. At the present time, it has §-3 
in the treasury. H. J. Munro is Treasurer. 

The Jefferson County Agricultural Society. — Tlie Jefferson County Agricultural Societ 
was organized in Hebron, in 18.52. The first officers of the Society were elected here and thei 
names will be found in the Society's history, in another part of this work. 

The Hebron Mutual and Farmers' Life Insurance Company, was organized during th 
year 1875, Jonas Folts, President, and L. B. Green, Secretary. Mr. Green has been the Sec 
rctary since the organization of the Company. The Company has upon its books about 3120 
000. Its first loss occurred in October, 1879, and necessitated an assessment of 4 mills on th 
valuation of the property insured. 

SOME OF THE FIRST THINfiS. 

The first physician who settled in the town was Joel Higgins, in 1847. The next was Di 
W. H. H. Drake, in 1848. Dr. D. D. Burrington settled here in 1853, and lived here until hi 
decease, in 1872. Dr. S. G. Picket came in 1868. and still resides here. Dr. J. Sanborne sel 
tied here in 1874, and remained one year. Dr. D. W. Case came in the spring of 1871 
and remained till the spring of 1878 ; and Dr. J. Mahan came in May, 1879, and is still 
resident. 

The first cabinet-maker was Seth Patee. He came in 1845. and remained until his deati 
in 1861. 

The first shoemakers were John Devore and his son. Hartley Devore, wlio came in 1846. 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 553 

The first mercliant was Elijah Higgins, in 1848. lie and D. F. Jones ran an ashery, and 
from that Higgins started a store. 

The first bhicksmith was Rufus C. Dodge, in 18-36. 

The first bridge built across Bark River was at Prince's Point, and the work was done and 
the material furnished voluntarily by the inhabitants, without taxing the town, and the sixty 
rods of corduroy across the marsh to get to the bridge was built in the same way. 

The next bridge across the river was three-fourths of a mile below the village, and w'as 
built without tax. The people, after getting the frame up, were too poor to buy plank, got out 
poles and spotted them down, which answered the purpose of a plank covering for six #r eight 
years. In 1877, the town built an iron bridge across the river< on the site of the pole bridge, 
It a cost of §1,200. After the mail route was established, the people took hold and put up a 
bridge across the river just below where the dam now is, and it is needless to add that it was 
lone by voluntary labor. 

The first roads opened by voluntary labor are the ones leading to Fort Atkinson and 
Whitewater. 

The first brickmaker was D. F. Jones. 

The first charcoal-burner was Azariah Cooley. 

W. 11. Case hauled the first load of maple-wood to Whitewater from the town. Hon. S. 
ft'^akely was- the purchaser, giving a pair of stoga boots for two cords of maple-wood. Case 
jroke down two wagons in hauling it. 

WHO WERE AND ARE THE OLD SETTLERS ? 

Horace Churchill and Hamilton McCuUom were in charge of the saw-mill in 1837 and 
1838. William Reynolds moved to Wisconsin in 1836, and to Hebron in 1838, and settled on 
:he farm adjoining the one where he lived for twenty years previous to his death, which occurred 
n September, 1878. Samuel M. Jones and Darius F. Jones settled in town during the sum- 
ner of 1838 ; Harrison P. Willard, in 1839. William Whapples and David Bartlett came 
luring the summer of 1836, and to Hebron in 1841, and opened up farms on Sections 3 and 4. 
Fonas Folts came to Wisconsin in 1835, made his first purchase of property in Milwaukee and 
nade a tour into the interior, going as fiir as Janesville, or where Janesville now is. There was 
lot a single house between Milwaukee and Rock River at that time. He returned East in the 
"all, was married, and came to Milwaukee with his wife in the spring of 1836 and erected a 
louse. During the summer, he moved to the town of Summit, Waukesha County, and opened 
ip a farm, where he continued to reside until 1841, then moved to the State of New York, 
yhcre he remained until his return to Wisconsin in the spring of 1843, when he bought out 
David Rartlett, and, by other purchases, he had a farm of 500 acres, and here he made his home 
iiitil his death, June 24, 1876, except one year at Jefferson, in 1847, when he was Register of 
Deeds. 

Holsey J. Munro and David S. AVilcox settled on the farms where they continue to reside, 
n 1842. William Grant made a claim near Cushman's Mill in 1842, but sold it and purchased 
I farm, the one on which he has continued to reside since 1843, except the years he was Register 
)f Deeds and County Treasurer. His settlement dates from 1842. 

All)ert Riirnham, John Burnham, Amos Gibbs and his father Gibbs, Gideon Leavitt, 

A..-B. Eaton, John Jackson, S. B. McCune, Johnson McCune, Robert Wilson, Cyrus Cush- 
nan, Abel C. Cushmati, Robert Barclay, Will Mitchell and Squire Brown settled during the 
?ear 1843 ; Carlton S. Crittenden, Lafayette Fox, Lant Marble, Daniel Marble, Samuel T. 
jlotiiier, William Moore, William Brink, John Ritter, Joseph Green, James R. Dye, Clark Wil- 
)ur, Rufus H. Parker, J. R. Van Norman, William R. Case, Chancey N. Torrey and Spencer 
riiayer. during the year 1844 ; Billings Baldwin, Corydon Culver, Abraham Sanford, .John 
Porter, Edward F. Hutchins, Truman C. Martin, Daniel Case, George Remmington, Marshall 
forrey, James Paterson, Charles Record, James Schoffer, R. A. Fenner, Asa Tyler, John A. 



554 HISTORY OF JEFFEKSOX COUXTY. 

AVilcox, James St. John, Amos H. Burnham, George Burnham and their father James Burn 
him, Jesse Wright, Adin Reynolds, Daniel Case, Orin Clark, Richard Rhodes, H. M. Johnson. 
E. H. and Jabez Hubbard and Sylvester Fox, came and made settlements in 1845 and 1846 
Enoch J. Higbee, Freeman Martin, William Noyes, with his sons William H., Simon H., Henr) 
and Wilder, and the Hays family, came in 1847. 

The following are the names of those who have lived in Hebron and have been called tc 
honorable positions in public life : Samuel T. Clothier. First Constitutional Convention, in 184(5 
Jonas Folts, Second Constitutional Convention, in 1847 ; George Trucks, H. K. Zimmermar 
and Al^nzo Brown, Sheriffs of Jefferson County ; Jonas Folts, Willard Grant, Registers o 
Deeds ; Charles T. Clothier, Clerk of Circuit Court ; D. F. Jones, Willard Grant, County 
Treasurers; Edward Vincent, Samuel T. Clothier, H. D. Barrow, Willard Grant, Jonas Folts 
members of the Wisconsin Assembly : Harrison Hutchins, Joseph E. Atwater, members of tli( 
Minnesota Legislature. 

Daniel Bullock, the manager and Superintendent of the Wisconsin Manufacturing Com 
pany, made his first settlement in Hebron, and was employed by Mr. Powers, as a wood-turner 

Dr. F. B. Brewer, of Fairbury, 111., has met with great suc'cess in the practice of his pro- 
fession, and his wife, the daughter of J. B. Miner, has achieved great popularity as a concert 
singer throughout Wisconsin, and being well known, her services, as a singer, are frequently 
called in requisition in the cities of Chicago, Milwaukee and Madison. There might be main 
incidents related of early times, but want of space precludes it. 

Harrison P. Willard and Cynthia Martin were married in 1844, being the first coupli 
married in the town. 

William and Susan Reynold had the first burial — a boy. in 1838. 

A WOMAN FOR A DOI,LAR. 

Walter Searls sold his wife to George Orcutt, the consideration being $1, he (Searls] 
releasing all his right, title and interest in the " jroods." Searls was a shiftless sort of a fellow, 
with a disposition to appropriate other people's property to himself, while Orcutt was a self 
reliant, wide-awake man — a blacksmith ; the woman, spirited and not .satisfied with her lot, was 
pleased to have the bargain consummated. Mr. and Mrs. Orcutt have been prosperous, and 
are respected citizens of a thriving town in an adjoining county. 

REMINISCENCES. 

H. J. Munro brought with him a dog, a cro-!S of the Newfoundland and bull terrier. 
" Cease " was fiimous as being the only dog that would give battle to the big gray wolf. He 
would close in with a wolf or wolves, no matter how great the odds were against him, and many 
a battle he had. At one time, a large, gray wolf was trapped, taken to a stable and let loose. 
Dogs were put into the stable with the wolf, but one snap from the animal would send them 
howling to a corner. Finally, old " Cease " was put in, and immediately closed with the wolf, 
and would have killed him had he been let alone. " Cease " would follow unerringly the tracks 
of a wounded deer. When he caught a deer, he would make a meal, then lie down, and witli 
howls, let his master know of his whereabouts. He was as well known as any of the old 
pioneers in the " settlement." His death was caused by the falling of a tree. His owner, 
Robert Wilson, mourned his death almost as he would one of his children. 

D F. Jones and his brother Samuel kept ''bach" for ten years, and their shanty was the 
place where the weary wayfarer could find shelter and food. D. F.'s culinary acquirements 
were famed from Rock River to the lakes. The brotiiers owned a single-barreled shot-gun. and, 
when pointed at game, would, like Crocket's coon, come right down. When loaded too heavy, 
its recoil was simply immense, and it was the custom of the last one that used it to leave a 
■heavy charge in it, then find some game that needed shooting and call for some one to come and 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 655 

ihoot, tlie result being that the shoutist would be prone upon the c^round with a painful shoulder 
)r fiice, most likely both. Willard Grant was at one time making the ferry of Bark River in 
a, canoe, the gun being placed the nearest to him intentionally, and, as some ducks were flying 
)ver, his companions called on him to shoot, the result being a man overboard and " Plausam " 
the name of the gun) to the bottom, where it remained some months. It is needless to add that 
when the wet man gained the shore, there was no one near enough for him to vent his wrath 
ipon. Many and many the joke that was played upon the unsophisticated with '' Old Plausam." 

Mrs. Mark Curtis is the oldest native-born person that was born in Wisconsin. She was 
jorn October 3, 1838, in the town of Summit, Waukesha County. 

Dr. S. G. Pickett is one of the oldest practitioners of medicine in the State. He came to 
iVisconsin in 1836 and has been in active practice of his profession ever since. 

Lyman Doud, the owner of the Hebron Flour-Mills, has been in business since 1842, his 
irst settlement being at Kenosha, and was one of the founders of the village of Port Washing- 
;on, Washington County. 

settlers' science. 

Henry Carey's theory seemed to hold good in the settlement of the town of Hebron, that 
uen never opened up the richest part of the country first, for it took more means where the soil 
was very rich than where it was poor — not that the soil of the timbered land is necessarily poorer 
m quality than on the openings or prairie, but that it took less to make a start in the tiraber- 
ands than on the prairie. The timber was at hand, and a man could cut enough for a fair-sized 
;og house in two days. Another day with the help of neighbors would roll it up, and a week's 
work of one man would get out the " shakes " and put on the roof, and if the settler was very 
poor, and a long ways from a saw-mill, he would get out logs and spot them down for the floor. 
Often, when unable to own a stove, the chimney and fire-place were made of mud and sticks, 
riius a comfortable dwelling would be erected by an outlay of a trifle for glass, and, in many 
instances, oiled paper, taking the place of glass. So, in clearing and fencing, a single yoke of 
3xen suiBced for all the team-work. Three or four acres were usually cleared the first year and 
planted to corn and potatoes, and, after a year or two, enough would be cleared for wheat,and as 
the country settled, there sprung up a demand for portions of the timber, first being for the better 
3lass of saw-lo2S and hewing timber, then staves for barrels. After awhile there came a limited 
demand for cord-wood. Charcoal burning was one of the industries that engaged quite a number, 
md in time the timber would pay for clearing the land, as it became worth something, and 
For the last ten or fifteen years the standing timber has been worth from $25 to $75 an acre. As 
timber became scarce men turned their attention to farming, and for the past few years dairying 
has occupied their attention. During the year 1878, there were nearly five hundred thousand 
pounds of cheese made in the town, and, in 1879, about the same amount. The assessed valua- 
tion of the town in 1878 was over half a million dollars. The total number of acres of land is 
18,318 ; almost one-third is marsh. Of the balance, which was heavy timber, but comparatively 
little yet remains save in a few instances. Cyrus Cushman has some two hundred acres — the 
estate of Jonas Folts fifty acres, and the estate of A. H. Burnham fifty acres; H. J. Munro, 
fifty acres ; estate of John Evans about the same amount. The town has not one dollar of cor- 
porate indebtedness. Only one school district is in debt, and this year it has made the neces- 
sary provisions for paying it. The farmers throughout the town are free from debt as a general 
thing. The habit of running in debt at the stores has never prevailed to any great e.xtent ; per- 
haps, for the reason that the first settlers were limited in resources, consequently their credit was 
the same, and the habit formed of paying for what they bought has been adhered to. 

THE present. 

There is one grist-mill, three run of stone, Lyman Droud, proprietor ; one mill for grind- 
ing feed, one run of stone, and a saw-mill belonging to the Wisconsin Manufacturing Company, 



556 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

of Fort Atkinson. Cyrus Cushman owns a saw-uiill and has in connection with it a run ol 
stone for grinding feed. Two general stores, A. F. Windau and Robert Krause, proprietors; 
two shoe-shops, Herman Rohde and Frederick Sipperb, proprietors ; one repair-shop, run bj 
F. B. Stiigg ; two blacksmith-shops, Bernard Grogan and Michael Grogan, proprietors ; Chris 
topher Grogan manufactures wagons ; one sorghum manufactory, L. B. Green, proprietor : foui 
cheese- factories, one of which is owned and managed by the Cold Spring Cheese Company, 
Of the other three — the Whitney and the Schleickenraair — Messrs. Clark and Reynolds are the 
proprietors. The Excelsior Cheese Company, of Oakland, are also interested in the manage- 
ment. There are three practicing physicians in the toivn. Alonzo McDaniels (Eclectic), S. G. 
Pickett and James Mahan (old school). The estate of John A. Wilcox owns a cider-mill, and 
some years manufactures six to eight hundred barrels of cider. 

FIRST SETTLER^;. 

William Reynolds was the first permanent settler in Hebron, Cyrus Curtis the first one in 
the town of Sullivan. He built the first house. Cyrus Cushman was the first man to wintei 
in the town of Sullivan, being the winter of 1837-38. Cushman built the second house am] 
Crowder the third. Alexander Henderson was the first settler of the town of Cold Spring 
(1837), and Abram Brink, of Brink's Mill, the second (1838). The people who first settled in 
Hebron, came from many different States, some from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Xew 
York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. Each came with strong convictions that the customs 
and laws from the locality from which he emigrated were the best, and men with wills and 
courage enough to hew homes for themselves out of the solid forest, were not ready to yield and 
give up without a struggle their long-established opinions. There was the usual bickering aboul 
roads and bridges, which are incident to the settlement of a new country. Their necessities caused 
them to form habits of concession. Men that backed a set of drag teeth or a plow, were not slow 
in coming to an agreement as to where was the proper place to locate a road or bridge. Those 
who have resided in Hebron are now to be found in as many different States as the States from 
which they came. Many of them live in Oregon, California, Colorado, Texas, Minnesota, 
Washington Territory, etc. The unrest that brought them here impels them to move on, 
buoyed up by the hope that the El Dorado will be reached at last. The fortitude and pluck 
exhibited by them in the years 1843 and 1846, when families were prostrated by the ague, is 
worthy of all praise. These years are still spoken of as the "sickly seasons." In many 
neighborhoods, there was not a person to be found who was not afllicted with the "shakes." 
There was but little homesickness, all having faith that cold weather would efl'cct a cure. 

ilOXORED DEAD. 

Of the old settlers, but few remain, and of these, the silvered heads, beards flecked with 
white and the stooping forms admonish us that their work is nearly done, and these few have 
been called upon to mourn within a few years the following who make up the roster of the old 
settlers' "honored dead," to wit: Edward F. Hutchins, Rufus H. Parker, Billings Baldwin, 
Spencer Thayer, Mrs. John Burnham, William Wliapj)les, David Bartlett, John Vanderwater, 
Amos Gibbs, John Hutchins, John Porter, Giles Porter. James R. Dye and wife, Mrs. Enoch 
P. Dye, Johnson McCune, James AVenham, Sr., Philadelphia, his wife, William Noyes and 
wife, Hartly M. Johnson, Elias Reynolds, his wife, Clarinda C. Reynolds, Mrs. Ruth Edwards, 
Dr. Jason Cushman, Jonas Folts, John A. Wilcox, A. E. Fuller, William Reynolds. Chancy 
N. Torrey, Amos H. Burnham, George Burnham. James Burnham, Sr., and wife, Josepii (ircen, 
Charles Johnson, Jason Rockwood, Alexander Graham, Robert Wilson, Dr. D. D. Burrington, 
Ebenyer H. Hubbard, Sylvester Fox, Samuel T. Clothier, J. R. Van Norman, A. S. Stevens, 
Jonathan Marsh, Sylvester Miner, Mrs. A. R. Eaton, Milton Blakcly, Seth Patee, Mrs. Nancy 
Patee, Mrs. D. F. Jones, their daughter, Elijah Higgins, the first merchant; Charles T. Clothier, 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 657 

Mrs. Powers, William Moore, William L. Blakely, William Brink, Mrs. Martin, John Evans, 
James Clay, Mrs. Polly Whopples, Daniel Case, James Paterson and Henry Ferguson. Requi- 
iscitt in pacn. 



AZTALAN. 

Especial interest attaches to this portion of Jefferson County, from the singular fact of its 
laving been the first point decided upon for the location of a village in this part of the Rock 
River Valley. But the most important part of its history is buried in the dim past, and, although 
some of the very brightest scientific men known to modern times have written exhaustive papers 
)n the subject of what they are pleased to term ''a prehistoric race," whose scions are believed 
;o have inhabited this region at some period between "the emergence of the land from the 
Dosora of Old Ocean," yet definite information as to the time of such habitation or the char- 
icter and origin of the people is lacking, and we are left to marvel over the antiquities some- 
;imes revealed to sight from the inner recesses of the grand old earth mounds of the " Ancient 
City," with far less accurate knowledge of their real nature and uses than the most ordinary 
nind possesses relative to the history of the wonderful articles recently exhumed by Dr. Schlie- 
nann from the ruins of Ancient Troy. The theory — not at all an unpopular one — -is advanced 
;hat the ancient Aztecs were once in possession of this region, and that ages ago they emigrated 
io Mexico, where tney have since degenerated, until their habits and barbarous customs entitle 
them to the very appropriate name of "Greasers." No satisfactory explanation of the cause 
for tliis emigration is given, but the one susceptible of the greatest plausibility is founded in the 
belief that they were harassed by the lightning-rod agents and bunko men, and, finally, when 
m ex-patent-right genius , with the word " Professor " prefixed to his ugly name, came round 
ind advertised to lecture upon the rascalities of his own ilk, ye ancient Aztec, with the facility 
«ith which a buttered onion glides from an oily saucepan, left for parts long to remain unknown ; 
bence the word " Greaser." 

No matter what the real history of the race of human beings who once inhabited the west 
bank of the Crawfish River may be, the wonderful evidence still remains that they belonged to 
an intellectual race. The place was first known to the whites of our own age during the time 
of Marquette and his brother Jesuits. The present generation discovered the mounds of what 
was afterward known as the "Ancient City" (now Aztalan, from the word Aztec), during the 
Black Hawk war, and their existence was not unknown to the first settlers in Southeastern Wis- 
consin, for they had heard of them from returned soldiers. Accordingly, when Thomas Bray- 
ton. James Payne, A. A. Brayton and his uncle, William Brayton, N. F. Hyer, Stephen Fletcher, 
Ruben Keene, J. F. Ostrander, H. H. Sedgewick and others, settled in that vicinity in 1836-37, 
they were not surprised to find the ridge south of the point where they built their homes dotted 
with huge pyramids of earth, the evident work of the hand and brain of man. 

In October, 1839, the first purchase of land was made from the Government, by Thomas Bray- 
ton and H. H. Sedgewick, each buying a quarter-section, and paying therefor .$1.2.5 per acre. The 
village was platted in 1841, by Thomas Brayton, Edward Abbe and J. F. Ostrander, from a sur- 
vey uuule by J. D. Waterbury, who settled there in 183U. The plat embraced twenty or thirty 
acres of land in Section 17, on the west side of the river, and, after being surveyed and recorded 
became, and for a long time remained, a village of great expectations. The chief employment 
of the settlers was catching fish and killing game, upon which they found themselves compelled 
to subsist. During the summer of 1839, before the Government land came into market, a few 
of the most enterprising settlers commenced the erection of a dam on the Crawfish, but aban- 
doned the enterprise when the homestead proclamation was made, and busied themselves with 
the slow but ultimately successful task of clearing the land and planting bread seeds. 



558 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

THE MAILS. 

The post office of Aztalan (the first in the county), was established in 1837, with N. F. 
llyer as the first Postmaster. To this institution Aztalan owed much for its early prominence. 
The inhabitants came from all directions for letters from their far-oft' friends at the East. As 
late as the winter of 1838, the mails were carried on a mans back each way from Waukesha 
(then Prairieville), to Madison, the carrier making weekly trips through the woods and across 
unbridged streams. For some time after the establishment of post offices at other points, Water- 
town in particular, Aztalan remained the distribution j)oint, whence the mail was taken by extra 
carriers. But the building of plank-roads, and, finally, railroads, caused many advantageous 
improvements upon this system. The names of the individuals who have held the office of Post- 
master since the first official term of Mr. Hyer are : James Payne, N. F. Hyer (again), James 
Payne (a second term), Benjamin Baldwin, H. B. Willard, P. N. Waterbury, D. 1. White and 
George Knapp. 

RELIGIOUS RECORD. 

It is said that missionaries of the Methodist persuasion visited Aztalan for the purpose of 
reclaiming the few wayward and graceless residents, as early as 1837. Services were usually 
held in the houses of believers, and later in the schoolhouse. But this denomination never 
attained sufficient strength to build a church. Divines of other creeds also came occasionally at 
an early day, but, as the population increased and yellow-legged chickens became more plenty, 
their visits were more regular and frequent. The Methodist fold went into final dissolution 
about 1865. 

The Baptists formed a society in 1839, with Elder Matthews as their spiritual adviser. 
The Elder will be remembered as entertaining strong abolition sentiments, and infusing his ser- 
mons with that doctrine, which, at that time, was regarded as being almost atheistical. What a 
change in forty years ! The Elder frequently went to Mineral Point to preach the Gospel and 
air his abolition belief and, upon one occlision, (in 1841), returned with well-defined marks of 
decayed eggs upon his sackcloth. The Aztalan Baptists built a church in 1873, but the society 
was merged with that of Lake Mills about ten years ago. 

The Rev. J. F. Ostrander, who was a theologian of an independent stripe, also preached 
occasionally in Aztalan, at a very early period. He generally officiated at funerals, and was 
regarded as the only person who could tie a substantial matrimonial knot and at the same time 
be satisfied with a bushel of potatoes as the equivalent of his fee. | 

SCHOOLS. 

The Rev. Mr. Ostrander taught the first school in Aztalan. Education received attention 
from the settlers quite as early as religion, and Mr. Ostrander was engaged to teach during the 
winter months, while his wife instructed a class of younger pupils during the summer. Mr. 
Ostrander will be remembered as having been identified with a project to establish what was to 
have been known as a "labor school." It was to have been located on the hill west of the vil- 
lage, ani the place was, for a long time, known as " College Hill." A section of land Was 
reserved for the purpose, and some funds were raised, which, however, when the project failed, 
were turned into the public-school treasury, and used in the construction of the first school- 
house in Aztalan, a frame building, which stood in the western portion of the village, and waa 
occupied for both educational and religious purposes until about 1852, when a brick edifice (still 
standing), was erected. The present schoolhouse was built about 1870, and in it is now taught 
a graded school. In the town of Aztalan, there are si.x brick schoolhouses, which are open 
about seven months in the year. In two of them German is taught, the population of the town 
being two of that tongue to one of all other nationalities. 



J^l^^ 



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^^^^^J/i /^^^z^^^2^ 



/"0/P7 ATKINSON 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 561 

THE FIRST. 

A. A. Brayton brought the first stock of goods to Aztalan, and opened a store in 1841. 

Dr. Bicknell was the first physician. His coming dates back to some time in 1838. He 
boarded around among the settlers. 

Judge N. F. Hyer, now of Fort Atkinson, was the first expounder of the law in the village, 
but the citizens Were so well behaved and agreeable that his professional services were seldom 
required. 

A STEAMBOAT. 

In December, 1840, N. P. Hawks, one of the early settlers in the town of Milford, but at that 
date a resident of Milwaukee, made his appearance in Aztalan and commenced agitating the ques- 
tion of building a steamboat on the Crawfish River to navigate its waters and those of the Rock 
River. Mr. Hawks succeeded in organizing a stock company, and a steamboat 100 feet in length 
was the result. In the spring of 1840, Capt. Hawks, after encountering considerable trouble in pass- 
ing down the Crawfish, owing to low water, steamed down Rock River to the Mississippi. Late in 
the fall of the same year, he again made his bow to thegoodpeopleof Aztalan, but he forgot to bring 
his steamboat with him. He said the craft was on the Mississippi, the water being so low that he 
was unable to bring her up ; that he would like to become sole owner of the boat, and would pay 
the stockholders 50 per cent of the amount they had invested, giving his note payable one year 
from date. His proposition was accepted and the notes were given. He then said he had a 
small stock of goods in Milwaukee and a little cash in his pocket, and he would take up his 
notes then and there, and pay oO per cent of their face value. The people's confidence in Mr. 
Hawks had begun to wane somewhat by this time, and cash and provisions being scarce in the 
neighborhood, this proposition was accepted also ; so the enterprising navigator saved quite a 
nice little sum out of the amount he had received for the steamboat before he made the double 
compromise with the stockholders. Such is life! 

TOWN OF AZTALAN. 

The first settlers in the town of Aztalan were Harvey and Volney Foster, near the present 
line between .Jefi'erson and Aztalan, Frederick Landt, Henry Pellet, .Jeremiah Brayton, George 
Hebard, .James L. Manville, Benjamin Babcock, Edward Abbe, Samuel Hosley, J. D. Water- 
bury, D. C. Pellet, Stephen Hanks, R. M. Nevins, E. L. Braman, H. Z. Britten and Harvey 
B. Smith. 

The first town election was held in the spring of 1842. at Aztalan, the township then 
comprising what are now the towns of Lake Mills and Waterloo, and the west half of Milford. 
M. R. Clapp, of Milford, was the first Chairman of the Town Supervisors. 

The Rock and Crawfish Rivers and the Chicago & North-Western Railway pass longitudi- 
nally through the town. As an agricultural and stock-raising region, the town of Aztalan has 
no superior in the State. 



WATERLOO. 

A prosperous village, situated in the extreme northwest corner of the county, in Sections 
5, C, 7 and 8 of the town of Waterloo, and inhabited by an enterprising population, variously 
estimated at from nine to fifteen hundred (about one thousand being the actual population) ; an 
important station on the Madison Branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, and 
one of the healthiest localities in the Northwest. 

Through the agency of Moses C. Kenyon, Bradford Hill was the first settler in what is 
now the village of Waterloo (then known by the Indian name of " Mauncsha"). Early in 1841, 



562 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Mr. Kenyon settled about one and a half miles south of Waterloo iJreek, which, in his opinioi 
bore every indication of having the requisite fall and volume of water to make it a first-clas 
mill site. Meeting Bradford Hill in the vicinity of Waukesha, he prevailed upon him to pn 
ceed further west, the result being the pre-emption, by Hill, of two " forties " in Section i 
upon which the principal portion of the village now stands. Mr. Hill built a log shanty o 
the ground now occupied by the old " Gravel House." When the period for making paymer 
to the Government and "proving up '" his claim arrived, Mr. Hill found himself in need of th 
necessary funds. This want was sujjplied by Mr. Kenyon, and, in 1843, Abram and Ira Brool 
purchased the water site of Hill, put in a dam and built a saw-mill. The Brooks family, thr« 
brothers and two maiden sisters, was preceded by James Thompson, who died some years ago i 
an advanced age, and whose son is still a resident of Waterloo. The Brookses built a little lo 
shanty in a grove east of the creek, and, after remaining a few years, they moved away. On 
of the brothers died in Sun Prairie, and another somewhere in Outagamie County ; the thin 
Ira Brooks, is still living, and is eighty-two years of age. The eldest sister died in Waterlc 
and the other in Sun Prairie. In 1841, Mr. and Mrs. Bissell Phelps, who are believed to be th 
only residents of Waterloo who saw the place in its earliest infancy, came hither from thei 
home in Illinois on a visit to relatives living in the vicinity. They had occasion to remain ove 
night in " Maunesha," which then consisted of the solitary cabin of Bradford Hill. 

In 1848, the population had increased to the number, perhaps, of thirty-five or forty pei 
sons, and half a dozen houses had been reared in the woods on either side of the creek. Beside 
the Waterloo House, there were at that date the unpretentious residences of John Curtis, Jamc 
Thompson, William Knight (now occupied by the family of T. A. Williams), and the origin? 
Hill and Brooks shanties. 

Privations and hardships, not unlike those that beset the pioneers of other sections, wer 
encountered by the early residents of Waterloo. Fish, cooked without butter or lard, brea( 
made of meal or flour mixed with a little salt and water, and a few potatoes was the bill of far 
in every household. Money was exceedingly scarce, but, had it been plenty, there was nothin 
to be purchased with it ; the necessaries of life was the currency. Though every one was pooi 
money was a drug upon the market. The Greenbacker should have lived in those days ; bi 
the early settlers had their pests also. The festive Indian — the noble, murderous red man — wa 
no small source of annoyance. What his ancestors had failed to do in the scalping line, he mad 
up in stealing and frightening women and children. Those of his race who roamed about Watei 
loo had a burying-ground on the Crawfish, near Hubbleton, and frequently passed through th 
former place with their dead strapped upon the back of a pony and followed by a large cot 
course of pretended mourners, who. on their return, invariably carried numerous articles of pri 
visions or wearing ajiparel appropriated from the whites. Such is a brief outline of the earl 
history of Waterloo. 

TIIK I'OST OFFICE. 

This institution was established in Waterloo in the latter part of the forties. C. D. Tapping wa 
the first Postmaster. He kept all the mail in a garden-seed box, and Abram Brooks drove to Azts 
Ian once a week in a double wagon to get the letters, never being rewarded with more than three o 
four at a time. A. F. Mattice succeeded Mr. Tapping, and a change in the national admini: 
tration resulted in the installation of C. P. Meail as Postmaster. R. J. Reamer, the presen 
incumbent, was Mr. Mead"s successor. In 18i38. it became a money-order office, and the firs 
order bears date of October 12 of that j'ear. James Gushing was the remitter, and Alanson G 
Allen, of Fairfield, 111., the receiver ; the amount was §50, the largest sum that can be ser 
under the law regulating the Money-Order Department. 

MANUFACTORIES, ETC. 

Abram and Ira Brooks, after turning out many thousand feet of lumber from their saw 
mill, converted the institution into a grist-mill, where, for a long time, the settlers had thei 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 563 

wheat ground, the miller taking a small proportion of the grist for toll. After passing through 
various hands, the mill was destroyed by fire in 1876, while the property of William Folindorf. 
Mr. F. conteuiplates the building of a mammoth structure upon the ruins, and has already com- 
pleted a huge foundation for the mill that is to be. 

In 1847, F. Giles, A. Vail and William Rood commenced building a mill-dam on Waterloo 
Creek, half a mile west of the village. Before the work was completed, M. P. Caldwell pur- 
chased the site, and, in 1848, built a grist-mill. In 1849, William and Benjamin Boorman, 
witli a combined capital of 20 shillings, bought Mr. Caldwell out ; that is to say, they took the 
mill with the understanding that they were to pay a certain sum for it if the money could be made 
out of it. With their 20 shillings, they purchased ten flour-barrels at 35 cents apiece, getting 
thirty days' time on the amount they necessarily owed on the barrels. And thus a start was 
made. William Boorman is now the sole proprietor. The capacity of the mill has been 
greatly increased ; likewise the fortune of Mr. Boorman. 

Another dam was built at a very early day, nearer the center of the village, upon which 
were erected a factory and carding-mill, which were burned in 1862. The dam subse- 
quently went out and has not been rebuilt. The site was on property now owned by Clark, 
Rain k Co. 

In 1860, A. F. Mattice built an elevator with a capacity of 15,000 bushels. It was after- 
ward purchased by McCracken Bros., who, in 1870, put up a new elevator capable of holding 
20, < too bushels of grain, and added, among other improvements, a thirty-iivc horse-power 
engine. Messrs. McCracken now have facilities for handling 225,000 bushels of grain in a 
season. 

The Wisconsin Rotary Engine Company built a foundry and machine-shop in 1865, near 
the railroad depot, where harvesters, fanning and wind mills are now manufactured, requiring 
the employment of ten men. 

In 1865, John Farrington built a steam door and sash factory. It is now the property of 
Gr. A. B. Whitney. 

John Helms built a cider-mill in 1870, and the demand for his productions became so 
»reat that he was compelled to enlarge and improve the concern in 1875. He is now prepared 
to manufacture forty barrels of cider per day. In 1876, he made 1,100 barrels, and found 
ready sale for it in Chicago, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, and throughout Wis- 
consin. 

Nelson Sickles manufactured the first brick in Waterloo. Jackson Rood and John Helms 
ire now in the business, the combined productions of their kilns being about 1,200,000 each 
year. 

THE CHURCHES. 

Methodism was the first of the various religious creeds to assert itself in Waterloo. A 
church edifice was constructed about 1857. The Rev. Mr. Drew was the Pastor at that time. 
Among those who followed were the Revs. Tucker, Lang, Martin, Miller, Wanless, Robbins 
md Sanborn, the latter being at present in charge of a faii'-sized congregation. 

The Presbyterians and Congregationalists worshiped together nearly a quarter of a century 
igo, the Rev. Mr. Heaton being their spiritual guide. The Rev. William Thompson and the 
Rev. Mr. AVright were also among those who preached before and since the erection of a church, 
twelve years ago. The flock, somewhat diminished, is now composed for the most part of Con- 
gregationalists. 

The Baptists organized a society in the spring of 1862, with nine members, the Pastor being 
T. T. Mclntyre. A church edifice was erected the same year, being used also for a school- 
house. The ministers have been the Revs. T. L. McCloud, S. C. Sales, W. T. Hill, L. G. 
Catchpole and G. G. T. Martin, the present incumbent, and also Principal of the Graded High 
School. In 1868, the church and sehool building was overhauled, and has since been used 
exclusively as a church. 



564 HISTOKY OF JEFFERSOX COUNTY. 

The German Catholics of Waterloo were organized in 1867 by the Rev. Father Sigg, o 
Jefferson. The parish was composed of the following persons : August Meibus, Peter Janisch 
Bernard Leschinger, Jr., and Joseph Raedle, and the wives and families of each. Meeting 
were held at the house of Joseph Raedle until 1869, when a church edifice was built, at a cos 
of §5,000, including the lot and pastorate. Fathers Fardle, Ivo, Salamus, 'Jaster, Huber 
Smeddinck and Victor have filled the pulpit. The parish now consists of about sixty-two fami 
lies. A parochial school of twenty-five or thirty pupils is taught in the church by Mr. Victo 
and his sister Mary. 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church Society was organized in 1807 by the Rev. Mr. Snell, tb 
members being Carl Haese, F. Grunke, E. G. Woelfert, A. Heidemann, William Buth, Peter an( 
John Helraes and Conrad Failingcr. The Pastors since Mr. Snell have been the Revs. Car 
Haese, M. Denninger and J. J. Meier. The church was completed in November, 1868. at i 
cost of §1,400. The lot upon which it stands was donated by J. L. Thompson. It has a ver 
extensive congregation, and supports a parochial school, established in 1873, consisting of fron 
forty-five to seventy pupils. The schoolhouse and reciorv were built in 1878, at a cost o 
§1,500. 

VILLAGE INCORPORATION. 

Waterloo was incorporated as a village in 185&, and on the 5th of April of that year th 
first election for village officers was held with the following result : President, Ira R. Rood 
Trustees, John INIosher, A. F. Mattice, William Gillett and William Munson ; Assessor, W. M 
Wright; Clerk, Cyrus P. Mead; Treasurer. Thomas Currier; Marshal, Samuel Parkhurst 
Superintendent of Schools, W. D. Smith ; Justices of the Peace, S. W. Budlong and W. D 
Smith. The Judges of Election were John F. Mattice and Samuel Parkhurst; C. P. Mead 
Clerk. There was but one ticket in the field, the number of votes cast being fifty-six. Th 
original cliarter comprehended a village plat one mile square, but in 1861 a new charter wa 
granted, providing for the incorporation of the four northwestern sections of the town. 

The present village officers arc: President, S. M. Weiner ; Trustees — W. F. Lum, K. P 
Clark, William Boorman and F. Grunkel ; Clerk, T. A. Williams ; Treasurer, F. Feibinger 
Assessor, Bissell Phelps ; Marshal, J. Gingles ; Justices — C. P. Kopp and Peter Janisch. A 
the last election, there were 185 votes polled. , 

THE PRESS. 

On the 4th of December, 1870, the first number of the Waterloo Journal was issued by A 
F. Booth, printed from material once used by a publisher in Watertown. The Journal was i 
seven-column folio. Republican in politics. In 1872, Frank Streeter, now publishing a poultp 
journal in, Illinois, became the editor and proprietor. In 1873, A. B. Griffin became associate! 
with Mr. Streeter, and in December of that year E. F. Conklin purchased Griffin's interest 
This partnership lasted three months, when Streeter sold to his partner, who conducted thi 
Journal until December 31, 1878, retiring from the field of journalism in favor of his son, S. J 
Conklin. In May, 1879, C. G. Bell & Co. purchased the good wdl and subscription list of thi 
paper, and furnished the office with a complete outfit of new material, the old types, etc., bein< 
taken to Watertown, Dakota, where it is now used by Conklin c.t Frazer in the publication of tin 
Dakota News. In January^l879, the form of the Journal was changed to a five-column quarto 
F. W. Denison is the editor. YThe Journal once dared to call the attention of the authorities to th( 
fact that a certain citizen while intoxicated had chased his wife from the house at midnight a 
the point of a butcher-knife. The few lines conveying this information had the effect to caus( 
the .savage individual to prolong his spree, and while he was roaring drunk he went hunting fo; 
the editor. Unfortunately for himself, he mistook W. 0. Frazer, foreman of the mechanica 
department of the paper, for the responsible scribe, and made a deadly thrust at him with a knife 
cutting his coat across the shoulder, but drawing no blood. Tiic next moment the would-bi 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 565 

issassin found himself inside the post office building, having passed through the door without 
)pening it. i 

-"^ SCHOOLS. 

A quaint structure, built of tamarack logs about 1843, was the first schoolhouse in Waterloo. 
't served the purpose of a meeting, as well, for all manner of gatherings, until it was torn away 
,nd a more commodious brick built upon its site. In 1867, the latter was sold by the School 
3oard to Peter McPherson, of Chicago, and, during that and the following year, the present 
ligh-school building was constructed. The roll shows a large attendance, and the bright, 
ntelligent faces of the children is indicative of a healthy and efficient school system. 

HOTELS. 

The Waterloo House, built by John Walker in 1848, was the first hotel in Waterloo, but 
; has seen its best days, and passed from the list of public houses eight or ten years ago. The 
)ld Gravel House, but also in 1848, by M. P. Caldwell, no longer claims " a share of the public 
•atronage." 

The Badger State House was built by C. P. Tapping about twenty years ago. It is built 
if" patent " or unburnt brick, baked hard in the sun and wind. After passing through various 
lands, it came into the possession of W. F. Bond, seven or eight years ago. Mr. Bond has 
iroved himself to be a genial landlord, wide awake to the requirements of his patrons. 

SOCIETIES. 

Waterloo Lodge, No. Go, A., F. (|- A. M., was organized in January, 1855, by Grand 
jecturer McMillan. The first meeting was held in the Waterloo House, where the following 
fficers were installed : Henry Drew, W. M. ; Martin Mead, Secretary ; Philip Brush, Warden ; 
)ean Chase, Treasurer, and U. Persons, Ira Fuller, Elder Follinsby and Dr. Bingham among 
he charter members. Sylvester W. Barnes was the first individual initiated. The Lodge now 
onsists of about fifty members. 

Waterloo Lodge, No. 4^. I- 0. 0. F., was first organized at Hunchetville in 1850, and after- 
ward removeil to Portland in Dodge County, whence it came to Waterloo, where it became an 
English-speaking Lodge ten years ago. Among the first members still active in the Lodge may 
le mentioned G. H. P. Cone, E. E. Delano, T. A. Williams, Frank Knowlton, N. S. Tracey 
). Car Skedien. 

Waterloo Lodge, No. 362, I. 0. G. T. — Organized in February, 1878. It is conducted 
ntirely by ladies. The officers are Mrs. A. P. Newton, W. C. T.; Mrs. D. 0. Bennett, W. V. 
P.; Mrs. H. H. Squires, Secretary. About si.xty members. 

Temple of iZi^no?-.— Organized in May, 1877. First officers : S. G. Martin, W. C; C. R. 
stone, W. v.; E. E. Delano, Secretary. One hundred members. 

Waterloo Council, No. 5.— Organized in June, 1878. S. J. Conklin, C. of C; C. G. 
Jell, S. of C; D. 0. Bennett, J. of C; T. A. Williams, Secretary. Twenty members. 

Junior Temple. — Organized January 2, 1878. Paul Dutcher, W. C; B. Boorman, J. C; 
A. Squire, Scribe. Composed of boys from ten to eighteen years of age. 

ET CETERA. 

C. P. Tapping established the first store in Waterloo. It stood where the Badger State 
louse now stands. 

John Walker was the first blacksmith. 
The first physician was Dr. Ira Rood. 



566 HISTORY OF .TKFFERSON COUNTY. 

The first lawyer, Abrain Vanderpool ; lie was a farmer as well, and a member of the Firs 
Constitutional Convention — generally regarded as a pretty smart man. 

Waterloo was visited by a serious conflagration in September, 1879. The hardware stor 
of William Boorraan and the saloon and barber-shop of Mr. Schwager were destroyed. 

A man named Edwards was the first settler in the town of Waterloo. He came in 183 
and located in the east part of the town, near the Crawfisli. 

The first town meeting was held at Aztalan, to which Waterloo belonged, in 1842. 



TOWN OF MILFORD. 

This section of Jefferson County, in point of agricultural wealth, is not unlike other loca 
ities already described. The Crawfish River passes through the town from north to .soutl 
entering from Dodge County, in Section 6, at a point where the post office of Hubbleton 
located. L. P. Drake and M. L. Bartlett were the first settlers in the town. The region aboi 
Hubbleton is wet and niarsshy, and was at one time a favorite resort for hunters from Milwaukci 
etc. At an early day, traders came from almost every quarter to barter with the Indians, wL 
had a large and important camp on the river. The old plank-road from Watertown to Waterlc 
passed through Hubbleton. A man named Campbell built a steam saw-mill years ago, whic 
furnished lumber to a large proportion of the population, until it was destroyed by fire. Mi 
Edwards, the Postmaster and storekeeper of the place, put up a small mill three or four yeai 
ago. Howell Brosi' stave-mill was at one time one of the institutions of the place. Hubbleto 
is the onlj' station between Watertown and Waterloo on the Madison Branch of the Chicagi 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. 

MILFORD POST OFFICE. 

Situated on the Crawfish in Section 4, town of Milford. The first settlers were W. I: 
Lampier and Benjamin Nute, Sr., who built a saw-mill in 1840. Norman Pratt built a gris 
mill in 184o. N. S. Green & Son are the owners of the mill, which has been enlarged an 
improved till it is now one of the best in the county, having seven run of stones. The ol 
saw-mill has been torn away, having long since become useless. 

Mr. J. D. Waterbury, of Aztalan, gives the following names of those who may be consic 
ered early settlers in the town of Milford : George Mills, Stephen Fletcher, Josepli James an 
Olncy Edwards, Silas D. Stiles. Ruben Keeue, N. P. Hawks, B. Chambers, W. S. llyer, I 
Nute, G. Lampier and L. P. Drake. 



TOWN OF IXONIA. 

Pipersville and Ixonia Center are the two points of interest in this town. Jans H. Stren 
now seventy-seven years of age, claims to have been the first settler in that part of the Roc 
River A'^alley. Ixonia Center may be said to have been first located on the river, one mile ea: 
of its present site. At one time, there were two hotels, a steam saw-mill and a store (by Samui 
Piper) on the old site ; but when the railroad was built, in 1856, Ixonia Center took flight, i 
it were, and settled down in Sections 21 and 22, to become a station on the La Crosse Divisio 
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. The Postmasters at the Center have been Samui 
Piper, H. E. Iluniplirey and James McCall. There are now two stores, one saloon, one blac 
smith and turning shop, two shoemaker shops, one church, one cheese-factory, a public schoo 
and one elevator. The population is estimated at one hundred. "Old Man "McCall wt 



HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 567 

mong the first settlers, but that jolly old individual, Jans Strem, who remembers so vividly the 
reat amount of fun he had '" niit de var," insists that "I vas de fir^tee man; you can see 
lino hair." 

TOWN OF OAKLAND. 

The early settlers in this region were E. G. Snell, James Crane, Gerard Crane and Gideon 
nd Holmes Ives. Mrs. Snell made the trip from Milwaukee on foot. Oakland Post Office was 
stablished about 1847, with E, G. Snell as Postmaster. Moses Powers is at present in .posses- 
ion of that olfice. 

TOWN OF SUMNER, 

he smallest town in the' county, containing but seventeen square miles. The early set- 
lers were T. Kumlien, C. G. Hammerquist, C. Jenkins, Thomas Bussy (for whom Bussyville is 
amed, and who built the mill at that place), and a Mr. Downing. Mr. Hammerquist is the 
'ostmaster. Lake Koshkonong is the beauty-spot of the town of Sumner. 



RELICS OF THE RED RACE. 

The following article on the wonderful archaeological collection of Mr. Henry Haskell is 
ontributed by Mr. I. T. Carr, editor of the Jefferson Banner : 

" Men have named the fixed stars, and noted the places where they may always be found ; 
ave named the planets and fixed their orbits ; have measured the distances between the sun and 
lie planets, and the distance of each planet from the others ; and every school-boy has been taught 
he same. But the men are comparatively few who can name and tell the uses of the different 
rticles occasionally found, which were manufactured by a pre-historic race in a time usually 
ailed the" stone age." Thousands of people daily step upon relics of the by gone age. without think- 
igthat the minds which planned and the hands which executed the work on those articles were as 
efined and deft, nay, more, than their own ; for the mechanic of to-day has not yet been able to 
lake with modern appliances, many of the beautiful objects in Hint which the mechanics of 
ntiquity have left behind for their inspection. Nor is this ignorance on such matters to be 
rondered at greatly. In the scramble and toil for daily bread, the minds of the thousands are 
ent upon the present and future, and they have no time to spend delving in the fields of the 
lystic past. But here and there arc found individuals, solitary and alone, who, through for- 
une's favor, are enabled to spend a little time in those neglected fields, and by deep study and 
nergetic use of their reasoning powers are enabled to connect, with the subtle elements of 
bought, the people of the present with the people of the long-buried past, almost as plainly as 
he electric wire connects the people of the two hemispheres. 

" There is probably no section of this country so rich in fields for this kind of labor as the 
ounty of Jefferson. In almost every town are found, not only the manufactured stone, but 
lounds which were made to designate the last resting-place of some noted chieftain, as well as 
laborate systems of earthworks, which arc almost an exact counterpart of the works thrown up 
ly our own armies on the Atlanta campaign, and which, if not obliterated by that modern icon- 
clast, the plow, will, in future ages, be looked upon by a new race of people with as much won- 
der as we now gaze upon the works of pre-historic man in this county. As is usually the case 
rhere there is a field to cultivate, some one can be found to perform the labor ; so, in this county, 
. man has been found with time and brain to devote to the purpose, in the person of Mr. Henry 



568 HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. 

Haskell, of the town of Jeflferson. He is a farmer, imbued with a deep interest in everythin] 
that pertains to archaeology. His farm is about three miles distant from the celebrated mound 
and earthworks of Aztalan, and some of his spare time is used in investigating their origin 
picking up the broken links in the chain of their history, and collecting, in the vicinity am 
other sections of the county, the implements of stone which are supposed to be the handiworl 
of the builders of the mounds. He has been engaged in this work for the past five years, and noi 
he probably has the largest and finest private collection of those articles in the United States. Las 
week, the editor of the Banner had the pleasure of examining his collection, and was astonishei 
not only at its magnitude, but at the beauty of finish of some of the ar.ticles. Of arrow-heada 
he has 1,350, made of all kinds of chert, flint, jas]ier and quartz, and showing a fine blendinj 
of colors in their arrangement on cards for e.xiiibition. They are of all sizes, from the tin; 
hunting arrow-head of one half-inch in length for boys, to the arrow-head for war purposes, o 
large game, which are three inches in length, and nearly an inch in width. The materials o 
which they are made are found only in certain localities, which can be designated by the colo 
of the articles. Some are found near Lake Superior, some in Ohio, while another color am 
quality can only be found in the Rocky Mountains. They are also of different styles of work 
manship, and have different devices for fastening them to the arrow-shaft. There are twent; 
rimmers in the collection. They are used for the purpose of enlarging or rimming out holes ii 
other stone implements or pipes, and are as efiectual as though made of steel. They are madi 
of flint, and are from two to four inches in length. There are nine articles called '' scrapers,' 
or hoes made of quartz, about five inches long, three inches wide, and, in the thickest place 
about three-eighths of an inch. They are worked down to an edge, and were evidently use( 
like the currier's knife of the present day, in preparing hides in the tanning process ; are al3( 
used for cultivating the earth. There are also twenty spear-points, some of them very finel; 
finished, with edges serrated as perfectly as a saw of the present time. In size, they range fron 
three inches to six in length, and from an inch to three inches in width at the widest part. Tiie; 
are mostly of jasper, and of various colors. Tliere are several articles which are called spades 
they are of quartz, and range from three to twelve inches in length, and are well adapted to thi 
purpose of digging up the ground. Of knives there are six, nicely made, and, though of stone 
would be very effective for cutting purposes. There is probably the finest display of stone axe 
in this display to be seen in the world. There are about seventy-five of these axes, and tliei 
vary in weight from three ounces to ten pounds. Some of them are double-bitted. They an 
grooved on the sides and upper edge for the handle to be looped round, while the lower edge i: 
left straight for wedging. They are mostly of green stone. There are seventy-five " fleshers,' 
supposed to have been used for skinning animals. They are mostly of green stone, and th( 
workmanship on some of them cannot be excelled at the present time. They are from tw( 
inches to ten inches long. There is also a " rolling-pin " of green stone, eighteen inches lon{ 
bv two in diameter. It is worked smooth, and almost as perfectly round as a turned one. Thi; 
article shows that pre-historic woman was as well prepared to govern refractory husbands as th< 
women of the present day. There are two discoidal stones in the collection, ten stone balls, £ 
stone drill and shuttle, one stone pipe. There is also a curious article in the collection, the use 
of which no one yet has been able to fjrm an idea. It is of sienite stone, three inches long, it 
the shape of a triangle, about three-fourths of an inch thick and one inch deep. The top ii 
hollowed out like a boat, and there is a small hole at either end. There are copper chisels and 
spear-points in the collection, and they are also thought to be the work of pre-historic man, 
These articles have nearly all been found in Jeft'erson County, and with them are pieces of bricl 
and pottery taken from the mounds at Aztalan. Mr. Haskell has also a fine collection of Indiar 
relics, such as tomahawks, scalping-knives, bows, arrows and quivers ; also, a peculiar brass ornameni 
or charm, something in shape of a man without a head, but on the breast a representation of a 
heart, colored black. It may be an article for religious worship. He has also a collection ol 
mineral and geological specimens, which alone are worth going a hundred miles to see. while the 
whole collection forms a museum of ancient and modern curiosities of great value and interest.' 




PRESIO^n OF THE NOrrrHWESTERN UNI\r^RSITr 

WATERTQWN 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



to Company or county j W. V. I Wisconsin Volunteer Infantiy 

llr dealer P. Poet Office 

¥. V. A Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery S. or Sec .". Section 

y. V. C WiecoHBin Volunteer Cavalry [ Bt street 



CITY OF WATERTOWN. 

JOACHIJI ALWART, farmer; P. 0. Watertown; born in Germany in 1831 ; he came to 
America in 1851. Married Miss Albertena Betow, of Johnstown, Rock Co., Wis., and lived there 
ill 1866, when he moved to Watertown, bought a farm of 144 acres within the city limits and upon which 
16 now lives ; he has five children — John, Bertha, Herman, George and William. Mr. Alwart has been 
I prominent member of the Lutheran Church and has been a Trustee of the same for five years. 

JAMES AMES, butcher; born in the town of Macedon, Wayne Co. N. Y., July 4, 1844; 
;he year of his birth his parents, with their family, removed to Wisconsin and engaged in farming ; located 
m Section 22, in town of Emmett, Dodge Co ; James was engaged in forming pursuits until he com- 
nenced his present business in 1878. He married Lizzie Darling Feb. 8, 1874 : she was born in town of 
Emmett, Dodge Co., Wis. They have two children — Mary and Lizzie. Mr. and Mrs. Ames are mem- 
)ers of the Catholic Church ; Mr. Ames was Town Clerk in Emmett Township, Dodge Co., for two years; 
le was President of St. Bernard's Temperance and Benevolent Society of Watertown ; he was a delegate 
;o the Catholic Total Abstinence Convention, of America, which was held in Chicago in October, 1874. 

CHARLES ARGIVBERG, cooper, Sixth Ward, Dodge Co. ; born in Brunswick, Germany, 
3ct. 8, 18o2 ; came to America in July, 1854; located in Blilwaukee ; came to Watertown in May, 1856. 
He was married in Milwaukee, in June, 1855, to Mary Dittes ; she was born in Baden, Germany; they 
aave had three children ; one died in infency ; the living are Otelle and Ernst. Mr. Arenbcrg is one of 
;he oldest coopers in the State ; he has been engaged in the business ever since he came to the country ; 
tie is one of the leading citizens of the city ; he has been Supervisor ; is now President of Concordia 
Musical Society, having held that position several times. He has been President of the Northwestern 
Baengerbund, and is at present a member of that society ; he is a member of the Sons of Hermann and 
das been President of the same, also has held presidency of the Grand Lodge. 

CHARLES ARXOLI), Justice of the Peace; born in Germany Nov. 7, 1833; came to 
New York in 186:; ; in 186:1, he enlisted in Co. M, 12th N. Y. V. C; was attached to the staff of Gen. 
Schofield, also the staff of Gen. Co.^ ; Mr. Arnold was employed as book-keeper in banking-houses in 
Europe prior to coming to America ; he was book-keeper for the Collier White Lead Company, of St. Louis, 
before coming to Wisconsin in 1876 ; he was obliged to leave his position in St. Lbuis on account of lead 
poisoning, and came to Wisconsin to regain his health ; since coming here, he has been employed as book- 
keeper for the Rock River Flouring-Mill Company, and as assignee of Milwaukee and Watertown firms ; 
in 1878, he was elcfcted Justice of the Peace. He married Miss D. Deetjeo ; they have one child — Jennie. 
Mr. and Mrs. Arnold are inenibors of the Episcopal Church. 

JOHN V. BAXDELIN, manufacturer of and dealer in boots and shoes; was born in the 
Kingdom of Prussia July 15, 1847. In 1857, he accompanied his parents to America, locating at Water- 
town, where he has since resided. He began the trade of b lotmaking when 13 years of age, and com- 
menced business for himself in January, 1877. Oct. 1, 1871, he married Anna Schlueter, a native of 
Watertown, and have had four children — John, Minnie, Amanda and Lydia, the last of whom is deceased. 
Tbey are members of the Moravian Church. 



598 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

M. \. BARBER, M. B., born in the town of Mendon, near Rochester, N. Y., in March. 
1821. Ili-i prcsfiit wife wa;; Jane L. Ilartwcll. They were married in La Porto, Ind. They have two 
children — Laura and Neal. The Doctor has two children by an earlier marriage — Jane L. (now Mrs. J. 
R. Buchanan, uf Trinidad, Colo.) and Frank A. (who i.s a.ssociated with his father in the practice of med- 
icine. Dr. Barber came to Wisconsin from La Porte, Ind., in the spring of 18-iG, and located at Racine, 
where he remained until he came lo Watertown, in the spring of 1848. 

JHHN A. BARRETT, dealer in lumber, lath, pickets, fence-posts, etc.; born in Watertown 
Township June -b, 1841 ; eui;agcd in farming until he was 21 years of age ; since then he has been exten- 
sively engaged in the lumber trade in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota; engaged in business in Water- 
town in April, 187G. Mr. Barrett is a son of William and Eliza (^ Allen) Barrett; they settled here in 
1839. His mother died in March, 1859, and his father died Dec. 4, 1878. 

AMOS BAUJI, Assistant Cashier of the Watertown Bank ; born in Manheim, Herkimer Co., 
N. Y. ; came to Watertown in 1855. For six years, he was connected with the Jefferson County Bank ; 
he was not engaged in active business for about two years. In October, 18t)3, he was appointed to the 
position which he now holds in the Bank of Watertown. He has served as School Commissioner, etc. ; Ves- 
tryman and Treasurer of the Episcopal Church. Sept. 11, 1849, ho was married to Mary E. Goulding, 
daughter of Curtis Goulding, of Jefferson Co., N. Y.; she was born in Jefferson Co., N. Y. 

A. BAl MANX, dealer in grain and general farm produce ; born in Watertown July 25, 1852. 
He ha.s been engaged in the L'rain business for thirteen years ; for the last three years, he has been doin;; 
business for himself Nov. 10. 1874, he was married to Susan Simons; she was born in Milwaukee; 
they have throe children — Fred, Katie and Albert. Mr. Baumann is Alderman of the Fifth Ward. He 
is a son of John and Elizabeth Baumann, who came here from Switzerland in 1848. They have three 
children — Kmil, John J. and Albert, the latter being the subject of this sketch. 

STEPHEN BAUMUARTNER, cooper; born in Hungary March 5,1830; came to 
America and located in Watertown in ISliti. Commenced cooperage business for himself in 1872. Mr. 
Baumgartner married Teresa I'essenlehner in June, 18G3 ; she was born in Hungarj'. They have seven 
children — Stephen, .\nton, Jo.seph, Anna, Ida, Teresa and Johanna. Mr. and Mrs. Baumgartner are 
members of the Catholic Church. 

THOMAS BAXTER, manufacturer of lime; born Aug. 15, 1832, in Franklin Co., N. Y. ; 
moved with his parents to Waterbury, Washington Co., Vt., when quite young, and was educated there. 
In 1850, he went to work for the Vermont Central Railway, as foreman of construction. In 1853, went 
to Ohio, working in the .same capacity on the Ohio Central Railway. In 1S56. came to Janesville. Wis., 
working on the North-Western Railway till 1S57, when he came to Watertown. remaining in the direct 
emploj' of the conipanj- till 1873, and had transacticms with them till 1875, when he began to manufacture 
Watertown lime on the North road, and now averages 300 bushels a day, and employs generally six hands, 
but sometimes increases the force from ten to twelve. Married Miss Prances McCulluugh, of (Jhio, Nov. 
6, 1853. Have six children — Mary E., Charles S., Martha J., Emmie F., Frederick T. and George S. 
He is Superintendent of the Poor for the northern part of county, for 1879; Alderman of the Third Ward 
for 1862 and 18(53. and is now f .r 1879 ; member of Lodge, No. 49, Masons ; members of the Episcopal 
Church. 

CHARI./ES BECKER, cigar manufacturer. Sixth Ward, Dodge Co.; w.is born in Germany 
Aug. 20', 1838 ; came to Watertown in 1866 ; workel as cigar-maker for Wigi;enhorn Bros, until Decem- 
ber, 1878; in the spring of 1879, he commenced manufacturing for him.«elf In April, 1868, he mar- 
ried .\ugusta Zahn; .she was born in (Jermany; they have five children — Christiana, Fredrick, William 
Charles, Victor Otto, Au'.:usta and an infant son. 

HON. CHARLES BECKMAX, Justice of the Peace, Sixth Ward. Dodge Co.; born in 
Pru.ssia Aug. 16, 1S13; came to .\merica in September, 1843; located in Buffalo, N, Y. ; taught school 
in Western New York until he came to Wisconsin in September, 1845; engaged in farming until 1868. 
He hxs held the office of Justice of the Peace continuously since 1853, except for three years, from 1860 to 
1862, and one year prior to that time ; he was for many years Supervisor, Alderman, City Treasurer, 
School Commissioner, City Clerk, Commissioner of Public Debt, and, in 1874, he was a member of the 
Assembly, It would be difficult to find a man in the Stat« who has received so many manifestations of 
the esteem and confidence of his neighbors and fellow-citizens as the people of this vicinity have shown 
to Mr, Bockman. He was married, Oct. 31, 1839, to Hannah Charlotte Knuth ; she was born in Prussia 
Feb. 7, 1812; they have had seven children; the living are Anna Maria Eliza (now Mrs. Hermann 
Teisch, of Dakota), Alvine Louise Francisco (^now Mrs. Eugene Gebhart, of Watertown) and Henry 
Louis Martin (a resident of this city). 



CITY OF WATERTOWN. 599 

CHRISTIAN BECKER, grocer; bom in Watertown Feb. 10, 1851; son of John and 
Marpiret Becker, who came here in 1847 ; John Becker was born in Germany; came to America in 1834 ; 
he lived in New York City and Albany, N. Y., until he came to ^Vatertown. He held office of Alder- 
man, City Treasurer, Supervisor and various other important positions here. His death occurred in May, 
1875. Christian Becker has been engaged in present business since he was a youth of 14 years. Sej)t. 
7, 1873, he married Kate Thauer ; she was born in the town of Emmett, Dodge Co., Wis.; they have 
one !^on — John N., born Dec. 7, 1877 ; lost a daughter, Amelia, who died at the ago of 13 months. Mr. 
Becker is Secretary of the Fire Department and Treasurer of the Pioneer Fire Company. 

FRED BECKER, grocer; born in Prussia Jan. 11, 1819; came to America Jan. 3, 1849; 
spent nearly a year in the State, and four weeks in the city of New York, three months in Lewis Co. and 
seven months in Rochester; afterward, was a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, for two years and a half; then 
he removed to Warren Co., Mo., where he remained thirteen years; he then came to Forsytlie, III., 
where he carried on mercantile and produce busine.ss ; while at Rochester. N. Y., he was engaged in 
teaching; in Cincinnati carried on lard-oil factory and printing busine.ss; in Missouri he also conducted 
printing business and was engaged in the publication of a newspaper there. He was married in Prussia 
Nov. 11, 1845, to Anna Schnegelsieu'en. Mr. and Mrs. Becker are members of the United Brethren 
Church. 

jri.,IlIS BEKKENDORF, Rough and Ready Flounng-Mill ; b.j-n in the northern part 
of Germany Feb. 5, 1831 ; served three years and a half as a soldier in his native country; he was a 
member of the ftmous '• Hussars." Came to Wisconsin in 1857; engaged in farming in Lebanon until 
he engaged in the milling business, which he commenced when he purchased his present interest Nov. 1, 
18l!5. Mr. Benkendorf has served as member of the School Board ; he is a member of the Concordia 
Musical Society; member of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, etc. April ".'3, 1859, he married 
Wilhelmina Arndt; she was born in Germany; they have seven children — Emil, Louisa, Otto, Clara, 
Julius, Jr., Gustav and Ernst. 

AMOS BENNETT, chief carpenter of the C, M. & St. P. R. R. Co.; born in Luzerne 
Co., Penn; was a resident of New York State about nine years; came to Watertown in May. 1848; 
engaged in business as carpenter, contractor and builder until 1861, when he became connected with the 
railway company that he now represents in one of the most important and responsible positions of the 
management. April 2, 1843, he married Mary Harvey; she was born in Albany Co., N. Y. ; they have 
five children — Louisa, Kate G., Jesse W., Annie and Mary Estelle. Mr. and 31rs. Bennett are members 
of the Congregational Church. 

FRED BERTRAjfl, dealer in boots and shoes; born in Hanover March 23, 1845; came to 
Watertown with bis parents in 1847 ; he commenced working in the boot and shoe business when only 
14 years of age ; he is now senior partner in the firm of F. Bertram & Co. (his father-in-law, M. Mullen, 
being associated with him); they are doing a very extensive business, having stores at Milwaukee, Sparta 
and Watertown. Blr. Bertram married Miss Augeline Mullen ; she was born in Watertown Township ; 
they have four children — Freddie, Frankie, Willie and Lulu. 

HENRY BERTRAM, manufacturer of and dealer in boots and shoes; born in Hanover 
Feb. 29, ISlli ; came to Watertown in 1847 ; engaged in present business ever since he came here, having 
been one of the most prominent and public-spirited men in the community. The citizens of Watertown 
have manifested their confidence in his ability and integrity by electing him to fill various important posi- 
tions ; he was one of tlie first Aldermen and has served in that position for several terms ; he was Mayrr 
two years; City Treasurer two years; from 18G5 to 187(5, he was County Superintendent of the Poor; 
he w:is prominently identified with the institution of the I. 0. O. F. Lodge hire. In August, 1842, he 
married Helena Rcinecke, a native of Hanover; they have had five childrtn ; the living are Fred. Henry, 
Emily (now Mrs. Henry Daub), Mary (now Mrs. William Brandt); one daughter, Sojihia, died Dec. 20, 
1878, aged 35 years; at the time of her death she was the wife of W. H. Rohr. 

WIIjI^IAM BIEBER, fiiney dry-goods merchant ; born in Bavaria Nov. 6, 1828; came to 
America April 8, 1851 ; spent a short time in New York and Philadelphia; then came to Milwaukee,, 
where he remained about a year ; came to Watertown in April, 1852. He was first engaged in the brew- 
ing business here with his brother Charles, who afterward went to St. Louis and died there ; carried oi> 
the brewery about six months ; then commenced mercantile business. Mr. Bieber has served thirteen 
years as a member of the School Board, seven years as School Superintendent, six years as School Com- 
missioner and Clerk ; he is now serving liis fourth term as County Supervisor; he was twice elected Alder- 
man. Probably no citizen of this city has taken more interest in educational matters and other interests 
of the place than Mr. Bieber. June 15, 1853, he was married to Agatha Strohmenger; she was born in 



600 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

Bavaria May 12, 1835; they have eight children — Annie Tnow Mrs. John Matzek. of Milwaukee), Charle 
William. Jr.. Frank. Lena, Laura, Minnie and Henry. Mr. B. is a member of the Turner Society. 

JOHN BIRD, Fifth Ward, Dodjie Co.; with S. E. Randall in agricultural implement businesf 
born ill Canada Sept. 29, 1831 ; sun of Isaac and Hannah (Hodgson) Bird, both natives of Westmori 
landsliire, England ; they came to Canada in 1831. Mr. John Bird has been a resident of Wisconsi 
since January, 1867; he has been engaged in pork buying, packing and shipping, and dealing in far: 
implements ever since he came here except two years that he devoted to farming. He was married De 
24, 1870, to Eliza Raison, a native of England; they have five children — Louisa Hannah, Harry Hodgsoi 
Hatlic Mav, Wilber Howard and an infant son. Mr. Bird has been Supervisor of Fifth Ward, Dodge C 

WILLIA^H BITTNER, butcher and proprietor of meat market; born in the town of Mi 
waukee, Wis., April 22, 1847; lived in Milwaukee until he came to Watertown in 1865. July 2, 187 
he married Bertha Xowack ; she was born in Germany ; they have two children — Clara, aged 7 years, an 
Rosa, 3 years of age. Mr. Bittner has been a member of the Hook and Ladder Company for sevt 
years ; he is also a member of the Sack Company. 

ADOLPHUS BLAIR, saloon keeper; was born in Canada in 1833, and, with his parent 
moved to the State of New York in 1835, where be remained t«n years, when, with his parents, he can 
to Wisconsin and located on a farm in the town of Milford, where he was educated and where he wi 
elected Chairman of the Town Board in 1873. He married Miss Mary Filiatrau, of Milford, Jan. 2 
1861 ; they have eight children— Charles E., Mary E., Gertrude, Elizabeth, Ruth, Walter, Carrie an 
Edward, all of whom, with parents, are members of the Catholic Church. 

HENRY A. BLACK, grocer; is the son of August Block, who came to this country i 
1854, settling in Wisconsin, where he died Sept. 18, 1878. The subject of this sketch w;ts born Ms 
21, 1858, and early became a.ssociated with his father in the flour, feed, saloon and brickyard busines 
with whom he remained until Jan. 1, 1878, when he succeeded to the business himself and has since coi 
ducted it. The family originally consisted of six children — Henry A., Martha, Arthur, Ruphena, Augu 
and Olga, the mother of whom, Wilhelmina, still lives, a resident of Watertown. Mr. Block is a merabi 
of St. John's Lutheran Church. 

I>. BLUMEXFELD was born in the ancient city of Creglingen, Kingdom of Wurtemberi 
Feb. 13, 1828; received a common-school education and in 1841, entered a printing office at Stuttgar 
the capital city of Wurtemberg ; left that city in February, 1848, and worked at the case as a journey ma 
type-setter, in the cities of Xeuwied, Dusseldorf and Schwerin , emigrated to America in June, 1850, v 
Hamburg, and landed in New York Aug. 15, 1850; stayed there and in Philadelphia a few weeks an 
came to Wisconsin in the month of September of that year ; entered, a few days after his arrival in th 
State, the service of Messrs. Kohlmann Bros, who intended to publish a German paper in Racine, and i 
October, set the first stickful of German type that ever was set in that place. [See Racine History.] Tl 
Messrs. Kohlmann are now citizens of Oshkosh and publish a well-knuwn German paper there — the Td 
graph. In April, 1851, he left Racine and accepted a position as foreman in the office of the Dnilt/ Ba, 
ner and Vo/kii)'reund, at Milwaukee, published by Morritz Schoetlier, who was well known among all tl 
printers in Germany, having been, for a number of years, first foreman and manager of the world-renowne 
printing establishment of Baron von Cotta, in Stuttgart; in September, 1852, went to New York to gi 
married to Nancy Lewensen, of Schwerin, Germany, and in August, the following year, removed fro: 
Milwaukee to Watertown, in company with John Kopp, from Augsburg, a pressman who worked in tl 
same office with him in Schwerin, and afterward in Milwaukee. They commenced the jjublication of 
Democratic German weekly paper, called the Watertown Anzetgir, and issued their first number Aug. 2' 
1853. D. Blumonfeld has since that time continued in the printing business, since 1859 as sole pr 
prietur of the Watertown Welthnrger. His family consists of his wife (with whom he celebrated his si 
ver wedding on Sept. 11, 1877) and seven children, of whom two are married ; has been a member i 
the School Board and Common Council from 1868 to 1872. 

JOHN BOXEY, carpenter and joiner; born April 15, 1823, in Cornwall, England; wi 
educated and learned his profession there; came to America in 1849, landed in Quebec, and stayed i 
Canada till May 10, 1850, when he came to Watertown and worked for himself as carpenter and houi 
joiner, till 1863, when he went to Little Rock, Ark., in Government employ, and stayed there till withi 
ten days of the close of the war; in 1865, he entered the employ of the C. & St. P. R. R.; in 1874, \ 
left tliem and built the Catholic Church on the west side of the river, but in June, 1878, returned I 
work for the railroad company. Married Miss Sarah Jane Nettleton, of Watertown, in March, 185£ 
she died Jan. 25, 1878, leaving three children — Delia, Zina and George. Members of the Episcop 
Church ; Republican. 



CITY or WATERTOWN. 601 

REV. JOHN H. BROCKHANN, Pastor of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of 
^''atertown and vicinity ; born in Hanover Feb. 8, 1833 ; educated in Kurope ; ordained to the Christian 
linistry in Germany in 18G1 ; came to America in 18G2 ; he preached at Ahnapee, Wis., four years, 
ilerward two years at Mosel, Sheboygan Co. ; in 1868, he went to Fort Atkinson, where he remained 
ntil he came to Watertown, in January, 1875. Mr. Brockmann married Sophia Scheele Oct. 3, 1862 ; 
le was born in Germany. They have three children — Johanna, Theodore and Paul. 

F. P. BROOK, groceries, fruits and confectioner ; was born in Veldenz, near the river Moselle, 
russia, June 22, 1835, and came to Wisconsin in the summer of 1850 ; located in the town of Water- 
iwn, on a farm that his father purchased from Mr. McCready ; he then came to Watertown and learned 
le barber's trade ; he remained at his trade for five years, and, in 1857, started a fruit and confectionery, 
hich he carried on for about eighteen years ; in 1866, he started the Red Front Store, adjoining the 
ank ef Watertown, which he carried on in connection with his other store. For about two and a half 
;ars, Mr. Brook quit business, for a rest, and then started the store he now occupies and in which he i& 
3ing a successful and profitable business ; he was elected School Commissioner and resigned on account 
■ his business ; in 1877, was elected as Supervisor and again in 1870, which position he now holds. He 
arried, Dec. 31, 1857, Christiana Esslinger, of Buffalo, N. Y. He has five children — Amanda, Edward, 
mnia, Charles and Ida. 

WILiLiIAlfl BITCHHEIT, grain-dealer; bnrn in Bavaria, Aug. 15, 1827; came to America 
1851; landed at New York City April 8, 1851 ; came to Milwaukee in May of the same year; came 
I Watertown and located in August, 1852 ; engaged in the liquor bu.siness for a number of years ; carried 
1 a rectifying establishment and did a large wholesale business after doing a retail business for some 
sars ; he also built and carried on a brewery for awhile ; in 1860, he commenced business as a commis- 
m and produce merchant ; in 1865, he commenced buying grain and is now one of the largest and most 
■osperous grain-dealers in the West. July 30, 1857, he was married in Watertown, to Helena Weis, a 
itive of Prussia ; they have ten children living — Anna, Helena, Mena, Amelia, Josephina, William, Jr., 
lesander, Henry. Gu.^tav and Albert. 

CHARLiES BUNTROCK, house, sign, carriage and ornamental painter ; born in Watertown 
ov. 10, 1848 ; he is a son of David F. Buntroek, who came to this county in the summer of 1848, and is 
)w a resident of Shields Township, Dodge Co.; although he was first located on a farm in Watertown Town- 
lip ; Charles was engaged in farming until he was 18 years of age, then he commenced to learn his trade 
' painter and has worked at it ever since. Feb. 11, 1877, he was married in Watertown to Amelia M. 
onn ; she was born in Prussia Dec. 13, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Buntroek are members of St. John's 
utheran Church. 

R. H. BURKE, druggist, agent for rubber and paints, and dealer in toilet articles, perfumeries, 
ines, liquors, ciijars, etc., corner of Main and Washington streets, prescriptions carefully compounded ; Mr. 
urke was born in Canada West May 15, 1854; in 1863, he came with his parents to Emmett Township, 
odge Co., Wis., where he was engaged as a farmer until he commenced the study of medicine at Rush 
edical College, where he has attended two courses of lectures ; he graduated from the College of the 
lered Heart in 1876. His father. Richard Burke, died in town of Emmett in 1874. 

.lOiiiEPH BURSINGER, brewer, was born in Baden, Germany, Feb. 17, 1822, and came 
Wisconsin in July, 1853, and located in Milwaukee, where he engaged in brewing beer and cooperage; 
Dm Milwaukee he went to Waukesha Co., and farmed for one year ; then he came to Watertown and cora- 
eneed the brewing of beer, which he has continued up to the present time. He married, in November, 
549, Mary Voppiller, of Sigmeringen, Prussia; he has two children living — Ferdinand and Ellanora. Mr. 
id Mrs, Bursinger are members of St. Henry's Catholic Church. 

CHARLES CECH, proprietor of tannery, dealer in leather, shoe-findings, hides, pelts, etc.; 
irn in Bohemia Feb. 29, 1844 ; landed in New York City Sept, 28, 1850 ; came to Watertown the same 
:ar ; engaged in present business most of the time since, except two years in the saloon business and a year 
two that he was employed as a traveling agent; commenced present business for himself April 1, 1873. 
ily 18, 1871, he was married to Carrie Derksen (daughter of Theodore V. Derksen, then a resident of 
jrtage City, Wis., now a citizen of Watertown ) ; she was born in Germany ; they have four children — 
iura, Toni, Alma and Hugo. Mr. Ceeh has been a member of the Turner Society for sixteen years; 
: is also a member uf the Sons of Hermann and of Pioneer Fire Company, No. 1. 

WESfZELi CECH, proprietor of saloon ; born in Bohemia May 2, 1845; came to Watertown 

1856. He was married here, July 18, 1868, to Creszenz Gebhardt ; she was born in Germany; they 

ive four children living — Charles, Amelia and Emily (twins), and Clara; lost one daughter — Franeisca. 

r. C. is a member of the Sons of Hermann and Turner Societies. He is a son of Jacob Ceeh, one of 



602 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES; 

the early tanners here, and who is now a resident of Chicago. Mr. C. commenced business near tl 
C. & N. W. Railway depot in 1870; he has been doinj; business in his pre.<ent location seven years. 

WILLI.\lf H. CLARK, Cashierdf theBank of Watertown ; came to Milwaukee in 185 
and to Watertown in l^.")t; organized the bank that year and has been connected with it ever sine 
Mr. Clark orpinized the gas company here, in connection with A. L. Pritchard, and conducted the wor 
for several ycar.s ; he has been in the banking business continuously since August 4, 1854 — over a tjuarl 
of a centurv. Mr. C. is a native of Chemung Co., N. Y. 

DR. 'JAMES CODY was b^rn in St. John, Newfoundland, Aug. 22, 1820; came 
Wisconsin in 184t), locating in Watertown; he studied medicine with Hall Kittridge, of Chelmsfor 
Ma.ss. ; he completed his medical course, and received his diploma in March, 1844, at Harvard Universit; 
he then came to Watertown, and, since 1846, has been in the practice of his profes.sion ; he was Superi 
tendcnt of Schools of W^itertown for two terms ; was appointed by Gov. Barstow as Surgeon of t 
Wisccinsiii State Artillery; about 1803, was Examiner of Pensions for the United States Governmei 
Dr. Ct)dy married, Nov. 12, 1848, Adeline Rogan, of >few York; he has two children — Adeline ai 
William Gnrdim. Mrs. Cody died Aug. 12, 1872. Dr. Cody is a member of St. Bernard's Catho 
Church. 

LLTHKR A. COIjK, Watertown, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in W( 
Charleston, Orleans Co., Vt., Nov. I, 1812; his father, Ebenezer Cole, was the fourth settler in tli 
town; at the age of 22, he started West, and landed at Detroit in 1834; the following June he to 
passage in the schooner Supply, a little craft of but fifty feet keel, for Green Bay and Grand Kivi 
The passage to Green Bay occupied twelve days; after remaining there two days they started for Gra: 
River, which they re;iched the fourth day, making sixteen days' sailing from Detroit. He remained 
Grand River, and in its vicinity, for about eleven months, being employed most of the time at buildi: 
saw-mills and log houses. He then resolved upon visiting Wisconsin, and, taking passage at Grai 
Haven, at the mouth of Grand River, in the schooner White Pigeon, in company with Philander Baldw 
and Kli.sha M. Osborn, reached Chicago after a sail of about twenty-four hours. Two or three da 
afterward they started on fiiot for Milwaukee, following Indian trails most of the way, and finding on t 
route but an occa.sional settler. They arrived at Milwaukee on the 10th day of May, 1830. There 
worked at the carpenter and joiner business until December, when, taking his blanket and provisions up 
his shoulder, he started for Johnson's Rapids ( now Watertown ) passing over the road which had be 
cut out by Mr. Jnhnson a few week's previously, arriving on the evening of Dec. 27, 1830. Ama 
Hyland accompanied him. A few months before, Mr. Cole had, through the agency of a friend, ma 
two claims at the Rapids, one covering the farm now owned by John W. Cole, and the other the fai 
now owned by heirs of Benj. A. Morey. About the same time, he also made a claim throe miles sou 
of Prairic'ville. In January following, he purchased, at Milwaukee, three barrels of flour, and three 
pork. He paid S20 a barrel for the floun, and §40 a barrel for the pork. Building a cabin, in co 
pany with Mr. Hyland, and his brother, John W., they commenced keeping what they called " bachelo 
distre.s.s," which they continued for nearl}' fmr years. In the season of 1837, Mr. Cole worked on t 
saw-mill and dam of Charles F. H. Goodhue & Son, at Watertown. From that time, until the fall 
183!t, he was occupied mainly at lumbering and farming. In November of the latter-named year, 
company with Mr. Hyland, John A. Chadwick, David GriflSth, William P. Owen, William Stanton, J 
Brice Hall, John Diniick. he .started for Arkansas, for the purpose of spending the winter in choppi 
steamboat wood. They floated down Rock River in skiffs, and were eight days reaching the Mississip 
They remained in Arkansas until the following spring, each making a clever-sized '' pile," when th 
returned to Watertown. The same season, Mr. Cole, in company with Mr. Hyland. Mr. Stanton, Edmu 
S. Bailey and his brother, John W., purcliased 400 acres of land on what is known as Hyland Prairie, 
Dodge Co. There was then no inhabitant in the town of Fairfield, in which that prairie is situated. T 
only thing in the shape of a road, at that time leading north from Watertuwn, was an Indian trail. 
1841, he and his brother. John W., erected the building on the corner of Main and Second streets (m 
occupied by Ausust Fuerniann as a saloon and restaurant), and opened the first store in Watertown. T 
next year, .Mr. Bailey and Mr. Cole purcha.sed of Seeley Kidder 750 acres of land on the east side of t 
river, at Watertown, including the present site of the village, as also the mill and water-power. They w( 
to pay 1,000,000 feet of lumber, to be delivered at Beloit within seven years. They a.ssoeiated with th( 
the next year Linus R. Cady and his brother, Ebenezer W., and in three years and a half from the date 
the purch;ise, made the last payment; since which time the general business of Mr. Cole has been millir 
Selling out his intt^rest in the mills at Watertown, in 1854, he carried on the " Rough and Ready Mil 
jjne mile east of Watertown, up to 1865. In 1866, he went to Nebraska with Mr. Lyons, and built a »i 



CITY OF WATERTOWN. 603 

and grist mill forty miles above Omaha, on the Missouri River. In 1867, he also built a mill on Platte 
River, ten miles south of Denver. In 1869, he sold out his interest in milling, having been engaged in 
it for twenty-eight years of his life, since which time, having retired from active business, he has resided 
at Watertown. Mr. Cole married Miss Mary Jane Brackett (daughter of Jerry C. and Uranah Brackett, 
of Vermont) Aug. 29, 1842, at Charleston, Orleans Co., Vt. ; they have four children, two living — Guy 
L. and [Jranah B. (^now wife of F. L. Clark, of Watertown), and two deceased — Guy G. and Martha. 

JOHN W. COLiE, Watertown ; is the third son of Ebenezer Cole, and brother of Luther A. 
Cole, whose biography precedes this one, and was born the 2Sth day of December, 1814, in Charleston, 
Orlean.s Co., Vt. ; until the age of 22, he worked upon the farm of his parents, and with his father at his 
trade of carpenter and joiner. In the fall of 1836, he started West, and first came to Milwaukee, where 
he remained until January, 1837, cutting timber on the Milwaukee River, when he moved to Watertown, 
making the trip with ox-teams, carrying flour and pork, and with his brother, Luther A., and five others, 
kept what was called the " bachelor's distress '" for four years. He engaged with his brother in the gen- 
eral merchandise business, having built the first store in Watertown. Having dissolved partnership with 
his brother, Mr. Cole built a store on the north corner of Second and Main streets, and carried on a gen- 
eral merchandise business for about fifteen years, part of this time being also engaged in the manufacture 
of saleratus and potash. In 1854, he built the block of stores on the southeast corner of Second and Main 
streets, since which time Mr. Cole has lived retired from active business in Watertown. For two years he 
held, in Osage Co., while living there, the oiEce of County Commissioner. In 1855, he held the oflSce of 
Mayor of Watertown, and has also been Supervisor of Jefl'erson Co. He married Miss Eliza C. Fisk 
(daughter of James L. and Laura Fisk, of the State of New York) Nov. 19, 1844; they had three chil- 
dren, one living — Oscar A., aad two deceased — one named Johnnie, the other dying in infancy. 

RKV. P. J. COIjOVIN, Pastor of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, at Watertown ; was born 
in London, Canada West, July 4, 1842, and came to Wisconsin in 1872, locating at Watertown. He 
received his literary education at St. Hyacinth College and at St. Laurent College, after which he was 
Profes-or of Moral Philosophy at St. Laurent and Notre Dame for ten years, and was Superior of St. 
Laurent for one year. In August, 1871, he was sent to Notre Dame as Professor of Dogma. In 1872 to 
1874, was Assistant Pastor of St. Bernard's Church, then returned to Notre Dame as President of the 
College until 1S77, when he returned to Watertown and took charge of St. Bernard's Church, as Pastor. 

Id. H. COROES, proprietor of billiard and beer saloon; born in Watertown July 29, 1852; 
engaged in present business in February, 1879. Mr. Cordes is a son of Joachim C. Cordes, who came to 
Watertown in 1847. 

JOACHIM C CORDES, dealer in agricultural implements; born in Germany; came to 
New York City in 1846; lived there until 1847, then came to Watertown, engaged in farming fourteen 
years, then came to this city, and was engaged in mercantile business until 1869 ; afterward in saloon bus- 
iness, and now dealing in farm implements. Mr. Cordes was one of the first musicians of this place; con- 
ducted a string band for several years. He has been Township Assessor and Supervisor. He was married 
in Watertown, Sept. 14, 1850, to Minnie Hoaffer ; she was born in Germany; they have eight children 
— Louis H., Minnie. Frances, Martha, Ida, Emma, Anna and Ernst August. 

MICHAEL, CUNXIIVGHAM, Deputy Sheriff; wasbornm Hollowell, Steuben Co., N. Y., 
Sept. 17, 1842. He is a son of Patrick Cunningham, who came with his family to Milford, Jefferson Co., 
Wis., in 1846. Patrick Cunningham was engaged in farming until he retired from active life, in 1865. 
He died Aug. 17, 1879, his wife, Nancy, died Nov. 4, 1848. The subject of this sketch was engaged in 
farming pursuits until he enlisted Aug. 12, 1862, in Co. D, 3d W. V. C. Nov. 25, 1862, he was wounded 
at Cincinnati, Ark. ; seven months afterward, he was appointed Hospital Steward, and served in that 
capacity until he was mustered out at St. Louis June 19, 1865; he then returned to Jefferson Co. He 
was married at Riehwood, Dodge Co., Oct. 9, 1865, to Mary Woods. Mr. Cunningham was in the employ 
of the American Express Company, at this point, for nine years (he was transfer clerk for that company 
fur a period of four years and a half). He carried on city express business for two years. Appointed City 
Marshal in 1876. He was for a year and a half with S. E. Randall, dealer in agricultural implements. 
Jan. 6, 1879, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, which position he now holds. 

N. C. DANIELS, Superintendent of the C, M. & St. P. Ry. Co.'s Rail-mill, Machine and Black- 
smith Shops ; born in Windsor Co., Vt., Oct. 3, 1825 ; came to Dodge Co., Wis., in 1855, having been for 
eight or nine years prior to this time a resident of Massachusetts. While he resided in Dodge Co., he was 
elected to fill various town offices in Lowell. In 1861, he became connected with the railway company, 
and has been in the employ of this company ever since. In 1868, he came to Watertown to reside. In 
January, 1848, he was united in marriage to Mary C. Joselyn ; they have three children living — Helen 



604 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

M. (now Mrs. J. W. Laflin of Oshkosh, Wis.), Emma F. (now Mrs. 0. M. Burhaus of Essex, Page Co., 
Iowa), and Anna M ; their youngest daughter, Jessie Benton Daniels, died Sept. 4, 1879, aged 18 years 
1 month and 19 days. 

HKXRY DAl'B, proprietor of the Excelsior Beer Hall and Restaurant, and sole agent for the 
sale of Fred Miller's Milwaukee hger beer. Mr. Daub was bnrn July 28, 1848, in Hamm, a city in the 
Province of Westphalia ; he attended the Universitj' until 1862. and then engaged in the business of 
telegraph operator for railway company ; worked at that busines.s until May 1, 1869 (seven years); at that 
time, being called on to serve in the army, he decided to emigrate to America, which he did, arriving at 
Watertown June 3, 1869 ; for sis months, he was employed as book-keeper in the Empire Brewery, owned 
by his uncle, A. Fuermann ; afterward he was engaged as book-keeper and clerk in the boot and shoe 
establishment of H'.nry Bertram ; remained in that position for four years ; after leaving the retail boot and 
shoe business, he entered the employ of the wholesale boot and shoe house of Shay & Pearson, of Chicago, 
and continued with this firm as traveling salesman through Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, for nearly two 
years ; afterward, for one year and a half, he was with the Janesville Shoe Manufacturing Company in the 
capacity of traveling agent ; after the failure of the last-named company, in 1877, Mr. Daub discontinued 
traveling and engaged in present business for himself He is a member of Washington Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., 
Guttenberg Lodge, 13, 0. D. H. S., and of the Concordia Musical Society. Oct. 27, 1872, he married 
Amalie Bertram,' daughter of Henry Bertram ; she was born in Watertown Oct 26, 1852 ; they have two 
children — Loui.se, aged 4 years, and Mary, three years of age. 

JOHN DEITJEN, grocer; born in Bremen, Germany, June 18, 1846 ; came to America and 
located ill New York City ; employed as a clerk in grocery store until 1865, when he entered the United 
States Navy and continued in that service until 1S6S, when he came to Watertown. He was married here, 
Oct. 24, 1871, to Amelia Frederick ; she was born in Germany Sept. 19, 1851 ; they have four children, 
Hermann, born Oct. 31,1872; Bernard, April 7, 1874 ; Clara, Oct. 5, 1875, and Emma, Aug. 3, 1879. 
Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Baptist Church. 

JOHN B. DEjVXIX«ER, Principal of the Lutheran School; born in Berlin, Prussia, Jan. 
18, 184t); came to America in 1S()2; located in Addison, Washington Co., Wis., and resided there about 
five years, then came to Watertown and entered the Northwestern University, where he remained as a 
student about three years; he taught two winters in Addison, one year in Lomira and Teresa, in Dodge 
Co.;inOctober, 1869, went to Oshkosh ; remained there until 1873; Jan.l, 1874,he went to Milwaukee ; was 
engaged in teaching there one year and nine months; in September, 1875, he came to Watertown. Mr. 
D. married Emma Lindenstruth in Oshkosh, her native place, April 23, 1872 ; they have two children — 
Paul G. B. And Otto J. M. 

WIIjLIAJI E. DERVIN. painter and paper-hanger; was born in New York Stat«in 1849 ; 
moved to Pennsylvania when quite young, where he remained eight years ; he then moved to and located 
in the town of Clyman, Dodge Co., Wis., and lived there till the year 1860, when he moved to Water- 
town and began clerking in a grocery store for his brother; in 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, of the 16th 
United States Infantry; he was wounded in the right limb at the battle of Stone River, near Murphys- 
boro ; on account of the wound he was discharged at Louisville, Ky., May 6, 1863 ; he returned to Water- 
town in 1863, and, in 1864, he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he learned the painter's trade and remained 
till September, 1868, when he again returned to Watertown, and, most of the time since, has been employed 
as painter for the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Co. He married Miss Mary Dillon, of St. Louis, Feb. 
10, 1867, by whom he has four children — Alice, born in January, 1868; William T., Oct, 5, 1869 ; 
Eugene, .March 4, 1871, and Arthur, Feb. 1, 1879. Mr. Dervin and family are members of St. Bernard's 
Churth ; he has been JIarshal of the Catholic Total Abstinence Society during the years 1878 and 1879. 

C'OXRAD DIPPEIi, Sixth Ward, D,)dge Co; born in Saxony Nov. 2, 1831; came to 
America in 1849; located on Staten Island; there and in New York City he learned the trade of plasterer 
and stone and brick mason ; resided on Staten Island, New Y^ork Citj' and New Jersey until 1855, except a 
few months spent in Indiana and St. Louis iu 1852 and 1853; in May, 1854, he married Louise Hoerger; 
she died in Cottage Grove, Dane Co., Wis., in October, 1861 ; by thb marriage he had three children, two of 
whom are now living — Louis and Caroline ; one son, John, died when only about 6 months old. Mr. 
Dippel's present wife was Mrs. Wilhdmina Niemann; they were married in April,- 1862 ; she had one 
daughter by a former marriage — Augusta (now Mrs. Wendtland of Watertown). Mr. Dippel came to 
AVatertown in 1855 ; lived here until March, 1861, then he removed to Cottage Grove, Dane Co., where 
he resided until April, 1862, then returned to Watertown; he served one year and one month in Co. I, 
37th Wis. V. I.; was wounded and lost right arm, near Petersburg, Va., June 17. 1864; discharged and 
pensioned in December, 1864 ; since that time he has lived in Watertown, He was educated at the 



GITY OF WATERTOWN. 605 

Polytechnic Institute of Drosden, Saxony. For six years, he taught in the Sixth Ward Public School of 
Watertown ; he is a member of the German Reformed Church ; he is Secretary and Treasurer of the 
Bible Society, and is a member of the Northeastern Wisconsin Bee-Keeper's Association. Mr. D. is a 
bee-keeper of considerable prominence, being a producer to quite an extent. 

JACOB DITSCHLiER, proprietor of saloon ; burn in Germany June 21, 1845 ; came to New 
Orleans with his father in 1S47 ; remained there eight months; then they came to Cincinnati, Ohio ; 
lived there six years ; then resided in Hamilton, Ohio, two years ; returned to Cincinnati and remained 
one year, then went to Peoria, where ho resided until 1856, then came to Milwaukee; lived there eleven 
years, except three years spent in the army ; came to Watertown in 18(37 ; remained here six months, then 
went to Beaver Dam, where he stayed one year, when he returned to Milwaukee and spent two years more, 
and then finally returned to Watertown ; engaged in cit'ar-making until the fall of 1878, when he engaged 
in saloon business. Oct. 8, 1861, he enlisted in Co. B, 1st Wisconsin Mounted Infantry; he served as 
Corporal ; was in all engagements his regiment participated in ; served three years. He was married. May 
26. 1870, to Augusta Schmidt; she was born in Prussia; they have four children — Anton, Clara, Edward 
and Ferdinand. Mr. D. is a member of the Corcordia Musical Society, also of the Harugari. 

H. B. BODD, representing the express and telegraph companies; was born in Toledo, Ohio, iu 
October, 184'J ; when 9 years of age, he removed to Indianapolis, where he resided seven years; going 
thence to Canada ; remaining there two years and removing to Kalamazoo, Mich., residing there one year, 
when he again removed and established himself at Fond du Lac; whence, after four years' residence, 
he again moved to Watertown, reaching his present home in the spring of 1872 ; he has been in the 
employ of the American Express Company thirteen years. On the 29th of May, 1872, he was married 
to Adelaide 0. Lewis, of Fond du Lac, a native of New York State, by whom he has one child — Carrie 
Olive, born Dec. 23, 1874. 

S. M. KATOX, manufacturer of mineral waters; born near Kingston, Canada, Dec. 26, 1832. 
His father, Almon R. Eaton, came with his family to Whitewater, Wis., in 1842 ; after two years' 
residence there, ho removed to the town of Hebron, Jefferson Co., where he now resides. S. M. Eaton 
came to Watertown in 1868, having been located at Fond du Lac for two years prior to that date, engaged 
in the manufacture of soda and mineral waters since 1866. April 1, 1855, he married Eleanor J. Green, 
daughter of Joseph Green (deceased), of Hebron ; she was born in Saratoga, N. Y., July 28, 1832; 
they have four children — Frank M., Edward 0., Clarence C. and Ella A. 

IwHSTAV KBERLE, druggist ; born in Greenland Nov. 4, 1826 ; he is a son of a missionary 
who was in that northern country for over forty years. Gustav was educated in Germany and came from 
there to America in 1850; resided in the East until 1853, when he came to Watertown, arriving here 
May 11 ; he was engaged in carrying on a soap and candle manufactory here until 1873; he then engaged 
in the drug business with his son, Hermann T., who is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of 
Pharmacy. Mr. Gustav Eberle was married, Dec. 23, 1851, to Mary Kaltenbrunnen ; she was born in 
Germany; they have five children living — Hermann T., Emily, Eugene, Bertha and Albert. Mr. and 
Mrs. Eberle are members of the Moravian Church. 

REV. AUtJlTST F. ERXST, President of the Northwestern University; born in Hanover 
June 25, 1841 ; educated in the colleges oF Celle and at the University of Gottingen ; taught one year in 
Germany; then, in 1863, came to America and located in New York City, where he was engaged in the 
holy ministry; in 1864, he was ordained at Pottstown, Penn. ; preached in New York City until 1868; 
for ten months thereafter, he had pastoral charge of a congregation at Albany, N. Y.,then came to Water- 
town. Prof Ernst married Agnes Hartwig Jan. 7, 1868 ; she was born in the city of New York ; they 
have .six children — George R. A., Charles P. A., Adolfine W. B., Elizabeth D. G., Mary A. G. and 
Frederick H. W. 

EDWARD R. EVANS, proprietor of livery stable ; born in Cardiganshire, South Wales, 
Nov. 21, 1822 ; came to America in 1840 ; located in Utica, N. Y., one year; spent two years in Lexing- 
ton, Ky., and some time in St. Louis and other places before coming to Watertown in the spring of 1846 ; 
engaged in blacksmith and wagon-making business here until 1870, when he engaged in livery business. 
He was married in Delafield, Waukesha Co., Wis., Nov. 13, 1846, to Sarah Jones; she was born in 
Cardiganshire, South Wales ; they have six children — George W. (associated with his father), Sade (now 
Mrs. Eugene Bradbury, of Watertown ), Gomer E. (a resident of Chicago"), Eliza, John Quincy (telegraph 
operator for the C, JI. & St. P. R. R. Co. at this place) and David C. (who resides with his parents). 

THOMAS B. EVAXS, carpenter and joiner; born Dec. 16, 1823, in Carmarthenshire, 
Wales, where he was educated and learnt his profession ; came to America in 1853, and located in Water- 
town, Wis.; worked for himself till 1856, when he entered the employ of the C. & St. P. Railroad, and 



606 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

worked in several departments till, in 1869, he became foreman carpenter, and still holds that position. 
Married Miss Margaret Jones, of Wales, in September, 1S51 ; have one child — David T. Membere of 
the Welsh Presbyterian Churuh ; Republican. 

JOHN fOKD, of the firm of Hamlin & Ford, dealers in lumber, building-paper, paints, coal, 
etc.; born in .Scotland June 30, 1825; came to America and located at Watertowu in August, 1849; for 
sixteen years, he worked at his trade of plasterer, stone and brick mason ; in 1803 and 1864, he spent a 
year and a half in Arkansas in the Quartermaster's Department of the United States Army ; afterward, he 
worked for a year at his trades and for seven years he was in the office of the Chief Engineer of the Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railway Company; Feb. 1, 1873, he engaged in the lumber business with Mr. Ham- 
lin, and they have be(!n as,«ociated together in the same bu.siness ever since. Mr. Ford was first Superin- 
tendent of Schools under the union plan, afterward Commissioner of Schools for the Sixth Ward for one 
year, and in 1878 was Commissioner of Schools for the First Ward. Dec. 3, 1847, he married Martha 
McKritchie ; she was born in Scotland ; they have had six children ; the living are James Gr., John C. 
aud Julia J.; lost three children; two sons died in infmcy ; one daughter, Anna, died Dec. -'9, 1866, 
aged 17 years. Mrs. Ford and Julia J. are members of the Congregational Chnrch. 

AIJtrL'ST FUKRMAXX, brewer; was born in Germany .Ian. 8. 1822; came to Wisconsin 
in 1847, locating in Milwaukee, where he opened a grocery and saloon ; he then moved to Watertown and 
engaged in the brewing of lager beer in a building 24x50 and gradually made additions to the same until 
he has the handsomest brewery in Watertown. He married, in 1840, Christiana Ilengott, of Prussia ; he 
has nine children — Charlie, August, Amelia, Ju'ius, Aida, Henry, letle, Albert and Gerhard. 

AlJGrST FI'ERMAXN, Jr., proprietor of saloon; born in Watertown Sept. 3,1850; 
associated witli his fkther in the bnwing bu>iiiess here, and Chicago agent of the Fuermann Brewing Com- 
pany from October, 1871, until he returned to Watertown, and engaged in present bu.sinessin February, 1878. 
Dec. 19, 1874. he was married to Eliza Speer (daughter of Ferdinand Speer) ; she w;is born in Water- 
town; they have one child — Amanda, born April 29, 1878. Mr. F. is a member of A., F. & A. M., 
I. O. O. F., Turners' and Concordia Musical Societies. 

WM. FUERSTENAU, teacher; born in Prussia April 16, 1830 ; came to America in 1857 ; 
located in Chicago; was employed as a teacher there and in that vicinity for seven years; then he came 
to Watertown, and has been engaged in teaching here ever since; he is Prit;cipal of the school which he is 
now connected with ; educated at Stettin Seminary, in Germany. Mr. F is a member of "the Mis.souri 
German Lutheran Synod. Oct. 12, 1854. he was married, in Germany, to Wilhelmina Gramzow ; she 
was born in Prussia; they have six children — Martha (now the wife of Rev. .Mr. .^lachmiller, of Fair- 
bank, Iowa), Renata (now teaching in Milwaukee), Martin (a student in the Northwestern University), 
Paul and Anna. 

S. B. FFCIjER, wholesale and retail dealer in new " Home," " Eldredge," and the best makes 
of Singer Sewing Machines. Mr. Fuller came to Watertown in August, 1866; he has sold about 4,000 
sewing machines since he engaged in that business in 1869 ; the first three years of his residence here, he 
was in insurance business ; then, for nine years, he was district agent for the •' Singer Manufacturing Com- 
pany ;" he was borti in Milford. N. H., June 24, 1841 ; from 1855 to 1866, resided at Fond du Lac. In 
April, 1870, he was married to Mary L Avery, daughter of Dr. Avery, of Richmond, Ind.; she was born 
in Ohio; they have three children — Gertrude, Anna and Abbie. Mrs. Fuller is a member of the Congre- 
gational Church. 

EMILi C. CjrAEBIiER, musical instruments and musical merchandise, Watertown ; was born 
in Eisenberg, Saxony, Sept. 30, 1828, and came to Wisconsin November, 1856, locating at Lake Mills; he 
received his lileiary education at the college at Eisenberg, and after that taught school for two years. On 
Aug. 15, 1849, he came to the United States to look after some land that was ceded to his father by a 
brother who was engaged in the Mexican war in the 15th Wis. V. I.; he then went to Danbury, Conn., 
and became teacher of mu.sic and languages in John W. Irwin's Institute, six months after which he estab- 
lished himself in the teaching of music, tuning an<l repairing pianos, which he continued there for seven 
years ; on account of his health, he went to L:ike .Mills, Wis., and entered the hardware business, in which 
he remained two years, when he went to Watertown. and at first manufactured melodeons ; afterward 
starte<l the music store which he now occupies ; he is also engaged in teaching music and leading singing 
societies, and is now leader of the Concordia .Musical .Society ; he has been engaged for the past eight years 
in the manufacture of pipe organs, and has made and placed organs in the following churches : Emanuel 
Church, Lebanon, Wis.; St. Jcihn's Lutheran Church, at Watertown, Wis. (this eirgan has two banks of 
keys and twenty-eight stops) ; Lutheran Church, at Lomira, Wis.; Evangelical Church, at Ripon, Wis., 
and the Lutheran Church at Fall Creek, Wis. In 1876, he was elected School Commissioner, which 



CITY or AVATERTOWX. 607 

position he now holds. He married, July 3, 18 19, Bertha Von Beust ; he has five children — Max H., 
Emeline A., Otto F., Sophie C. and Arthur. 

A. J. «AJ1M, bill clerk for the C, M. &. St. P. Ry. Co.; born in Watertown June 4, 1853 ; 
he was engatjed in teaching for three years prior to liis connection with the railway company, in 1873 ; he 
Is a son of Autjust CT.inim, one of the prominent merchants of Watertown. 

C H. GrARDNBR, attorney, residence in the Sixth Ward, Dodge Co.; born in St. Petersburg, 
Russia : came to Wisconsin in June, 18-46 ; was a resident of the town of Emmett, Dodge Co., until 1862 ; 
from 1868 to 1870, he was a student at the State University at Madison; graduated from the Law 
Department of that institution in June, 1870. Mr. Gardner is now serving as City Attorney. 

KICIIARU (jrESCHKE, dealer in stoves, hardware, tinware, etc.; born in Prussia March 9, 
1848; sou of C!iiarles (Jesuhke, who came to America with his family and located in Texas in 1853 ; 
resided there until 1861, then returned to Germany and remained until 1865, when they came to Water- 
town. Charles (ieschke died here in April, 1874 ; his widow is now a resident of this city. Richard 
Geschke has carried on business here since 1862, associated with his father and also with his brother 
Edward, until the death of the latter, about two years ago; since then, Richard has conducted the business 
alone. March 4, 1872, he was married, in Watertown, to Ida EckhofF, daughter of Ludwig Eckhoff; she 
was born in Watertown ; they have two children. Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the German Evan- 
sielical Lutheran Cliurch. 

GrST AVUS <itLOGER, general merchant ; born in Saxony July 6, 1838 ; came to Clyman, 
Dodge Co., Wis., with his parents, in October, 1849 ; lived there until the spring of 1861, then he moved 
to the town of Emmett, in the same county. Sept. 18, 1866, he was appointed Supervisor, and was 
elected to the sama office April 4, 1867 ; he was again elected Supervisor in April, 1877 ; after serving 
eight months, he resigned on account of removal to Watertown ; he was Treasurer of Emmett Township 
in 1865; prior to coming to Watertown in the fall of 1877, he was engaged in farming. He has been 
carrying on mercantile business since he came here. He was married in Clyman, May 29, 1862, to Mary 
M. Freber; she was born in Clyman, where her parents, Charles and Margaret Freber, settled at an early 
day. Mr. Gloger has five children living— Gustavus E., Alva C, Estella, Lena and Edey ; lost one 
daughter. Alma Endora ; she was born May 11, 1864, and died Sept. 6, 1864. Mr. G.'s father, Ernest 
Gloger, came with his family to America and located at Troy, N. Y., in 1840; lived there about two 
years, then removed to Northampton, Mass., where he resided until he came to Wisconsin in 1849. He 
died in Emmett Township in April, 1867. 

WILLIAM tJORDER, grocer, and dealer in flour, feed, crockery, wooden ware, lime, cement, 
stucco, fire-clay, plaster, etc.; farmer's produce bought and taken in exchange for goods ; store located on 
Main street, near Sixth. Mr. Gorder was born in Prussia July 3, 1848 ; came to America with his par- 
ents in 1851 ; located in Lebanon, Dodge Co.; came to Watertown in 1876. Married Amelia Kronitz 
June 23, 1871 ; she was born in Lebanon, Dodge Co., Wis.; they have two children — Eda and Henry. Mr. 
Gorder is a son of August and Louisa Gorder ; his f ithcr died in April, 1878, and his mother May 2, 1872. 

REV. FREDERICK «t}OTT«CHALK came to America in 1856; spent about four 
months in Buffalo, N. Y., then cirae to Milwaukee and has made that his home most of the time since. 
He was born iu Prussia July 18, 1843 ; received his elementary education in Europe ; he was for two years 
a student at the Baldwin University at Berea, Ohio; Sept. 29, 1867, he was ordained Deacon in the 
Methodist Church ; Sept. 19, 1869, he was ordained Elder: his first charge was at Fond du Lac, where 
he remained one year and a half; afterward at Beaver Dam and Herman for a year ; two years at Colum- 
bus ; three years at O.shkosh ; two years at Madison, having commenced work two years and a half prior 
to his ordination. Mr. Gottschalk graduated from the Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston, III., Jan. 15, 
1876; after several years of labor in the holy ministry, he decided that he would enter that institution 
and derive the benefits and advantages of a thorough English theological education, thereby being more 
fully fitted for the glorious work to which he had dedicated his life. In September, 1876, he came to 
Watertown. Aug. 19, 1866, he married Louisa Amalia Adam, daughter of George Adam, a native of 
Alsace, France, who came to Clyman, Dodge Co., in 1846. Mrs. Gottschalk was born in Erie Co., Penn., 
Jan. 26, 1845 ; they have four children living — Franklin Benjamin, born in Clyman, Dodge Co., Wis., 
Aug. 19, 1867; Albert Wesley, in Oshkosh, June 30, 1870; Emma Louisa, in Madison, Feb. 17, 
1872; Benjamin Theophilus, Sept. 15, 1877 ; lost two children — Lydia Martha, who died at the age of 
3 months, and Arthur Frederick, aged 11 months. 

(irEORlrE <irRAFEE, basket manufacturer; born in Prussia April 6, 1853; came to Amer- 
ica with his parents in 1856. He commenced work as a basket-maker when he was about 13 years of 
age and has continued at the same work ever since, for the last two years in business for himself He was 



608 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

married, Oct. 23, 1837, to Regina Colle ; she was born in Germany, they have one child — Mary, born 
Aug. 20, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Graffe are members of the German Catholic Church. The basket factory 
was established by Mr. G.'s father, John Graffe, in 1857 ; he carried on the basiness until his death, 
which occurred Dec. C, 1877, being 54 years of age ; his widow. Margaret Graffe, survives him and is 
now a resident of Watertown. 

REEVE drRISWOLD, born Jan. 23, 1809, in Chautauqua Co., N. Y.; came to Wisconsin 
in the spring of 1836 and located in Watertown, claiming 160 acres of land, which he sold and took up 
160 acres further west, all wild land, plenty of wolves and Indians and n it a \wme between here and 
Waukesha. Griswold, Baldwin and Johnson built the first log house in Watertown, which he suld with 
the land, and it stood four or five years ago, just north of where Evans' livery stable now stands. He 
afterward bought forty acres of the School Section in Dodge Co., but sold it, and is now liviug on the 
West road. Married Miss Lucy Ann Hewett, of Watertown ; he has five children — Reeve. Jefferson, 
Charles. Frank and Nettie. 

AMAXO (wKITZXER, proprietor of barber-shop; came to America from Silesia, Prussia, 
in 1854, where he had been a mu.sician, but learned the barber trade after he came to the United States 
and has since followed it. He married Miss Berdeuer Seaberg, of West Farland, Germany, in 1868, by 
whom he ha.s one child, who.^e name is Max, now 9 years of age. He, his wife and son, are members of 
the Catholic Church. Mr. Gritzner has been a member of the Temple of Honor since 1877 ; was in the 
3d United Stites Regulars for seven years, from 1861 to 1867 ; was mustered out of the service at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kan., in 18()7, when ho returned to Watertown a: d continued his trade. 

JOHN HABHEGdrER, general merchant; born in Switzerland April 19, 1844 ; came to 
Watertown with his parents in 1853. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Co. D. 23d W. V. I., 
at Madison in 1862 ; he was in all engagements that his regiment participated in, and was mustered out 
as Corporal at Mobile, Ala., July 4, 1865. He has been engaged in mercantile business for the last 
eleven years. He is Alderman of the First Ward. He is connected with the Turner Society ; he is also 
a member of the Concordia Musical Society. He was married. July 16, 1868. to Lena Schullz, daughter 
of C. W. Schultz, a prominent citizen of this city ; she was born in Watertown ; they have four children 
— Emma, Charles J., Bertha and Hattie. Mr. II. is a son of John Habhegger, Sr., who is now a resident 
of Fort .Vtkinson, this county. 

II. HABHE(]}GER, grocer, Sixth Ward, Dodge Co. ; born in Switzerland March 12, 1834; 
came to Wi.^cousin with his parents in 1853; engaged in farming until IStJl ; he then engaged in mer- 
cantile business, which he continued until 1867, when he again went on a farm and remained until 1869 ; 
since 1869, he has been carrying on mercantile business and also giving his attention to his farming 
interests. He has held various city and town offices ; he is now serving as Supervisor. He is a member 
of the I. 0. 0. F. Lodge and Concordia Musical Society. Dee. 31, 1857, he married Lena Gfeller, a 
native of Switzerland ; they have sis children — Sophia, Lizzie, Emil, Lena, Albert and Lillie. 

CHARLES HAEFFXER, butcher; born in Pru.ssia Jan. 22, 1839; came to Watertown 
iu 1847, with his father, Michael Haeffner ; they came to Milwaukee in 1846; Michael Haeffner was a 
cabinet-maker and turner by trade; he died here June 16, 1S69. Charles commenced business as a 
butcher in 1860. In .\ugust, 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 20th W. V.I. ; he was mustered out at Galves- 
ton, Tex., August, 1805. Returned to Watertown and resumed business as a butcher. He has been a 
member of Pioneer Fire Company No. 1 for the last eleven years ; he is a member of the I. O. 0. F. 
Lodge. Jan. 16, 1868, he was married to Helena Karcher, daughter of John Karcher, one of the early 
settlers of Watertown, having come here about 1850; she was born in Wurtemberg, liermany, Sept. 6, 
1845 ; they have four children — Charles, Helena, Frederick and Ernst. Mrs. Haeffner's father died 
Sept. 3. 1868. 

JOHX C HAELICirER, Justice of the Peace and insurance asent ; born in Prussia Oct. 
14, 1814 ; came to Watertown Oct. 14, 1848; for light years, he was engaged in the business of masou 
and bricklayer; afterward appointed Notary Public ; from 1859 to 1863, he was County Clerk of Dodge 
Co. ; afterward remained a resident of Juneau until 1866, carrying on farming and nursery business 
there; lived in Brown Co., Wis., and Minnesota a few years ; was employed as book-keeper in Bursin- 
ger's brewery five years. Alderman of the Sixth Ward two terms ; Assessor one year ; two years acting 
City Treasurer; about two years Justice of the Peace. His first wife was Margaret Ehleis ; they were 
married in Germany in 1842; .she died in December, 1858, leaving one daughter — Sophia, who now 
resides in Watertown; Mr. Halliger's second wife was Emma Toelke ; married in January. 1860; she 
died in 1864; one child by this marriage — Charles; Mr. II. 's present wife was Johanna D. Schultz, a 
native of Prussia; married in 1864 ; they have six children — Louisa, Rosa, Ernst, Dira. Fred and Emma. 



CITY OF WATERTOWX. 609 

T. S. HARBISON, veterinary surfreon ; born in Benson, Rutland Co., Vt., Dec. 1, 1815; 
lived there until he was 21 years of age, then went to Fort Ann, N. Y. ; remained there two years, and 
removed to Glens Falls, Warren Co., N. Y. ; resided there twelve years, then went to Buffalo, where he 
stayed two years ; afterward he spent two years in Cincinnati, seven years in Norwalk, Ohio, seven years 
at Fort Wayne, Ind. ; in July, 18(38, he came to Watertown. The Doctor has practiced veterinary sur- 
gery more or less for the last forty years ; for the last thirteen years, he has devoted his entire attention to 
the practice of his profession ; he spent fourteen or fifteen years of his life in manufacturing business, 
locomotive works, etc., manufacturing springs, etc. ; he invented the first spring furnace for heating and 
tempering the' entire length at one heat; he had charge of the locomotive works at Nashville, Tenn., prior 
to Hood's battle there during the late war. His first wife was Sarah Strong, of Norwalk, Ohio ; she died 
there, leaving two children — Adelaide (she died in infancy, soon after her mother's death"), Jarvis C. (now 
a resident of Watertown) ; the Doctor's present wife was Sophia Charlotte, a native of Berlin, Prussia ; 
they were married in Watertown Oct. 19, 1870. 

PHIlilPP HEINRICHS, proprietor of planing-mill and manufacturer of chairs, sash, 
doors, blinds, etc. ; he is also a member of Jungman & Co., furniture dealers; Mr. H. was born in 
Prussia Nov. 8, 1843 ; came with his parents to Albany, N. Y., in the spring of 1854, and to Watertown 
m the fall of the same year ; he commenced learning the trade of carpenter and joiner when only 13 
years of age ; about eleven years ago, he commenced the manufacture of badsteads ; carried on business 
for some time in company with Peter May ; two years ago, he commenced business alone where he is now 
located ; contracting and building is also a part of the business which he carries on. He is a member of 
the I. 0. 0. F., Sons of Hermann, Turner Society and Workman's Society, also of the Hook and Lad- 
der Company. Dec. 3, 1865, he was married, in Watertown, to Caroline Ratsch ; she was born in 
Prussia ; they have three children — Ida, Theodore and Caroline. 

HKRMASfJf HEISMABfN, manufacturer and dealer in, boots and shoes; was born in Ger- 
many Nov. 18, 1832; came to Watertown iu 1852; when 16 years of age, he commenced his present 
trade. Jan. 9, 1857, he married Eliza Spingler, also a native of Germany, by whom he has had seven 
children, five of whom survive — John, Edward, Bertha, Charles and Frank, Mena and Emma having 
died. He is a member of the German Methodist Church. 

D. HEIMSEHR, merchant; a native of the Kingdom of Prussia, where he was born April 
16, 1848; came to America in 1854, locating at Waukegan, 111., where he resided four years; removing 
thence to Watertown. For some time he was engaged in peddling, and thirteen years ago began his 
present bu.siness in Watertown. In October, 1858, he was married to Josephine Stueklih, a native of 
Bohemia, at W«.ukegan, by whom he has had three children — Mary, Anna and Charles. Mr. Heimsehr 
and his ftimily are members of the German Methodist Church. 

CASIMER HENRICH, foreman of F. Miller & Co.'s flouring-mill ; born Oct. 13, 1851, in 
Prussia; came to America in 18(i9 and located in Lowell, Dodge Co., Wis., where he learned and worked 
at his profession ; came to Watertown in 1873; worked for Milton Blanchard till 1875, when he entered 
the employ of F. Miller & Co.; he was made foreman April 1, 1879. Married Miss Louisa Kreuger, of 
Watert.iwn, Oct. 7, 1876, and has one ohild^Lilly, born Oct. 24, 1877. 

<i}EOR<wE HE\ZE, City Marshal; born in Hanover Jan. 9, 1841 ; came to America with 
his father in 1854 ; spent a few weeks in Milwaukee; then located in the town of Summit, Waukesha 
Co.; engaged in farming pursuits there one year; then removed to Richwood, Dodge Co., where his father 
purchased a saw-mill ; worked on a firm most of the time until 1859, when he came to Watertown ; here 
he served an apprenticeship at the wagon-maker's trade, working for Charles Krueger until Aug. 12, 
1862, when he enlisted in Co. E, 20th W. V. I. He was in all the engagements his regiment partici- 
pated in, and was mustered out as Second Lieutenant in July, 1865 ; returned to Watertown and worked 
at his trade of wagon-making until 1874; afterward, for nearly two years and a half, he was in the 
employ of Jacob Weber & Son, lumber merchants ; then worked at his trade again for a few months ; then 
entered the employ of J. B. Bennett, thrashiugmachine manufiicturer, building trucks; continued with 
Mr. Bennett until May 1, 1877, when he was appointed night-watch on the police force of this city; held 
that position until he was appointed City Marshal April 8, 1879 ; he was Constable in 1872 ; he spent a year 
and a half at Rio, Columbia Co., Wis., between 1869 and the spring of 1871. He was married in 'iVatertown 
in 1 865 to Amelia Nieolai; she was born in Germany ; they have six children — Geo., Jr., Wm., Augusta, 
Amelia, Augusta and Lisette ; lost one daughter, Lena, who died at the age of 6 months. Mr. Henze is a 
prominent member of the Fire Department and the following societies ; 1. 0. 0. F., Workmen's and Turners'. 

WILT^IAH HERBST, tailor. Fifth Ward, Dodge Co. ; born in Mecklenburg, Germany, 
Jan. 5, 1837 ; came to America in 1851 ; located in New York City; remained there until 1852 ; then 



610 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

came to Watertown ; commenced learning the tailor's trade in Germany when only 14 years of age ; has 
continued to work at the same business ever since. He was married in Watertown to Paulina Roder 
March 5, 185G; she was born in Silesia ; they have had nine childn n ; lost five; the living are Paul, 
Robert, Priscilla and Emma; those who have died were named William, Calvin, Emil. Willie and Eddie. 
Mr. Ilerbst has been a member of the School Board ; he is a member and one of the Trustees of the 
Evangelical Reformed Church. 

CHARLES WILIiIA:»I FRED HILCJENl>ORF, grocer and saloon-keeper. Sixth 
Ward, Dodge Co.; born in Prussia Dec. 21), 1832; came to AuiL'rira and located in Watertown in 1854; 
for sis months he was engaged in brickniaking; clerked two months for H. Bellach ; for twelve years, he 
was with William Buehheit ; afterward, for two years he carried on business as commission merchant at 
Beaver Dam, Wis. ; in May, 1878, he commenced the business he is now carrying on. Mr. Hilgendorf's 
first wife was Louise Roeber ; she died Sept. Iti, 1878, leaving two children — Cliarles and Anna. March 
1, 1879, Mr. H. married Mary Roeber, his present wife. Mr. H. is a member of the Sons of Hermann 
and Workingmen's Societies. 

M. A. HIRSH, dry-goods merchant; was born in Follheim, Bavaria, Aug. 8, 1838, and came 
to Wisconsin in March, 18G0), locaiingin Watertown. Mr. Hirsh landed in New York without one cent 
and immediately went to work at any honest employment he could find to do, such as carrying newspapers, 
driving express wagon, porter in stores, etc. In 18.54, he went to Chicago and became a clerk in the 
wholesale dry-goods house of Rosonfield & Rosenberg, after which, he moved to Wilmington, 111., and, 
in Connection with Mr. Levi Abt, under the firm name of Hirsh it Abt, opened a dry-goods store, which 
continued about three years, or until burnt out by fire, the insurance just paying the indebtedness. Hav- 
ing lost every cent by this disaster, became to Watertown, Wis., when his old cm]iloyers, Me.s.srs. Rosen- 
field & Rosenberg, loaned him mtmcy to again start in the dry-goods business ; this business he has carried 
on to the present writing with the most gratifying success. He married, June 17, 18(iS, Fannie Gold- 
man, niece of Levi Rosenfield, of Chicago ; he has three children living — Emma, Henry and Mas. 

HENRY S. HOWELL., general merchandise; born in Branchville, Su.ssex Co., N. J., Nov. 
6, 1811) ; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1848, locating at Milford. In 18.'>G, he went to Mississippi 
as Government Surveyor; in 1837, he went to Davenport, Iowa, and surveyed there for the Government ; 
he then went to New Jersey and .studied law with his brother, George R. Howell, for four years, and upon 
examination was admitted to practice, in 1843, before the United States Supreme Court; he then went 
to Carthage, Tenn., and taught a male academy at that place; then, in 1848, he moved with his father to 
Milford, where ho farmed one year. He re-engaged in surveying, receiving a contract to survey the Dells, 
embracing the Portage, and down the Fox River and u]) the Wisconsin River. In 1852, he returned to 
Davenport, and engaged for three years in the office of Cook & Sargent as book-keeper; in 1855, he 
returned to Milford and engaged in the general store business, under the firm name of R. & H. S. 
Howell; in 1857, he came to Watertown and opened a general store under the same firm name; this 
store was located on Main street, west of the river; in 1869, they removed to the present location on 
the east side of the river on Main street. In 1S49, he was Justice of the Peace of Milford; in 1868, 
was a member of the Legislature from the towns of Watertown and Ixonia. Mr. Howell married, in 
March, 1861, Ann Janette Nute, of Vernon, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Howell are members of the Episcopal 
Church. 

REV. J. HOVLER, Pastor of the Moravian Church at Watertown; was born in the King- 
dom of Wurtembcrg, Germany, March 24, 1838 ; came to Wisconsin Jan. 9, 1879, locating in Water- 
town. Mr. Hoyler has engaged in farming in New Jersey, and also in Minnesota; on Oct. 4, 1871, he 
received a call from the Jloravian Church at Lakotown. Carver Co., Minn., as Pixstor, where he remained 
for seven years ; he then received a call from the Moravian Church at Watertown, of which Church he 
is now Pastor ; in 1871, lie was clerk of the School Board in Laketown. Minn.; it was through his instru- 
mentality that the church at Laketown was built. He married, Oct. 2; 186-1, Emclinc Rupprecht ; has 
four children — Emanuel, Elizabeth, Nathaniel and Clemens. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyler are members of the 
Moravian Church. 

CAPT. LEONARD JAEHRLIN(,i, proprietor of saloon; born in Germany Aug. 9. 
1817 ; came to America in 1846 ; located in New York City ; resided there until 1852 ; he then went to 
Baltimore, where he resided until 1857 ; then came to Watertown ; remained here until 1859, when he 
returned to New York City; in 1861, he entered the army ;i.s Captain of Co. C, Idth N. Y. V. I.; after 
three months' service, he came to Watertown, and was recruiting officer in this district until 1864 ; in 
1864, returned to New York City; in 1865, came to Watertown again, and has resided here ever since. 
Before leaving Europe, Mr. J. served as an officer in the Hessian army ; he has held various city offices in 



CITY OF WATERTOAVN. 611 

WatertowQ, such as Alderman, Captain of Rifle Company, Captain of Hose Company, Captain of Sack 
Company. Hay and Wood Inspector, etc.; he is a member of Turner Society, Concordia Musical Society, 
I. 0. 0. F., Fire Department and Sons of Hermann ; he was one of the founders of the latter Society. 
He wiis married to his present wife in Watertown July 4, 1857 ; her name was Augusta Kuckhan ; she 
was born in Prussia ; they have two children — Leonard, Jr., and Julia. 

Ei>WARD JOHIVSOX, retired dru'jijist ; first came to Watertown in the spring of 1843 ; 
he has been a permanent resident of this place since the fall of 1844 ; he commenced business here as a 
druggist, and carried on that business until 1874, being located where G-. & H. T. Eberle now have a 
drug store. Dr. Johnson was born in Ireland ; came to America in 183G; lived in Louisiana, Ohio and 
Alabama, prior to coming to Wisconsin ; he has held various city and county offices, such as Alderman, 
Supervisor, etc. In June, 184G, he was married, in Watertown, to Mary Crowley, daughter of Daniel 
and Ellen Crowley, who located in this town, near present city limits, in 1836. 

DANIEL JONES, PresidenUif the Wisconsin National Bank, is a native of GroflFstown, N. H.; 
at an early age, his parents removed to Jefferson Co., N. Y., wherefrom, after a brief residence, they once 
more removed to Oneida Co. In 1843, the subject of this sketch joined the Western tide and cime to 
Milwaukee, where he was engaged in mercantile ventures, one year of his residence being engaged with a 
partner in conducting the American House; in October, 1845, he settled in Watertown, where he carried 
on merchandising, which was further enlarged in 1852, by the establishment of a banking and exchange 
office, which he conducted suocessfiilly for many years, the same finally becoming the Jeffers(m County 
Bank, which was organized under his direction, and was largely controlled by him until 1863, when the 
■bank discontinued business, and he identified himself with the Wisconsin National Bank, which was organ- 
ized soon after; his mercantile undertakings were continued most of the time until 1864, when he turned 
his attention to the manufacture of woolen goods, being the part owner of the woolen mills at Watertown, 
which were operated for four or five years under the firm name of S. Ford & Co., afterward D. Jones & 
Co., until two years ago, when Mr. Jones leased them to D. P. Price, by whom they are at present oper- 
ated ; Mr. Jones has been not less prominently identified with transportation facilities, the plank-roads of 
the early days, and later, the railroads, owing, in a large manner, their success and efficiency to his energy, 
enterprise and foresight ; the confidence felt in his judgment and capacity has found frequent expression 
among his friends and neighbors, by whom he has been several times elected Alderman, Chairman of the 
Board of Supervisors, and to other offices of honor and trust. 

THOMAS C. JOXES was born in Watertown, on the 13th of March, 1850. At the age of 
14, having received a common-school education, he entered the curriculum of the Northwestern Uni- 
versity, in which he remained until the age of 18. He then went into the dry-goods house of M. 
A. Hirsch & Co., in a clerical capacity, and, at the end of two years, engaged in the same business with 
H. S. Howell, with whom he remained for six years. In 1875, he became connected with the Watertown 
Democrat as associate editor, and upon the death of Mr. Ballou, its chief editor and proprietor, took entire 
charge of the paper ; six months later, he purchased the Democrat, and has since remained to the present 
time its proprietor and editor. At the present writing, Mr. Jones is unmarried. 

JOSEPH JUlVCirMAN, furniture dealer ; born in Ixonia Township, this county, March 17, 
1848. He married Mary Slangier Nov. 12, 1872; she was born in Austria; they have one child — 
Joseph, Jr. Mr. J. commenced working at the trade of cabinet-maker in 1861 ; in 1872, he commenced 
business for himself, purchasing the interest of his former employer — Peter May. Mr. Jungman's father, 
Allis Jungman, who came to America in 1845, died in Ixonia in 1851 ; his widow removed to Watertown 
in 1852. Mr. J. is a member of the Fire Department, (jerman Catholic Church, St. Henry's Society, etc. 

HENRY JIISTMANN, produce and commission merchant; born in Prussia Feb. 5, 1836 ; 
came to Watertown in June, 1866. Ho was married to Mena .Indnechel Oct. 30, 1857 ; she was born in 
Prussia ; they have five children — Hermann, Robert, Bertha, Martha and Annie. 

JOHN KECK, furniture dealer; born in Germany Deo. 19, 1818; came to America and 
located in New Y(irk City in April, 1850 ; remained there until he came to Waitertown in June, 1851 ; 
Worked at trade of cabinet-maker until 1853, when he commenced business for himself He is one of the 
first Odd Fellows of this place, he has been a member of that Order for over twenty-five years. He was 
married in Watertown, Aug. 9, 1851, to Rosina Seagel ; she was born in Germany ; they have five chil- 
dren living— Anna, Auiiust, Amalia, Albert and Freddie ; lost two sons who died in infancy. 

JUL.IUS H. KEYES was bom Sept. 21, 1840, in Randolph, Vt. ; removed from there with 
his parents to Garrettsville, Ohio, in 1844 ; from there the family went to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and, in 
July, 1849, they removed to Watertown, Wis.; received a common-school education, and assisted his 
father in his hoe and pitchfork factory until 1853, when he began to learn the trade of a printer, at the 



612 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

same time " carrying the routes " of several weekly papers. Left the case to go to the war in defense of the 
Union in August, 1862, enlisting as Second Corporal in Company B, 2yth W. V. I. ; was in the battles 
of Port Gibson and Champion Hill, Miss. ; was seriously wounded in the latter engagement, receiving a 
minie ball in the right temple, which passed back of the right eyeball and lodged in the right cavity of 
ihe nose, where it remained for two years, when it was removed by Dr. Brainard, of Chicago. Mr. Keycs, 
with many others of his comrades, laid on the battlefield at Champion Hill for three weeks after the 
engagement, when he was removed to Memphis and placed in the hospital. Discharged from the service 
Oct. 16, 18ii3, and was soon afterward removed to the hospital in St. Louis. Returned to Watortown six 
months after being wounded, and after the surgical operation above referred to, he resumed his place at 
" the case " on the Z^emocca/. In February, 1866, became connected with the Watertown Repiih/i'can, 
and, in August, 1868, became the purchaser of that journal, and has remained its proprietor and editor 
ever since. In January, LS68, Mr. Keyes was appointed by Secretary of State Warren as insurance clerk 
in his office, and still continues to hold the position. Oct. 15, 1873, was married at Lake Mills to Miss 
Martha Churchill of that place. Mr. Keyes is ably assisted in his editorial duties by Mr. William L. 
Norris. 

LEWIS KNIESEIj, proprietor of butchering establishment; was born in Hessia, Germany, 
Jan. 31, 1819; he learned his trade in his native country, and, about the year 1845, he went to Frank- 
fort on the Main, where he was in the employ of one man for seven years; came to Watertown in 1853, 
where he has since lived. Married Miss Mary Wahg, of Frankfort, in 1846, with whom he lived till 
June, 1875, when she died, leaving one son — Lewis, who is now in Dakota. 

C. KOEXIG, born in Southern Germany July 25, 1822. Married Louisa Menz in February, 
1847 ; she was born on the river Rhine Dec. 18, 1822 ; they came to Watertown in 1853 ; worked about 
three months in brewery, and, fir f )ur years, worked by the month in a mill, having learned the milling 
business in Europe; rented a mill at Marshall, and carried it on for two years, then returned to Watertown 
and remained for a year; he then bought a mill at Beaver Dam and conducted it for four years ; he then 
came to Hustisford and carried on milling there for four years, afterward returned to Watertown and pur- 
chased the Rough and Ready Mill, of which he is still a half-owner ; he is now interested in grain and 
elevator business. Mr. Koeni'.; visit'xl Europe in 1873 and 1878; when he returned from his last trip, he 
brousiht with him two of his wife's brother's children — Fred and Louisa Mentz. 

■^FRANK KOENIU, farmer, Fifth Ward, Dodge Co.; born in Germany Oct. 16, 1827 ; came 
to Watertown in 1852; until 1874. he was engaged extensively in milling business; operated in that 
business in Beaver Dam, Hustisford, Watertown, etc., also carried on brewing some ; since 1874, he has 
been engaged in farming. He is Chairman of the Board of Supervisors ; has held that position several 
terras ; he is a member of the A., F. & A. M. May 10, 1855, he was married in Watertown to Sophia 
Gales ; she was born in Germany ; they have five children — Ferdinand, Kdward, Rudolph. George and Ida. 

AtHwUST KRAMP, wagon-maker and blacksmith; born in Prussia July 2, 1837; com- 
menced learning the blacksmith trade when he Wiis 16 years of age. Married Alvina Sehroeder, daughter 
of Caspar Sehroeder, Nov. 7, 1862; she was born in Prussia; they have eight children — Robert, Matilda, 
Leonard, Theodore, Bernard, Alvina, Henry and Oscar. Mrs. K. is a member of St. John's Jjuthoran 
Church. Mr. K. came to Watertown with his father, Gottfried Krarap, in 1857. Gottfried Kramp died 
here in lS(i2. 

E.7IIL KRAJIER, cigar-maker (wifh Wigaenhorn Bros.) ; born in Saxony Aug. 22, 1853 ; 
came to Watertown in 1867; engaged in cigar-making ever since. He was married, Oct. 19, 1878, to 
Mollie Baumann : she was born here. Mr. Kramer is a member of the Turner Society, Harugari, etc. 

WILililAJI K RE BS, grocer and proprietor of saloon ; born in Brunswick, Germany, June 
25, 1845; came to America in 1867 ; arrived at Watertown May 11 of that year; worked at his trade of 
ma.son until 1875, when he engaged in the business which he now carries on. He married Alma Kramer, 
in Watertown, Feb. 21. 1869; she was born in Saxony; they have four children— William, Jr., Zetonia, 
Max and Arthur; lost one daughter — Helena, who died Aug. 20, 1875, aged 4 years and 3 months. 
Mr. Krcbs is prominently connected with several of the societies, I. 0. 0. F., Jeflerson Co. Benefit 
Society, Harugari, etc. 

FRED KN^OXITZ, proprietor of the Washington House; born in Lebanon, Dodge Co., Wis., 
March 29, 1846; engaged in tarming until he came to Watertown, in October, 1875; engaged in hotel 
and saloon business since he came here. June 24, 1871, he married Minnie Gorder ; she was born in 
Prussia ; they have three children living— Louis, Eda and Henry ; they have lost one infant. 

L. W. KRUEGER, proprietor of the Wisconsin House; born in Prussia Sept. 26, 1844 ; 
came to America in May, 1852 ; located at Buffalo, N. Y. ; lived there until 1854 ; July 4, of that year, 



jS!?^-: 





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t^^-n^n-jt^ 



wate:rtown 



CITY OF WATERTOWN. 615 

he arrived in VVatertown ; worked for B. 0' Byrne, as shoemaker's apprentice, for three years ; after serving 
his apprenticeship with Mr. 0' Byrne, he worked two years longer for him ; concluding to engage in other 
business, he went to Chicago and was employed as a grocery clerk there for one year, then returned to 
Watertown, and was engaged in farming one year; farming not being congenial to him, he went to Ocono- 
mowoc and carried on business for himself, as shoemaker, for four years ; then sold out and kept a board- 
ing-house one year; afterward carried on the grocery and commission business for years, when he sold out 
that business and returned to Watertown in 1874, since which time he has been engaged in keeping hotel. 
He was married, in Chicago, April 2, 1868, to Bertha Muth, a former schoolmate and neiuhbor for sev- 
eral years ; she was born in Nassau June 7, 18-16, and came to America, with her parents, when she was 
4 years of age ; they have five children — ^Emma, born Feb. 2, 1869 ; Charles, born Dec. 26, 1871 ; Louis, 
born Nov. 4, 1873; Hattie, born Dec. 11, 1876, and Celea, born July 13, 1878. Mr. Krueger is one of 
the orii^inators of the Concordia Musical Society. 

WILIilAM H. KRUKGER, proprietor of bakery; was born in Germany July 5, 1843; 
learned the baker's trade at the age of 14, which he has since followed. He came from his native country 
to Watertown in 1869. Married Miss Henrietta Buchmald July 14, 1869. Both are members of the 
Lutheran Church. Have five children living, and one dead ; those living are Mary, born April 2, 1870 ; 
Martha, Feb. 26, 1871 ; Teresa, Feb. 11, 1873; Bernhardt, Nov. 26, 1875 ; Emma, Aug. 9, 1877. Mr. 
Krueger has been a member of the I. 0. 0. F. since 1876. 

JOHN li. KUBK. Justice of the Peace ; born in Poland Nov. 25, 1816 ; studied jurisprudence 
in the schools of Berlin for three and a half years, and then went to the Province of Posen, Pru,ssia, for nine 
months a.s a student ; then to the Courts of Birnbaum for more than three years. He was then sent to 
the town of Frankfurt, on the River Oder, in February, 1848; thence to Koenigsberg as an Associate 
Judge, where he remained till 1854, when he came to New York State, and thence to Fond du Lac, Wis., 
where he remained till 1855 ; then he moved to Mayville, where he remained till the year 1858. He 
moved to Watertown in 1858, where he has since lived, and has been Deputy Sheriff and Justice of the 
Peace most of the time, and is at present Justice of the Peace. Married Miss Ida Doering in jMarch, 1853, 
by whom he has had four children — Laura, born Jan. 7, 1861 ; Alfred, Nov. 15, 1863; Ida, July 25, 
1867 ; Adolph, May 26, 1871 ; all of whom are single and with their parents; are members of the Cath- 
olic Church. 

JERBfEST KLINERT, of the firm of Kunert Brothers, machinists; was born in Austria April 
25, 1847 ; came to America and located in Watertown in 1851. At the age of 14 years, he began the 
machinist's trade, having for a year previous to that time been employed as an assistant to a watchmaker, 
and has, since April, 1875, been engaged in business on his own account. On New Year's Day, 1871, he 
married Lucinda Quies, who was a native of Bohemia ; they have four children — Charles, Tena, George 
and Frances. Mr. Kunert is a member of the Odd Fellows' Fraternity, Turner Society and Fire Depart- 
ment, being engineer of Pioneer Company. 

ERANK KUNERT, of the firm of Kunert Bros., proprietors of machine shops, dealers in 
guns, etc. ; born in Austria April 27, 1S50 ; commenced learning the machinist's trade in 1866 ; engaged 
in business for himselt for the last five years. Kunert Bros, do a large business in steam and gas fitting. 
F. Kunert was married to Katherine Urban March 13, 1872; she was born in Prussia Jan. 31, 1851 ; she 

died June 6, 1877. leaving three children, all of whom are now living — Rosa, born June 27, ; 

Edward, Feb. 12, 1S74, and Ottelia, April 14, 1877. 

JOHN KUESTER, cigar-maker; born in Milwaukee Sept. 2, 1852; lived there until he was 
9 or 10 years of ase ; then for two or three years lived in Hartford, Washington Co., Wis.; from there he 
came to Watertown, where he has since resided ; commenced work as cigar-maker for Wiggenhorn Bros, 
ten years ago; in December, 1876, he commenced business for himself and continued until May, 1878; 
worked at machinist's trade for Kunert Bros, several months. Mr. Kuester is a member of Pioneer Fire 
Co., No. 1. Oct. 16, 1875, he married Miss Mary Kunert; she was born in Watertown ; they have two 
children — Rosa and Fred. , 

D. Kl^SEIi, hardware merchant; was born in Doenitz, Mecklenburg, Feb. 28, 1838; came to 
Wisconsin June 16, 1S49, locating in Watertown. In July, 1849, his father, Daniel Kusel, started the 
stove and tinware business, and afterward, as the business and place grew, added the hardware line. Mr. 
D. Kusel learned his trade with his father, and, in 1864, in cunnection with his brother, Mr. F. Kusel, 
bought out his father's interest, and together they have since carried on the business with the most gratify- 
ing success, they occupying two large stores on Main street and Western avenue. They also manufacture 
tin, copper and sheet-iron ware, In about 1862, he was elected Alderman of the Fifth Ward. He was 
married the first time, in September, 1866, to Sophia Thiessenhausen, who died Jan. 8, 1873. He married 

B 



616 BlOCiRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the second time, November 29, 1874, Christina Huether, of Salzunjen, Saschmciniger ; has six children 
living — Louis, Daniel, Ernst, Sophia, Jennie and George. Mr. Kusel belongs to the German Lutheran 
Church. 

F. KI^SiiLi, hardware merchant, etc.; was born in Docnitz, Germany, Nov. 1, 1839; came to 
Watertuwn in 1841) with his father and learned the hardware and tin trade with him; in 1864, in con- 
necticiu with his brother, D. Kusel, bought out his father and they still continue in the hardware business 
under the firm name of D. & F. Kusel. Mr. Kusel went to Texas for a short time, and, on the outbreak 
of the war, cime home and raised a company of 104, which was attached to the 20th Wis. V. L, Col. 
Pinckney, and was known as Co. E, and in which he enlisted Aug. 16, 18G2 ; Mr. Kusel was engaired 
with the regiment in the following battles: Prairie Grove, Ark.; siege of Vicksburg, Yazoo City, Pore 
Hudson and a number of skirmishes; he was wounded slightly in the hip at the battle of Prairie Grove; 
received his discharge in October, 1863. He has held the following offices: In IStiS. Alderman of the Fourth 
Ward; 1872, Mayor of Watertown; in 1875, Supervisor of Fourth Ward, also Alderman of Fourth 
Ward; in 1879, Mayor of Watertown. He married, March 4, 18(54, Mary Bodien, of Germany ; he has 
four children living — Theodore D., Bertha, Edward H. and Arthur, all born in Watertown. 

CLEMENT LAL^B, carpenter, contractor and builder; born in Germany Jan. 10, 1837; 
came to America and located in Watertown in 1806. He was married, Nov. 10, 1869, to Eliza Buck ; 
she was born in Watertown ; they have four children — Dora, Casper, Anton and Constantine ; lost one 
daughter — Katie. 

FERDIN^AND LiEflKE. butcher; born in Prussia Nov. 12, 1845; came to this county in 
August, 1861 ; fi>r two or three years, he was engaged in firming; since then, he has been engaged in 
butchering; for the last seven years, in business for himself In 1871, he was married in Watertown to 
Bertha Eiffler; they have three childr.'n — Henry, MoUie and an infant son ; lost two children, one daughter 
died in infancy, another daughter, Lillie, died at the age of 3 years. 

JOSEPH LjINDOX, proprietor of the Lindon House; born in England. Mr. L. is among 
the prnminent citizens of this city. He has been largely interested in pork-packing, stock-dealing, etc., 
for many years, and, at the same time, has been the proprietor of the Lindon, one of the best-conducted 
houses in the State. 

OTTO F. W. LiOEFFIiER, hardware salesman; came to Wisconsin in 1867; he was 
engaged in nursery business for J. C. Plumb, at Milton, fir two years ; afterward, resided in Milwaukee 
and Iowa until he came to Watertown ; engaged in present business for five years. Nov. 11, 1876, he 
married Augusta Reichow ; she died Aug. 16, 1877. Mr. Loeffler is a member of St. John's Lutheran 
Church ; he is also connected with Pioneer Fire Company, No. 1, and Workmen's Society. 

HE\RY A. LOEHR, proprietor of saloon ; born in Hanover Feb. 22, 1837; came to 
Watertown in 1857 ; engaged at his trade of shoemaker until 1875 ; from that time until July 1, 1879, 
he was engaged in butchering business. Sept. 5, 1868, he was married to Caroline Uhlrich ; she was born 
in Germany ; they have two children living — Caroline and Amelia ; they have lo.st five children. Mr. L. 
is a member of the Sons of Hermann and Harugari Orders. 

C. T. liOTK, proprietor of one of the most complete hot-houses in the West ; he was born in 
Germany March 19, 1836; came to America in 1856 ; remained in New York City a few months; then 
he came to Richmond, McHenry Co., 111., where he resided until February, 1858, when he came to Water- 
town ; engaged in cigar business from the summer of 1858 to May, 1863 ; then he was engaged in farm- 
ing until the spring of 1864; for a short period, he was not in active business; then he carried on saloon 
business with a partner for two years; afterward, alone in same business, until he sold out in the spring of 
1879. He married Jjouisa Engelbracht Jan. 10, 1861 ; she was born in central part of Germany ; they 
have four children — Theodore, Amelia, Maria and Caroline. Mr. l^otz is a prominent member of the I. 
0. 0. F ; he is one of the originators of the Turner Society here, and its establishment and success is 
largelv attributalile to his efforts. 

HEXRV A. Ll'THER, merchant, Richwood, Dodge Co.; born in Germany April 5, 1832; 
came to America in 1857 ; located at Shields, where he remained throe years ; then he went on a farm in 
the same township ; carried that on for seven years ; then came to Watertown ; resided here until 1875, 
when he removed to Richwood. He was married, in Watertown, in September, 1857, to Margaret Wether ; 
she was born in (Germany ; they have two children — Lizzie and Emma. 

MARTHA liHTHER, foreman of blacksmith's shop of C. & St. P. Railroad ; born Sept. 18, 
1834, in Prussia; was educated there, and followed his father's profession as a blacksmith: came to 
America in 1856 ; stayed in Milwaukee till 1862 ; then went to New Li.sbon, Juneau Co., where he worked 
in a buggy and wagon shop; in 1859, entered the employ of the railroad, and in November, 1869, was 



CITY OF WATERTOWN. 617 

moved to Watertown ; was made foreman in 1S62, and still holds that position. Married Miss Charlotte 
Prebnow, of Prussia, Oct. 13, 1858, and has three children living— Charlotte, Alouis and Laura. 

TJHOS. McC ABE, jiroprietor of marble works ; was born in Ireland in 1834; came to America 
in 1840; located in Philadelphia, where he learned and followed the marble trade till 1 8(51), when he 
moved to Watertown and continued his business ; he is now proprietor of the marble works on north side 
of Main street, we.st of the river. Married Miss Catharine Dugan, of Milwaukee; they have eiglit chil- 
dren, as follows: Mary -P., born Oct. 14, 18(50 ; Andrew, Sept. 10, 18(52; Sheridan, Sept. 7, 1864 ; John, 
Oct. 10, 18(5(5; Kate, June 16, 1869; Susan, Oct. 25, 1871 ; Thomas, Nov. 13, 1874; Isabel, Feb. 7, 
1877. He, wife and children are all members of the Catholic Church. Was in tlie 23d 111. V. I., under 
Col. Wosen ; enlisted in the spring of 18G5, and was mustered out in August, 1865; was elected Alder- 
man in the spring of 1879, but resigned soon after his election. 

MICHAEL. McHl'GH, retired merchant; was born in Maine Doc. 9, 1833, located in 
Watertown in 1846; he went to California in the year 1854, where he remained till 1856, when he 
returned to Watertown, where he has since resided and been engaged in the mercantile business until 
recantly. Married Miss Bridget Weaver Feb. 13,1861 ; has four children — Terresa, born Jan. 22, 1862 ; 
Ch:.rles, Oct. 21, 1865; ■\Villie, March 20, 1869; Edward, March 17, 1875. Mr. McHugh was elected 
School (Jonimissioner in 1862, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his brother Francis; in 1863, he 
was elected Alderman, which office he held during the years 1863 and 1864 ; he was again elected to that 
office in the spring of 1878, but resigned soon after his election. He and his family are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

FREDERICK MAERZKE, wagon-maker. Sixth Ward, Dodge Co.; born in Prussia 
March 2i, 1827 ; came to America ia 1852 ; lived in Milwaukee one year and a half; came to Watertown 
in 1854 ; commenced wagon-maker's trade when only 14 years of age ; he has been five terms Alderman 
of the Sixth Ward ; he is a member of the I. O. O. F. May 27, 1867, he was married to Mary Ann, 
daughter of John Habhegger; she was born in Switzerland July 13, 1840, and died in February, 1877 ; 
>even children survive her — Philipp, Frederick, Jr., Charles, Oscar, Sophia and Lina ; lost one son and a 
daughter. 

HENRY MALI>AXER, retired merchant; came to Watertown in the fall of 1848; he was 
associated with Andrew Peterson in mercantile business until 1854. In 1856-57, he was in partnership 
with a cousin for about a year and a half ; since that time he has given his attention to the profitable 
investments made b_v him. Mr. M. has been remarkably fortunate in his enterprises, never having been 
compelled to defer payment of his obligations. He has been Alderman of his ward. He was born in the 
Province of Nassau, New Prussia, May 31, 1821. His first wife was F. Fels ; they were married in 
September, 1849; she died in March, 1862, leaving four children — Henry, Frank, Paulina (now Mrs. 
William A. Bierhaus) and Matilda. Mr. Maldaner's present wife was Mary Racek ; married July 9, 
1870 ; they have two children — Edward and Arthur. 

A. iP. MANXECJOLiD, retired, Watertown ; was born in Saxony, now Prussia, March 5, 
1817; when he was 9 years of age, his parents died; his father having been a Second Lieutenant in the 
Prussian Army, the son became a cadet in the military school at Langdorf, Waisanfels, Prussia, where'he 
roiuaincd until he was 14 years of age, when he was compelled to give up the profession of arms ort 
aeccjunt of the breaking of his leg. He then engaged as a cook on board the ship " Statesman." Having 
broken his arm, he left the ship, and landed at Sheboygan, in this State, on the 24th day of September,- 
1847. That fall he worked upon a farm, and the next spring learned the trade of milling, paintin<jr and 
carpentering, carrying on the same for two years, when he went to New Orleans and worked at his trade 
until the breaking-out of the cholera, when he went to Indiana and carried on his trade of miller. He 
tlien went to Jlilan, Ohio, where he married Mi.-is Heraith Kober, who came from (Germany in the year 
1850. After his marriage, he moved to Syracuse, N. Y., and engaged in the grocery business. In 1852, 
he wont to Canada and ran a saw-mill, and, several years afterward, returned to Ohio, and from there went 
to Burlington, Iowa. On account of ill health, he returned to Europe with liis family, and, afccr a brief 
sojourn, returned again to the United States, and first settled in Chicago, having a hotel and restaurant. 
In 1864, he came to Watertown. and has lived retired ever since, his sons carrying on the well-known and 
popular Commercial Hotel. They had nine children, five living — Henrietta ( now Mrs. H. Bertram), 
George, Emma, Annie and Clara, and four deceased — one named Mary ; the other three died in 
infancy. 

Christian MAVER, jiroprletor of planing-mill, manuflicturer of sash, doors, blinds, etc., 
contractor and builder ; born in Baden, Germany, Jan. 24, 1827 ; came to America in 1853; spent six 
months in Brooklyn, then went to Bufl'alo, where he remained until 1856. He was married in Buffalo ti> 



618 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Frederika Melcher Oct. 18, 1855 ; she was born in Prussia Nov. 20, 1832 ; they have twelve children — 
Lizzie, Augusta, Hermann, Louis, Henry, William, George, Annie, Clara, Ottillie, Emma and Amelia. 
Mr. Mayer worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade in Brooklyn, and was with Dart Brothers, proprie- 
tors of the Buffalo City Planing-mills, while in Buffalo; came to Watertown in 1856; worked at the car- 
penter's trade here until 1861. He then engaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, and run- 
ning a planing-mill. Mr. Mayer has been Alderman of this city nine years, elected Mayor once, served in 
the State Assembly one term. He is one of the most popular and public-spirited men in the com- 
munity. 

CHRISTIAN MAY, cooper, also member of the firm of F. Miller & Co., proprietors flouring- 
mills ; was born in the south part of (xerniany, on the river Rhine, Aug. 28, 1824. In 184G, he emi- 
grated to America and located in Buffalo, N. Y., where he remained a little over a year, and moved to 
Michigan, staying there, however, but a short time. He passed two years between Milwaukee and Chi- 
cagc), the winters being passed in the latter city, working at his trade of cooper, when he made his resi- 
dence in Wat^rtown, where he began business in the summer of 1849. During Mr. May's residence in 
Watertown, he has been identified with all that contributed to the welfare and prosperity of his adopted 
residence, and the citizens have, on several occasions, testified their appreciation of his efforts by his elec- 
tion to city offices. Nov. 28, 1852, he married Lena Kloger, a native of Germany, but raised in Massa- 
chusetts, whence she was brought with her parents when 4 years of age. They have two sons — Gusta- 
vus, born Dec. 22, 1853, and Edward, Deo. 28, 1856, who are engaged in looking after the varied inter- 
ests of their father. 

A. B. MAY, photographer; born in London, England, Sept. 14, 1847 ; came to Wisconsin in 
July, 1855, locating at Milwaukee. He was with W. H. Sherman, photographer, of Milwaukee, as appren- 
tice, for three years, and afterward was operator for Brand, of Chicago. On Aug. 10, 1869, he came to 
Watertown as operator for F. Bishop & Son, photographers, with whom he remained six years. In 1875, 
he engaged rooms on Main street, and went into the photographic business on his own account, which he 
has continued up to the present time. Mr. May is considered the best photographic artist in Watertown. 
He married, Oct. 1, 1870, Amanda Henrietta Bischoff, of Sheboygan ; has three children — John Francis, 
Henrietta Elizabeth and Alice. 

A. W. MEYER, grain-buyer; born in Germany July 8, 1826; came to America in 1851 ; 
located at Springfield, Ohio, for three years, then came to Watertown. He was married in Waukesha, 
March 11. 1854, to Laura Lasier ; she was born in Germany ; they have one child — Louis. 

HENRY MEYER, manufacturer of boots and shoes, and dealer in leather, hides, furs, pelts, 
etc. ; boru in Germany Aug. 24, 1824 ; came to Springfield, Ohio, in spring of 1853, resided there until 
he came to Watertown in 1855. Mr. Meyer has been engaged in present business ever since he came here. 
He was married in December, 1852, in Germany, to Marie Thompson, a native of that country ; they have 
six children — -Henry, Jr., Adolph, Agnes, Leonard, Ida and Eugene ; lost two children that died in infancy. 

E. H. MEYER, teacher; born in Hanover, Germany, April 20, 1847; when he was only 3 
years of age, his father, H. Louis Meyer, came to America with his family and located in Cook Co., 111., 
where they lived until F. H. was 14 years of age; then removed to Minnesota; he lived there until 1866, 
when he entered the Lutheran Seminary at Addison, 111., from which institution he graduated in 1868 ; 
since tliat time, he has been engaged in teaching, all the time in this place. He is a member of the Evan- 
gelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States, Northwestern District ; also a member of St. 
John's Church. Oct. 4, 1871, he w;is married in Watertown to Augusta Harte; she was born in Ger- 
many ; they have two children — Ilenate and Theodore. 

JULiIUS MEYER, grocer, proprietor of saloon, and dealer in hides, etc. ; born in Hanover, 
March 7, 1826. Mr. Meyer has had a remarkable military career; he served a year and a half in the 
army of the Pope; in 1854, 1855 and 1856, he served in the 13th Regiment, English Army (was at the 
battle of Sebastopol) ; came to America Dec. 31, 1860 ; enlisted in 1861, in the i3th U. S. Regulars at 
Newport, Ky. ; served until the close of the war ; he then returned to Germany and served for six months 
in the German Army. In 1866, he returned to America and was located in Milwaukee until 1868, when 
he came to Watertown. He was married here July 24, 1871, to Amalia Brandt; she was born in Ger- 
many ; they have two children — Hulda and Techle. Mr. Meyer is a member of I. 0. 0. F. and Work- 
men's Societies. 

F. MILLER, manufacturer of flour; was born in Standenbuchl, Bavaria, Oct. 26, 1833, and 
came to Wisconsin in July, 1855, locating in Watertown, Wis. He first came to New York City; remained 
for two months, and from there moved to Watertown. In 1855, he entered the employ of William Bokite, 
lif|uor dealer, and afterward engaged in the same business on his own account in connection with Mr. 



CITY OF WATERTOWN. 619 

Jacoby, under the firm name of Jacoby & Miller, which business he continued for twelve years. In 18G7, 
in connection with Mr. May, started a saw-mill and stave manufactory, which he continued for four years; 
he then engaged in the milling business, is now engaged in the same under the firm name of F. Miller & 
Co., their mills manufacturing over seventy thou.sand barrels of flour per year. Mr. Miller married Minnie 
Riehl, of Milwaukee ; he has two children — Clara and Eliza. 

A. F. MIliliER, manufacturer of cigars, and dealer in tobacco, smokers' articles, etc. ; born in 
Hanover Sept. 29, 1834 ; came to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1854 ; resided there two years ; then came to 
Watertown, employed as clerk in mercantile business until 1861 ; one year was clerk in the Post Office here ; 
in 1862, he engaged in present business. Mr. Miller has served two terms as Supervisor; he is one of 
the present Aldermen. Mr. Miller is a representative man of this city. 

JOHX HI, llIUdliVjR, musician ; was born in Denmark April 30, 1833, and came to 
Wisconsin in June, 1848, locating in Hartland, Wis., where he assisted liis father on the farm ; 
from there, he moved to Watertown, and was for four years clerk in the Post Otfice, after which, he 
engaged in the profession of music, teaching the piano, organ, violin and all brass and string instruments ; 
he is leader of the Watertown Cornet Band and Orchestra. Mr. Jliller enlisted during the war in the- 
24th W. V. I., and was detailed as leader of the Brigade Band underGen. Greusel. He married, in 1869, 
Margaret Reilley, of Watertown, Wis. ; has three children — Emma, Arthur and Gertrude. Mrs. Miller 
is a member of the Catholic Church of Watertown. 

J. T. 3IOAK, Postmaster; was born in Sharon, Schoharie Co., N. Y., Feb. 4, 1830, and came 
to Wisconsin Aug. 15, 1854, locating in Watertown ; from Sharon, he moved to Chenango Co., N. Y., 
and thence to Jersey City, where, for two years, he engaged in the grocery business under the firm name 
of Piandall & Co. ; from Jersey City, he moved to Watertown and engaged in the dry-goods business for 
seven years. In 1864, he was elected Alderman of the First Ward, and resigned on account of an order 
of President Grant forbidding Postmasters to hold office ; after one year, permission was given by the 
General Government, and he was again elected, and has held the office of Alderman of First Ward conlin- 
uously up to the present writing. In 1867, he received the appointment of Postmaster of Watertown, 
which position he now holds. He married, in 1853, Eliza Pearce, of New Hartford, Oneida Co., N. Y. ; 
he has one child — Eliza. Mrs. Moak is a member of the Congregational Church. 

J0H:K J. MOULDING, book-keeper for the C, M. & St. P. R'y Co. ; born in Warrentun, 
Lancashire, England ; came to America and located in Chicago in 1853 ; was engaged in printing business 
there for one year; he then went to Batavia, Kane Co,, 111., and conducted the Fox River Expositor for 
one year and a half; afterward he removed to St. Charles, 111., and for five years he published the K(tiie: 
County Democrat ; he served one year as bugler in the regimental band of the 36th 111. V. I. ; in 18li(), 
he came to Watertown, and has been in the employ of the railway company ever since. Dec. 20, 1858, 
he married Phoebe A. Cole, of Warsaw, Wyoming Co., N. Y. ; they have three children — Artie J., Charles 
A. and Josephine E. 

JOHN MUTH, foreman of Wiggenhorn Bros', cigar factory ; born in Birlenbach, Nassau, Oct. 
16, 1838 ; came to America in 1848; was in New Orleans sis months, then came to Watertown ; engaged 
in cigar-making since 1850. In April, 1860, he was married, in Watertown, to .Mary Biesner ; she was 
born in New York City ; they have five children — Amelia, Matilda, Mary, Ida and John. Mr. Muth 
enlisted, Aug. 12, 1862, in Co. E, 20th Wis. V. I.; served until Aug. 2, 1865; he was in all engage- 
ments his regiment participated in ; he has served one term as Alderman of the Second Ward, and one 
term in the Sixth Ward ; he was Chief Engineer of the Fire Department one year ; he is now Foreman 
of Pioneer Fire Co. ; he is a member of the Sons of Hermann. 

C. F. NI\J1AIV, Superintendent of Schools; was born in Emmett, Dodge Co., Wis., Dec. 27, 
1849; he received his education at the district schools, the High School of Watertown and the North- 
western University; until 1866, he assisted his father on the flirm ; he taught three years in the district 
school, then for eight years in the public schools of Watertown ; in 1875, he passed the State Teachers' 
examination and received a teacher's certificate of the first grade ; in 1877, he commenced the grocery 
business, which he is now carrying on ; in the spring of 1878, he was elected Superintendent of Schools 
of Watertown, Wis., which position he now holds. He married, May 10, 1870, Sophia Stoeohase, of 
Mecklenburg, Germany ; he has three children living — Edward, Theodore and Maximilian. Mr. and Mrs. 
Ninman are members of the German Protestant Church. 

E. C NIXON, grocer, confectioner ; is a native of Watertown, where he w;x,s born Oct. 23, 
1854, and has been engaged in his present business since October, 1876. His father, George E. Nixon, 
came to Watertown in October, 1847; commenced the cooperage business in the following spring, and 
has continued to carry on the same business ever since; he came to Canada in 1844; there he learned the 



620 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

cooper's trade ; in the spring of 1847, he came to Penfield, Monroe Co., and resided there six montlis 
prior to coming here. He was married, in VVatertown, in April, 1S43, to Eliza Grout, a native of Queens 
Co., Ireland ; they have three children — Mary Ellen, Fannie (now Mrs. Cyrus Stevenson, of Sturgeon 
Bay) iind Edward C. Mr. and Mrs. Nixon are members of the M. E. Church. 

PROF. W. A. NOTZ, Northwestern University ; born in Wurtcmberg, Germany, Feb. 2, 
1841; received his literary education at the University of Tubingen : in 1863, he took his degree of 
Doctor of Philo.sophy ; was private tutor until 18(i8, when he became Professor of the German Languag; 
at the Pennsylvania College, located at Getty.sburg ; in lSti9, he accepted the same chair in the Muhlen- 
berg College at Alicntowu, Penn. ; remained there until September, 1872, when he became connected with 
the Northwestern University as Professor of Classics and Hebrew History; in 1873, he was chosen 
Inspector of this institution ; the Professor is editor of the Lutherlsche Schutzeetimg, a monthly, published 
in Milwaukee, now in the fourth year of its existence ; has also translated " Institutiones CatechelicaS, ' 
by Dr. Conrad Dietcrich, published in l(il3; also wrote a Latin essay, " Character and Qualifications of 
Lutheran Colleges." Prof Nutz was married. June 20, 1875, to Julia Sehutz ; they have two children — 
Minne and Natalie. The Prof, s.^or and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. 

BEXJAMIX Nl'TE, deeea.«ed; was born in Farmington, Strafford Co., N. H., Aug. 12, 
180U, and died Dec. 1, 1877 ; he came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1837, and located in Milford ; he 
made large purchases of land, and, in 1840, in connection with W. H. & Eiisha Lamphear, built a dam 
and erected a saw-mill at Milford ; he also built the Milford Hotel and ran it a short lime ; he then moved 
to Watertown, and, in 1870, entered the firm of H, S. Howell & Co., dry goods, etc., and continued until 
the time of his death ; he also owned the stave-heading and barrel manufactory and saw-mill near the C. 
& N.-W. Ry. depot, called the Boomer Mill ; this mill he remodeled and turned into the Eclipse Flour 
ing-Mill ; on June 13, 1829, he was appointed Postmaster of Vernon, (3neida Co., N. Y., under President 
Jackson; was Justice of the Peace of Jefferson Co. in 1842, and, in 1848, was appointed Notary Public 
by Henry Dodge ; was also, in this year, elected to the Legislature, to represent the towns of Watertown. 
Milford, Aztalan and Waterloo ; was, for a number of years, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of 
Milford. He married, June 30, 1824, Sarah Brooks; they have six children living — Benjamin, Dwight 
B., Horace, Ansenette, Miiry C, Sarah Lucretia. Mr. Nute was a member of the Cnngresational Church. 

DEXXIS PETERS, firm of Benkendorf & Peters, flouringmills; born Jan. 10, 183ii, in Tip- 
perary Co., Ireland; came to America with his parents in 1845, who first located in Albany, N. Y.; in 
1846, came to Milwaukee, Wis., where he was educated; in 1851, moved to Watertown City and worked 
for Mr. Potter in a hotel ; in 1855, went to work for the M. & St. P. 11. R., as foreman of the stables : 
in 1858, began to work in L. A. Cole & Co.'s fluuring-mill ; in 1859, went to Lowell, Wis., and ran the 
mill there for ten years, when he returned to Watertown and ran Koenig & Co.'s mill for seven years ; in 
1876, he went into ]iartner.ship with .Mr. Benkendorf ; the capacity of this mill is one hundred barrels ol 
flour a day, and they have four runs of stones. Married Miss Jane Kenney, of Dublin, Ireland, Jan. 15, 
1860 ; they have five children — Ella Jane, Anna Isabel, Mary Frances, Henrietta and Susan. Member; 
of the R. C. Church. 

XELSON W. PIERCE, Agent of the M. & St. P. R. R. Co. at Watertown Junction, and 
proprietor of the Railway Eating House and Hotel ; born at Kingston, N. J., April 10, 1848 ; he was in 
the employ of the Camden & Amboy Railway Co. for three years prior to coming to Watertown in 1866 
one year, he was at Watertown Station ; for the last twelve years, he has been agent at the Junction, and 
for four years, he has carried on the hotel and eating-house. Sept. 9, 1869, he married Miss >Liry Mitchell 
daughter of Thomas Mitchell, a native of England, who came to America about the year 1836, worked ic 
New York State a short time, and afterward for a short period in Ohio ; then came to Watertown, anc 
was for many years engaged in farming on Sec. 11, Watertown Township, where he died. Mrs. Pierce 
was born here July 22, 1849. Mr. Pierce's family of children are named Helen Augusta, Walter GriflBt: 
and Roy ; they have lost two — William A. and Herbert Vaughan. 

HERMAX!¥ A. PODEWELIi, clerk for E. C. Wickert, produce merchant; born ir 
Prussia Jan. 1, 1857; son of Ludwig and Ernstine Podcwell, who came to America in 1857; father died 
Dec. 18, 1876 ; niothir resides on the farm in Farmington. 

FRED POHIjMANN, manufacturer of and dealer in boots and shoes; born in Mecklen 
burg, Germany, July 26, 1845; worked at the shoemaker's trade since 1861 ; commenced business foi 
himself in 1870. He was married in Watertown, Jan. 17, 1874, to Elizabeth Piper, daughter of Phillip 
Piper; she was born in Watertown; they have two children — Henry and Arthur. Mr. Pohlmann is a 
member of the Watertown Band; he is a son of John Pohlmann. who came herewith his family July 10 
1853. John Pohlmann died April 10, 1870. 



CITY OF WATERTOWN. 621 

JUDSOIV PREKTICE, surveyor; resides in Sixth Ward, Dodge Co.; born at Oriskany Falls, 
Oneida Co., N. Y., March 2, 1810; lived in Erie Co., N. Y., from 1813 until he came to Wisconsin, in 
1844 ; located in the town of Trenton, Dodge Co.; engaged in farming there for six years; since then, he 
has served as County Surveyor and Deputy Surveyor of Dodge Co. nearly all the time (except three years, 
from 1864 to 1867, that he spent in Virginia City, Nev., and in the Western mining country of that sec- 
tion ). Mr. Prentice has filled variuus important positions — State Senator, Supervisor, Justice of the Peace, 
Alderman, etc. He' resided in Juneau from 1852 to 1854; in the latter year he came to Watertown. 
His fir.st wife was Almira Woodruff, married at Aurora, Erie Co., N. Y.; she died in Milwaukee in July, 
1844, leaving two children — Lawrence J. and Elizabeth. Mr. Prentice married his present wife in Tren- 
ton, Dodge Co., in October, 1848 ; her name was Olive Thompson, and is a native of Riga, Ontario Co., 
N. Y.; tiiey have three children living — Thomson J., Millard F. and George Clifford ; they have lost two 
daughters — Lucy, who died at the age of G months, and Bertha, aged 12 years at the time of her death. 
Mrs. Prentice is a member of the Cnnuregational Church. 

THEODORE PRENTISS, capitalist; bom at Montpelier, Vt., Sept. 10, 1818; educated 
at the Montpelier Academy and at the University of Vermont, at Burlington ; admitted to the bar of 
Vermont in 1844 ; came to Milwaukee in October, 1844; came to Watertown in February, 1845 ; engaged 
in the practice of law until about twenty years ago ; he purchased considerable real estate here and in this 
vicinity soon alter he came here ; also, became connected with railroad, banking and other interests >o 
extensively that he was compelled to give up the general practice of his profession in order to give liis 
exclusive attention to his own investments. He was the first Mayor of this city, and has served several 
times in the same capacity since ; he was a member of the first Constitutional Convention, held in Wisconsin 
in 1846 ; also a member of the second one, which was held in 1847 ; he has served several terms as Alder- 
man, and was Member of the Assembly in 1860 and 1861. Dec. 4, 1855, he was married, at Montpelier, 
Vt., to Martha Jane Perry; she was born in Fairfax, Franklin Co., Vt.; they have three sons — Theodore, 
0., James Frederick and Georffe Nathaniel, aged 19, 15 and 10 years, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Pren- 
tiss are members of the Episcopal Church. 

1>AXIEL P. PRICE, proprietor of woolen mills ; born in Wales Oct. 16, 1829 ; came to 
America in 1852 ; resided in Onondaga, Madison and Oneida Cos., N. Y., until he came to Cambria, Wis., 
in 1874; resided there three years, then came to Watertown ; Mr. Price has worked in woolen mills 
since he was 7 years of age ; having been brought up to the business he is thoroughly actiuainted 
with all its details, and few men can be found in this country who are capable of doing as good work as he. 
In 1849, he was married in Wales to Margaret Pugh ; they have five children — Daniel H., William P., 
Lizzie, Emory J. and Edwin. The entire family are members of the Good Templars Lodge. Mr. and 
Mrs. Price are members of the Consjregational Church. 

HEIVRY PRITZLAFF, grain-dealer; born in Prussia Nov. 22, 1824 ; came to America 
and located in Milwaukee in 1856; engaged in the hardware business there for eight years ; June 1, 
1864, he came to Watertown, and carried on the same business here until the spring of 1877, making 
nearly a quarter of a century that he was engaged in the hardware trade; in 1878, Mr. Pritzlaft' com- 
menced his present business of dealing in grain and general farm produce. He was two years Alderman 
of this city. Jan, 9, 1859, he was married in Milwaukee to Augusta Benter, a native of Prussia; they 
have fiiur children — Lizzie, Bernard, Willie and Rudolph; they have lost two children. 

R. PRITZLAFF, tinner; born in Prussia Feb. 26, 1852 ; came to America in 1867 ; located 
in Milwaukee until he came to Watertown in April, 1877. He married Johanna Schoenhols Sept. 21, 
1876; she was boru on Staten Island, New York ; they have two children — Reinhard A. J. and Walter 
H. C. Mr. Pritzlaff is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church. 

PHILIP C. QFENTMEYER, retired ; born in Prussia July 5, 1826 ; came to Wiscon- 
sin in the spring of 1849 ; located in Fond du Lac, where he remained one year and a half; afterward, 
for a year in Neenah ; in 1852, he came to Watertown ; engaged in the manufacture of brick until 1870 ; 
he was engaged buying wood for the railway company for one year; four years in the milling business, 
associated with F. Miller; retired from active business in April, 1877. Mr. Quentmeyer has served as 
Alderman of the Seventh Ward .several terms, and two terms he has represented the Third Ward in the 
Common Conncil ; School Commissioner for several years. Jan. 13, 1854, he married Dorothea Koenig ; 
she was born in Prussia ; they have four sons — William, Louis, Albert and Hermann. 

MICHAEL QLIGLEY, undertaker; born in County Donegal, Ireland, Sept. 29, 1822; 
came to Watertown in July, 1848 ; engaged in furniture manufacturing for about twenty-six years ; since 
then in the business of undertaker. Mr. Quigley has been Alderman, City Treasurer, etc. His present 
wife was Mary Clifford; they were married in Watertown April 14, 1855; they have eight children — 



6-'2 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Ann, John, Mary, Michael, Jr., Catherine, Charles, Winnifred and Frank ; they have lost two sons and 
one dauL'hter. >Ir. and Mrs. Quigley are members of the Catholic Church. 

EDWARI> RACEK, creneral store; was born in Polna, Bohemia, Oct. 11, 1847; came to 
Wisconsin about 1853, locating in Watertown, where he served an apprenticeship as clerk with R. & H. 
S. Howell & Co., general store ; he received his commercial education at Bryant & Stratton's Business 
College, both at Milwaukee and Toronto, Canada ; at the early age of 19, he was appointed Teller of the 
Wisconsin National Bank, in which position he continued for three years. In 18G6, in connection with 
his brother, under the name of Racek Bros., he entered the general produce commission business, which 
he carried on for two and a half years. In 1871, he bought a half-interest in the general store of Jesse 
Moulton, and remained in partnership one year and then bought out the other half-interest and conducted 
the business on his own account for one year ; he then admitted his head salesman, Mr. Jones, into part- 
nership under the firm of Racek & Jones, and they are now doing business on Main street, with the most 
pleasing and profitable success. He married, Sept. 29, 1876. Gertrude W. Gallup, daughter of Henry 
Gallup, of Watertown. He has two children living — Helen Gertrude and Edward Henry. Mrs. Racek 
is a member of the Episcopal Church. 

S. K- RAXDAlilj, dealer in agricultural implements ; was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 
March Hi, ISM-t; on the 1st of June followinsr he came to Watertown with his parents. His father, 
Benjamin Randall, deceased, was a farmer in Jefferson Co. two years, when he removed to Lebanon, Dodge 
Co., where be was engaged in agricultural pureuits for twenty-five years, the subject of this sketch now 
owning the family homestead ; he was a farmer until 21 j'ears of age, though at the age of 19 years he 
became attached to the manufacturing implement business of F. H. Manny, of Rockford, with whom he 
remained nine years, afterward representing other reaper and mower firms until thirteen years ago, when 
he opened a general agricultural depot at Watertown, at which point he represents D. S. Morgan & Co., 
for the east half of Wisconsin, in the sale of their goods, making the Triumph Reaper and Seymour 
Mower specialties. In November, 1866, he married Martha A., the daughter of Abraham Kern, one of 
the early settlers of Ashippun, Dodge Co., this State ; she was born in South Bend, Ind. ; they have one 
child— Mable C. born April 10, 18G9. 

JOHN REICH ARDT, Deputy City Marshal ; born in Germany Jan. 15,1837; came to 
America in 1853 ; located in New York two years; he then came to Fond du Lac, where he was engaged 
in clerking until 1869, when he came to Watertown ; since he came here he has been Marshal, is now 
Deputy ; also doing business as auctioneer ; .started the Hook and Ladder Co.; he is a member of the Fire 
Department, Turner Society, I. O. 0. F., etc. He was married in Fond du Lac in October, 1856, to Leo- 
puoltena Lopper : she was born in Germany ; they have seven children — Lena, Willie, Anna, Emma, 
John, Tilda and Louis; lost a pair of twins, they died at the age of 6 months. 

JOHN RICHARDK, deceased; born in Hinsdale, Berkshire Co., Mass., April 13, 1806 ; he 
studied law with Edward F. Ensign, at Shefiield, and was admitted to the bar in Lenox, Mass., March 2, 
1837; graduated from Williams College, and taught for a time in the Academy at South Egremont ; on 
the day of Martin Van Buren's inauguration as President, Mr. Richards started for the West and was 
among the []ioncers of Jefferson Co. He was the first District Attorney for the county, appointed by Gov. 
Dodge; afterward held the oflBces of Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, Mayor, etc. He was married, in 
Albany, N. Y., to Eliza Forbes, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Mr. WickofT, in the Dutch Reformed 
Church ; Mrs. Richards was born in North Brookfield, Mass., April 3, 1816, daughter of Moses Forbes, 
proprietor of the old stage line between Hartford and Albany. Mr. Richards died in Fond du Lac in Feb- 
ruary, 1874; his widow and five children are living; the children are Anna M., now Mrs. George W. 
Thomas, of Beaver Dam ; Moses F., of Nunda, 111.; Alice M., now Mrs. Louis Cass Green, of Watertown; 
■William Henry, residing at home with his mother in this city, and Charles D., Indian Agent at Fort 
Peck, M. T. Those who have died are as follows: Harriet Eliza, died June 9, 1854, aged 11 years; 
Frances Emma., died March 7, 1853, aged 2 years, and Irene, died September 19, 1856, at the age of 3 

^^^^SIMOX JOHN RICHTER, teacher in Lutheran School ; born in the village of Mengels- 
dorf near Goerlitz, in the Province of Silesia, Nov. 5. 1850 ; came to America with his father in January, 
1854 ; located in Houston, Texas, remaining there six months ; then they went to Pittsburgh, Penn., where 
his father died; S. J. Richter remained in Pittsburgh until 1870; attended the parochial school, also the 
Franklin Public School in that city; then he was a student at the Normal School at Addison, 111.; for two 
years he taught at Sheboygan Falls, since then in Watertown ; he was a member of the Young Men's 
Lyceum for several years. Sept. 9, 1876, he was married, at Beaver Dam, to Miss Ida Nimmer ; she was 
born in Wusterhausen, Prussia ; they have one child — Flora Helena Maria, born Jan. 14, 1879. 



I 



CITY OF AVATERTOWN. 623 

()!EOR(iiFi P. RINEHART, stone and brick mason ; was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 9, 
1840; came to Watertown in November, 184;i. Slarried Miss Catherine Scanlon in June, 1861, who died 
on the 3d of November, 1873, leaving three children — John Thomas, William Henry and Georiie William. 
Was married to Miss Kllen Carigan, on the 25th of November, 1874, with whom he now lives and by 
whom he had one child — Terresa Maude, born July, 1876, and died July, 1877. Mr. Rinehart was elected 
Alderman in the spring of 1877, but resigned the oiEce soon after the election. He has been a resident 
of Watertown for thirty years. 

WILLIAM I.OMIS ROEBER, boot and shoe maker; born in Hanover, Germany, Oct. 
4, 1814 ; came to America in 1845 ; spent seven months in Buffalo, N. Y., then went to Cleveland, Ohio, 
where he remained only three months; from Cleveland, he went to St. Mary's, Wis., and spent three 
months; from there he came to Milwaukee, Wis., where he remained until June, 1847, when he came to 
Watertown ; learned the shoemaker's trade when 15 years of age, and he has always worked at that trade 
since. April 17, 1849, he was married, in Watertown, to Doris Stolle ; she was born in Hanover Feb. 2, 
1823, and died May 8, 1875; they have had six children— Marie Louise, born May 19, 1852; Fred- 
erick W. J., Dec. 19, 1853 ; Henry C. F., Aug. 7, 1855 ; Sophie H. M., Aug. 13, 1861 ; Frederick H., 
Sept. 4, 1863, and Lena. Mr. R. is a member of I. 0. 0. F. and Workmen's Societies. 

JAMES ROtirAN, farmer; born in County Down, Ireland, Aug. 12, 1801, and came to Wis- 
consin in the foil of 1835. locating in Green Bay. Mr. Rogan was engaged in the distillery business in 
Zanesville, Ohio ; he then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and bought a grocery and provision store, which he 
continued until he was burnt out, when he bought a lake vessel, the Grampus, which he ran from Buffalo 
to other points on the lakes ; on March 2, 1837, he moved, with his family, to Watertown, Wis., and made 
his claim in Sec. 4, Town 9, Range 15 east; in 1848-49, he was appointed lighthouse-keeper at Milwau- 
kee ; he was also one of the committee that named the county and town where he lived. He married, 
May 16, 1S29, Sarah Duffy, of Ireland; he has one child living — Sarah Jane, now Mrs. Tenney. Mr. 
and Mrs. Rosran are members of St. Bernard's Catholic Church. 

PATRICK ROdrA^, farmer; born in County Down, Ireland, Sept. 26, 1808; came to Mon- 
treal, Canada, in 1823; lived two years there, then removed to Jefferson Co., N. Y., where he resided 
until 1837, when he came to Watertown, arriving here May 15 of that year; made a claim to a fractional 
ijuarter-section. Sec. 11 ; was engaged in farming where the city now stands, on west side of the river; 
the spring he came here, he plai^ted potatoes where the College of the Sacred Heart is now located ; never, 
since he came here, has he entirely relinquished his farming interests ; six or seven years after he came 
here, he erected a saw-mill where George B. Lewis' factory is now located; carried on the mill until 1858, 
in connection with his other business of contracting, building, farming, etc. ; he has invested largely of his 
means in the building improvements of the west side of this city ; he has also invested, to a great extent, 
in plank-roads, railroads and other enterprises likely to benefit Watertown, being among tbe most public- 
spirited of its citizens ; he was a member of the first Wisconsin Constitutional Convention ; he has been 
four times a member of the State Legislature; he organized the school .system here in 1855, having 
secured the passage of the act providing therefor ; he was Postmaster of this city for eight years ; first 
appointed by President Tyler, re-appointed in 1845, by President Polk ; he was one of the original corporators 
of the Watertown Gas Co., also a director of plank-road and railroad companies ; he has held nearly all 
city and town nflices within the gift of the people ; he never attended school but three months ; he acquire d 
some book knowledge while he was employed as errand boy in the office of a Notary Public in Montreal ; 
experience has been his teacher, and it would he difijcult to find better-informed men than Mr. Rogan is 
at the present time. He was married, in Chicago, Jan. 17, 1846, to Rose Craugle ; she was born in County 
of Down, Ireland ; they have six children — Robert Emraett, Charles Eugene, Edwin B., Louis P., Rose 
and Ellen E. ; lost one daughter, who died at the age of 6 years. Mr. and Mrs. Rogan are members of 
the Catholic Church. Mr. R.'s fiither, Peter Rogan, died at Rochester, N. Y., three years after he came 
to America with his family. 

WIELIAM H. ROHR, merchant tailor and clothier; was born in Prussia Oct. 1, 1842, 
and came to Wisconsin the middle of June, 1853, locating in Watertown ; he then went to Beloit and 
attended the college there for three years ; in 1859, was teacher in the public school at Beloit for three 
years ; in 1862, and for three years after, was clerk with Fisher & Rohr, merchant tailors and clothiers; 
in 1865, he took his fsither's place in the firm; in October, 1876, Mr. Fisher died, and, from that date, 
he carried on the business on his own account. Mr. Rohr was School Commissioner of Watertown for 
two years and Superintendent of Schools for three years; in 1876, he was Alderman of the First Ward, 
and was Chairman of the Board of Street Commissioners; he was appointed City Treasurer, to fill a 
vacancy, which he held for three months, the term of office then expiring ; in 1873, he was a member of 



624 BIOGKAPIUCAL SKETtllKS: 

the Board of Supervisors, of which body he was Chairman three years. He married, June 7, 18GS 
Sophia Bertram, of Hanover, who died Dec. 19, 1878 ; he has four children — Amalie, Isabella, Gustavu 
and Max. 

WILLIAM A. AND JOHN H. SCHLITETER, ciirar manufacturers. William.^ 
Schlueter wa.s burn in Buflfiilo, N. Y., in 1849 ; came to Watertown with his parents when quite young 
learned his trade under Mr. Eugene Wiggenhorn, of Watertown. Married Miss Louisa Glaser in 187- 
has two children — Willie, aged 6 years, and Henrietta, aged 4. Mr. Schlueter is a member of the Turne 
Society, of Watertown. John H. Schlueter, the junior member of the firm of Schlueter & Bro., was born i 
Watertown in 1854 ; learned his trade with Mr. Miller. Married Mi.-s Amelia Kreusky, of Clyman, Wis 
in 1S75 ; has one child dead and one living who.se name is John. He and wife are members of the Lutb 
eran Church and are members of the Harmonia Society also. John H. has been a member of the firm c 
Schlueter & Bro. since the origin of such firm, in July, 187'J, but has worked at his trade eleven years 
His brother, William, has worked at it about sisteen years. They now do business on Main street, betwee 
Eishth and Ninth streets. 

CHRISTIAN SCH9IIJTZLEK, carpenter and builder; was born in Saxony in 183C 
where he lived on a farm with his lather till 1S51, when he came to Watertown, Wis., learned thecarpente 
trade and has since followed it. Married Miss Caroline Zeas the same year he reached Watertown ; ha 
five children — Edward. Minna. Ferdinand, Kmmaand Elcda. All are members of the Presbyterian Church 
Mr. Schniutzler has belonged to the Odd Fellows Fraternity for about fifteen years. 

PHILIPP SCHjIIDT, manufacturer of toilet and laundry soaps. He was born in Prussia i 
1832; came to Watertown in January, 1S55 ; for one year, he worked in the confectionery business here 
afterward in same business two y«.ars at Mayville, Dodge Co.; in the liquor business at Hastings, Minn 
two years; then, until 1801, he did fresco-painting in Jleinphis, Tenn. In 18(j1, he returned to Watei 
town and engaged in the manufacture of soajis; he has now one of the best manufactories in the WesI 
and is making thirty different varieties of laundry and toilet soaps. Mr. Smith is a member of the Con 
cordia Musical Society, Sons of Hermann; luis served as member of the School Board, etc. He was mat 
ried at Oconomowoc, May 22, 1862, to Augusta Krueger; she was born in Germany; they have fou 
children — Willie, Huso, Minnie and Eniuia. 

JOHN P, SCHOENHOLS, hardware merchant; born in Germany Feb. 2, 1825; came t 
America in 1846, and resided in New York until 18511, when he came lo Milwaukee; engaged in rectify 
ing business thereuntil he came to Watertown in 1877. He was married in New York to Mary Gilde 
meister, April 21, 1853 ; she was born in Prussia ; they have seven children living — Lena, Johanna, Mag 
dalena, Martha, Lydia, Emelia and Maria ; they have lost one daughter and four sons. Mr. S. is a mem 
ber of St. John's Lutheran Church. 

CHRISTOPH SCHROEDER, retired undertaker; burn in Vorbruck Walsrode, Hanovei 
Feb. IS, 1S17 ; came to America in 1844; located in Cleveland, Ohio, for about one year and a half; thei 
he came to Watertown ; for a number of years, he worked at the carpenter and joiner business; then h 
Was engaged in business as undertaker for twenty-five years ; three years ago, he retired from tha 
business. Mr. Sehroeder laid out and started Oak Hill Cemetery, and now has charge of it. H 
deserves great credit for the judgment displayed in the location and arrangement of this cemeterj 
He has one of the best-constructed family vaults in the country, in which rest the remains of hi 
children, of his mother, Mary Sehroeder, and Mary Arntz, his wife's mother. In 1843, Mr. S. mar 
ried Mary Arntz; she was born in Altenboetzen, Hanover, Dec. 15, 1820; they have seven childrei 

living — Teresa (now Mrs. John K , of Fond du Lac), Henry, Mena (now Mrs. Frederick Wil 

kopsky ), Snphia (now Mrs. Hermann llappi. Mary, Ernst and Lena. 

ANTON SCHUMACHER, Ciiy Treasurer and manufacturer of and dealer in boots am 
shoes; born in Vinesbeck, Westphalia, Pru.ssia, Dec. 9, 1833; came to Watertown May 12, 1855 
Worked at his trade of shoemaker over nine years for Henry Bertram. In August, 1864, he com 
menced business for himself on Third street; Aug. 20, 1877, his store was destroyed by fire; not 
withstanding his misfurtune, he immediately resumed business on the same street, and is doing 
thiiving trade. Mr. Sehuniaiher is one of the leading citizens of Watertowi . In April, 1878, ti 
was first elected City Treasurer; in April, 1879, he was re-elected by a majority of 870 — the larges 
majority ever given to a candidate for Treasurer. Such testimony is the best manifestation of th 
confidence repo.sed in Mr. Schumacher by his fellow-citizens. He was married in Watertown, Nov 
23, 1863, to Frances Korherr, niece of Joseph Bursinger, of this city; she was born in the Duke 
dom of Baden, Germany; they have five children — Joseph Anton, born Nov. 4, 1S64 ; Ferdinand 11. 
July 24, 1866; Mary, Oct. 2, 1870; Caroline, Dec. 24, 1872, and Anna, Dec. 31, 1877; lost twi 



CITY OF WATERTOWN. 625 

children— Mary Elizabeth, died Aug. 1, 1870, aged 2 years; Rosa, died Oct. 30, 1875; she was 
only 2 days old. Mr. and Mrs S. are members of the German Catholic Church. Mr. S. was Sec- 
retary of the Church nine years, and he was for five or six years Secretary of St. Henry's Society. He 
is a member of the Concordia Musical Society ; was Secretary of that Society one year. 

JOSEPH fSCHlTBERT, M. I>. (dece.ised) ; was boru at Neustadt, Germany, in 1820; 
came to Watertown Sept. 9, 18-17 ; engaged in the drug Dusiness immediately after his location, his being 
the first store in the place doing an exclusive drug trade; the Doctor practiced medicine a few years in 
connection with his other business; he continued in the drug business until the time of his death, which 
was June 6, 1870. He was married in (Jcrmany June 7, IS-IO, to Kathinka Erb ; she was born at 
Fulda, in Germany, May 22, 1822; the children are Josephine (now Mrs. Louis Kehr), born Dec. 11, 
1849, and Max J., Nov. 17, 1851 ; lost one daughter— l-'auline ; .she was born Aug. 29, 1853, died Aug. 
19, 1854. Mrs. K. Schubert and her son carry on the business established by Joseph Schubert in 1847, 
the firm name being K. Schubert & Son. 

MAX J. SCHUBERT, of tlie firm of K. Schubert & Son, druggists; was born in Water- 
town Nov. 17, 1851. He was married at Juneau, Dodge Co., Wis., May 20, 1877, to Ella Mertz ; she 
was born in Juneau March 30, 1859 ; they have one child — Tlma, born Sept. 6, 1878. Mr. Schubert is 
Treasurer of the Turner Society. 

€. W. SCHULTZ, merchant and proprietor of saloon ; born in Germany Dec. 25, 1825 ; came 
to Watertown June 15, 1846 ; engaged in manufactnring wagons until 1858 ; engaged in saloon and mer- 
cantile business ever since. Mr. S. was Supervisor of the First Ward in 1875-76. In December, 1846, 
he married Caroline Ehl ; she was born in Germany ; they have six children — Caroline, Albert, Charles, 
Emma, Hattie and Matilda. Mr. Sehultz has been prominently identified with the Fire Department, the 
military organizations and the various other interests of this city. 

A. G. SCHWANKE, teacher in the German Evangelical Lutheran School ; born in Prussia 
Jan. 29, 1847 ; came to America in 1863; located at Newton, Marquette Co., Wis.; engaged in farming 
until 1868; Mr S. received his elementary education in Europe, and, in 1870, he graduated from the 
Addis(m Lutheran Seminary in Illinois; he then taught school in Winnebago Co., Wis., for three years 
and a half; afterward, taugiit in Washington Co. one year and a half; came to Watertown in 1874, and 
has taught in the school he is now connected with ever since he came here. Oct. 6, 1872, he married 
Mary Otto; she was born at New London, Wis., Feb. 11, 1853; they have two children — Clara, born 
Aug. 25, 1873, and Louis, June 18, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Schwanke are members of the Lutheran 
Church. 

H. P. SEIBEL, proprietor of saloon ; born in Prussia Aug. 17, 1826 ; came to Watertown in 
1853 ; remained here two years, then went on his ftrm in Waterloo Town.sbip ; after a residence of a year 
and a half there, he returned to Watertown and engaged in grocery and saloon business ; afterward, dis- 
continued the grocery business and has since conducted the saloon ; Mr. Seibel first located at Philadel- 
phia when he came to America ; resided there two years and a half, then came to Wisconsin. He married 
Lizette Wegeman Dec. 6, 1853, in Milwaukee ; she was born in Prussia; they have five children— Emil, 
Laura (now Mrs. Hermann Straus), Ida Bertha and Max. 

AUGUST SEIFFERT, contractor and builder; was born in the Kingdom of Prussia Oct. 
24,1840; in 1869, he emigrated to America and settled in Chicago, where he was engaged as a con- 
tractor and builder, prominently identified with the erection of some of the elegant structures to be seen 
in that city ; after a residence of eight years in the Garden City, he removed to Watertown, where he has 
been extensively engaged in building, etc., having been the contractor for the erection of Turner Hall and 
other structures, and being at the present time City Surveyor and Engineer. April 29, 1866, he was 
married to Wilhelmina Puthar, also a native of Prussia, the ceremony being performed in Germany, by 
whom he has had three children — Anna, Lizzie and Richard. 

C. B. SKIKXER, lawyer; was born in Adams, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Oct. 10, 1828, and came 
to Wisconsin March 15, 1855, locating in Watertown; while in Adams he prepared for college, and, in 
1847, went to Hamilton College, at Clinton, N. Y., graduating there in 1849; he then entered the Albany 
Law School, at Albany, and was a member of the first class; he then went to Cape Vincent, N. Y., and 
practiced law two years and a half; from Cape Vincent he went to Watertown, Wis., in 185.5, and has 
practiced law since that time. In Cape Vincent he held the offices of Town Clerk and Justice of the 
Peace; Mr. Skinner has held the following oflices in Watertown : In 1857, he was Superintendent of 
Schools for one term ; was Alderman of the First Ward one term, and also Mayor of Watertown one 
term ; in Dec. 20, 1870, he was appointed United States Commissioner for the Western District (.f Wis- 
consin. He married, in November, 1856, Frances M. Lee, of Cape Vincent, N. Y.; he has four children 



626 BIOCxRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

— Idaline M., Lee B., Charles A. and Laura M. Mr. and Jlrs. Skinner are members of the Congrega- 
tional Church at Watertown. 

JONAS H. SLEEPER, agent C, M. & St. P. Rj. Co., and grain-dealer; born in Bristol, 
Grafton Co., N. H.; lived in that State until 1857; he then went to Washington, D. C., where he con- 
ducted a hotel for one year ; afterward one year in Leavenworth, Kan., when he returned to Washington, where 
he carried on the hotel business again for one year ; in 1860, he came to Watertown and has been con- 
nected with the St. Paul Railway ever since ; he was also for a year and a half a member of the firm of 
F. Miller & Co., proprietors of flouring-mills here; from 1802 to 1873. he was also engaged in the lum- 
ber business; for the last ten or fifteen years, he has been dealing in grain to sotue extent. Sept. 3, 1863, 
he married S. Annie Hamlin ; she was born in Middletown, Vt. She is a member of the Congregati' nal 
Church. 

(jrEORCwE W. SL.OAN; born in Farmington. this county, Jan. 24, 1850 ; graduated from 
the Michigan University at Ann Arbor in 1873 ; since he was 17 years of age, Mr. Sloan has been 
prominently identified with the educational interests of the State, particularly with the schools of Jeffer- 
son and Dodge Cos.; he taught in the public schools of these counties during the winter terms for 
six years prior to entering college; since then, he was for nearly two years Principal of the Juneau Graded 
School; one year Principal at Milford, and taught one term at Waterloo; in connection with his other 
school work, and during vacations for the last ten years. Mr. Sloan has given much attention to penman- 
ship classes ; he read law in the office of Enos &, Hall, of Watertown, and was admitted to the bar in 
1875; he is a son of Patrick and Ann ( Killoy i Sloan, who located on Sec. 1, in Farmington, in 1846; 
they removed to Sec. 22, Watertown Township, in 1853, and still reside there. 

(irEORdrK A. SXERE, marble dealer, associated with Josejih Walter; born in Watertown 
April 24, 18.')6 : worked at jireseut bu^iness for five years; in partnership with Mr. Walter since Jan. 1, 
1879. 

A. SOLLIDA^ , dentist; born in Lehigh Co., Penn., Feb. 13, 1842; came to Wisconsin in 
the spring of 1868, locating at Watertown ; he practiced on his own account in 1867, in Circleville, Ohio, 
under the firm name of Solliday & Moore; this he continued for one year, when he moved to Watertown 
and opened parlors over the Bank of Watertown ; remained for three years, then moved to his present 
location on the south side of Main street between First and Second, where he has been doing a highly 
successful business. In the spring of 1879, he wa.s elected School Commissioner of the Third Ward. 
He enlisted, in the foil of 1862, in the 114th Ohio V. I. a.s Principal Musician, and was after leader of 
the division band attached to Gen. Lawler's headquarters, and also of the post band at Galveston, Tex. 
He married, Oct. 28, 1869, Elizabeth A. Van Ness, of Watertown; he has one child — A. Fayette. >-rs. 
Solliday is a member of the Episcopal Church. 

FERDINAND SPEER, butcher; born in Germany Aug. 2, 1822; came to Watertown in 
September. 1>47 ; he spent about two months in Milwaukee prior to coming here; Mr. Speer is the pio- 
neer butcher of this place; he has carried on the business ever since he came here. He was married, in 
Watertown, in December, 1847, to Catharine Ullrich; she was born in Germany in December, 1825; they 
have seven children — Amelia, Bertha, Eliza, Paulina, Emma, Laura and Emil ; lost one daughter, who 
died at the age of 8 monlhs. 

JONAS STAHL,, with the C, >L & St. P. Ry. Co., freight department ; born in Sodus 
Point, Wayne Co.,N. Y., June 12, 1836; came to Wisconsin in 1859; located at Oconomowoc ; remained 
there until Aug. 16, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. A. 1st W. V. C. ; was First Sergeant of his company; 
participated in all the battles his regiment was engaged in ; mustered out Sept. 10, 1864, having served 
over three years; <;ame to Watertown in September, 1864; was in the employ of the M. & St. P. Ry. 
Co. one year, then eni;aged in business as traveling salesman for H. S. JIanville, wholesale dealer in 
notions, etc. ; was with him six years ; then traveled in notion business for two years for himself; after- 
ward three years and a half for prominent Milwaukee firms; he was in Junction Hotel one year with N. 
W. Pierce; March 1, 1878. he re-entered the service of the railway company. In September, 1861, he 
married Mary M. Blake; she was a native of Camden, N. Y. ; she died Juno 14, 1 S()6, leaving one son 
— Frederick B.. who died in August, 1867, aged 21 months; Mr. Stahl's present wife was Mrs. Mary V. 
Seaman, a native of Brattleboro, Vt. ; they were married in March, 1868; Mrs. Stahl has one daughter 
by former marriage — Hattie JI. Seaman. Mr. and .>Irs Stahl and Hattie are members of the M E. 
Church. 

A. a. STEINER, lawyer; born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., April 15, 1851 ; came to Wis- 
consin in April, 1877, locating in Watertown; he received his literary education at the Hullidaysburg 
Seminary at Hollidaysburg, Penn. ; he commenced the study of law with Congressman S. S. Blair, of 



CITY OF WATERTOWN. 627 

Hollidiiysburg, and finished his law studies at Ann Arbor, Mich., and, shortly after, entered the United 
States District Attorney's oiSce at Grand Rapids, Mieh., as Clerk; in 1877, he came to Watertown, and, 
Nov. 5, 1878, was elected District Attorney of Jefferson Co. 

KICHARD STEIXBKRtr, butcher, and pork and beef packer, wholesale and retail dealer; 
born in Germany March 18, 1844; came to America in 18(30; located in Milwaukee. In 1861, he 
enlisted in Co. H, 2Gth W. V. I. ; afterward served three years in the 1st Cav. of Wa.shington, D. C. ; 
he served until after the close of the war in 1865, then he returned to Milwaukee and remained there 
until he came to Watertown in 1867. In 1868, he was married, in Watertown, to Augusta Seibel ; she 
was born in Prussia ; they have four children — Awald, Julia, Elanora and Amatia. 

JE^JSE STONE, manufacturer; was born in Lincolnshire, England, Aug. 23, 1836; came to 
Wisconsin July 27, 1869, locating in Watertown; in 1861, in connection with Mr. Joseph Fox, was 
engaged in the cracker business; in 1867, was engaged in the same business in connection with John A. 
Dick; in 1869, he was admitted as partner in the firm of Woodward & Stone in the manufacture of 
crackers and confectionery. He married, in July, 1854, Sarah J. Welsh, of Ticonderoga, N. Y. ; he has 
one child — William C. 

CHARLES E. STRAW, engineer of Phoenix Fire Company; born Oct. 21, 1851, in 
Watertown ; was educated here, and worked for his father in the painting business till 1869, when he 
entered the employ of the C, M. & St. P. R. R. as fireman ; served in that capacity for three and one- 
half years, when he was promoted to engineer, and acted as such for two years and one month ; Oct. 9, 
1874, he left the employ of the railroad company and accepted the position of book-keeper for Straw & 
Murphy, and was appointed to his present position of engineer of Phrenix Steamer No. 2, June 5, 1876. 
He is a member of B. of L. E.. Division No. 66, of Milwaukee; member of Jjodge No. 49, Masons. 

REV. CiiEORGE STRICKNER, Pastor of St. Henry's Catholic^Church at Watertown ; 
born in Bavaria Dee. 6, 1833, and came to Wisconsio in Januiry, 1857, locating in Milwaukee; he 
studied philosophy in Bavaria and continued his studies with the addition of theology, at St. Francis Col- 
lege, near Milwaukee ; he was ordained Dec. 16, 1859. He went to Portage City and held service in the 
Irish church at that place until May, 1860, when he came to Watertown as Pastor of St. Henry's Cath- 
olic Church, where he remained one year; he then went to Germantown, Washington Co., Wis., and was 
Pastor of St. Boniface Church for four years ; from there he went to Saukville, Wis., to St. Mary's 
Church ; then to There.«a, Dodge Co., Wis., and was Pastor of the Catholic Church there ; then to Water- 
ford. Racine Co., and was Pastor of St. Thomas' Church ; then to Racine to St. Mary's for one year; on 
account of his health, he went to Germany and on returning to this country was again appointed Pastor of 
St. Henry's (Jhurch at Watertown. The St. Joseph Catholic Church at Racine was built through his efforts 
while Pastor of St. Mary's, he raising all the funds. In Saukville, he built the school attached to St. 
Mary's Church, 

FRED STVIiOW, shoemaker; born in Prussia Jan. 25, 1828 ; commenced shoemaker's trade 
when only 14 years of age; came to America and located at Watertown in 1856. Married in Germany 
to Mary Wruck Feb. 17, 1853; she is a native of Prussia; they have three children — Albert, Louise 
and Minnie. Mr. Stylow has represented the Second Ward twice in the Common Council. He is a 
member of the I. 0. O. F., Workmen's Society, Hook and Ladder Company, and is one of the Trustees 
of the Fire Department. 

EDMUND SWEEXEY, general merchant; born in County of Kerry, Ireland, in 1824; 
came to Clyman, Dodge Co., Wis., in 1846 ; engaged in farming in that town until 1854. He served 
two years as Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of Dodge Co. Came to Watertown in 1856 ; engaged in 
mercantile business here ever since. Mr. Sweeney has been selected by his fellow-citizens to fill various 
important offices in the county — Supervisor several terms, Chairman of the County Board, County Treas- 
urer, etc. ; he is now President of the Board of Education. He was married in Watertown April 16, 
1856, to Margaret Farmer, a native of Ireland ; they have two children — Margaret and Elizabeth. Mr. 
and Mrs. Sweeney are members of the Catholic Church. 

A. TAUCK, manufacturer. Notary and loan agent ; was born in the village of Cismar, Holstein, 
April 22, 1833, and came to Wisconsin the latter part of September, 1854, locating in Watertown, where 
he learned the trade of cigar-maker with Mr. tjrossmann ; in 1857-58, he started a grocery on his own 
account; in 1863-64, he entered into partnership with Mr. Miller, under the firm name of Miller & 
Tauck, in the manufacture of cigars; in 1865-67, he went into the manufacture of cigars on his own 
account ; in August, 1867, in connection with Mr. Grossman, started the present manufactory under the firm 
name of E. Grossman & Tauck, manufacturers of cigars. From April, 1858, to January, 1860, he was City 
Marshal of Watertown; in 1860-61, was Deputy Sheriff of Jefferson Co.; he also served two terms as 



628 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Assessor of Watertown, and two years as Justice of the Peace; in 1866—67, he was Alderman of the 
Fifth Ward; in December, 1873, he was appointed City Clerk of Watertown, to fill a vacancy on account 
of the death of the previous City Clerk, and was re-appointed for 1875-76. Ho married, in the fall of 1856, 
Rose Scheurm:inn, of Aari^an, Switzerland; married the second time, in December, 18till, Mar>;aret Scheur- 
mann, of Aar^an, Switzerland ; he has six children — Elizabeth, August, William, Lydia, Fritz and Emil. 

Al'<iJUST TOELjKE, cniraged in general merchandising; was born in Germany in 1834, and 
settled in Watertown July 7, 1851, in which city he lias since been constantly engaged in his present 
business, that lias grown in the mean time to huge proportions. He is known throughout the county as a 
capable, honorable business man, and deserving the confidence and respect he everywhere enjoys. 

W. TKZdNSKI, fashionable barber, dealer in ladies' imported hair and manufacturer of hair 
jewelry, switches, curls, etc. Mr. Trzcinski was born in Poland May 3, 1848; his father removed to 
America with his family in 1854; located in Watertown. The subject of this sketch commenced learn- 
ing the barber's business in 1862; he has been engaged in business for himself since the .spring of 1870. 
He was married, April 13, 1871, to Mary Hildebrandt, a native of P]mraett Township, Dodge Co., Wis. ; 
two children — Charles Fred and Guido. Mr. T. is a member of the I. O. 0. F. 

FKA\K B. Tl'TTLE, attorney; born in the town of Lenox, Madison Co., N. Y. ; educated 
at the Oneida Academy and 51 iehigan University ; graduated from the Law Department of the latter 
institution in 1877, althou::h he had been admitted t(j the bar of New York State in 1S7G. April 25, 
1878, he was married to Mary A. Birk, a native of Fort Plain, X. Y, 

M. UHLiEMEYER, manufacturer of furniture and carved work, church furniture and carving 
a specially; born in Bavaria Sept. 25, 1835; came to America and located in Watertown in 1863; 
worked lor John Keck four years. June 18, 1867, he was married to Louisa Bubb, a native of Alsace; 
she died July 25, 1871. Two children survive — George and Leo ; lost two. Mr. Uhlemeyer is a member 
of the Catholic Church. 

LOIIIS C. UHLRICH, butcher; born in Germany Feb. 12, 1850 ; came to Watertown in 
1868; worked at butchering ever since he came here; commenced business for himself in November, 
1875; spent two years in California prior to beginning business for himself. He was married, Oct. 27, 
1878, to Minnie Schmutzler (daughter of Christ Schmutzler); .she was born in Watertown Jan. 6, 1855; 
they have one child — Willie. Mrs. Uhlrieh is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church ; Mr. Uhlrich of 
Pioneer Five Co., No. 1, Turner Society, Harugari and Workman's Society. 

HEXRY VAUDEIj, liquor dealer; born in Mecklenburg, Germany, Dec. 31, 1816; came to 
Milwaukee in 1851 ; came to Watertown in ls55; engaged in grocery business five or six years; after- 
ward, for four or five 3-ears in the grain and milling business ; carried on distillery for about eight years, 
at the same time dealing in liquors and wines; still carries on the business of liquor and wine merchant. 
In 1851, Mr. Vaudel was married, in Milwaukee, to Mary Viegner ; they have two children — Adolph and 
Henry. Mr. Vaudel was Alderman of the Sixth Ward two years. 

JOSEPH WALTER, associated with George A. Snere in marble business. These gentlemen 
do all kinds of first-class monumental work ; they are both practical workmen, and thoroughly understand 
the work in which they are engaged. Mr. Walter came to Wisconsin in 1868, located at Janesville until 
he came to Watertown, in 1873 ; commenced business for himself in 1S75. He was born in Germany Dee. 
12, 1843; came to West Virginia in 1867, and from there he came to Wisconsin ; wurked at marble bus- 
iness since he was 16 years of age. Dec. 20, 186^, he was married, in Janesville, to Amelia Saben ; she 
was born in Germany ; they have four children — Otto. Joseph, Jr., Ernest and Olga. 

JACOB AVEBER, lumber merchant, also member of the firm of F. Miller & Co., proprietors 
of flouring-mills ; born in Germany Aug. 25, 1822; came to America and located at Northampton, Mass, 
Aug. 13, 1837; he was in woolen factory there until 1845, when he came to Wisconsin, located in the 
town of Clyman, Dodge Co., and engaged in farming until he came to Watertown, Nov. 1, 1854; engaged 
in mercantile business here until Dec. 1. 1877. He commenced lumber business in 1873, and, when he 
discontinued his other mercantile business, he gave his attention almost exclusively to his lumber trade ; 
he has been a member of the firm of F. Miller & Co. since May 1, 1877. He was Alderman four years; 
several years a member of the School Board. While a resident of Clyman, he held various offices, such as 
Supervisor, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Clerk of School Board, etc. Mr. Weber was married at North- 
ampton, Mass., in October, 1844, to Wilhelniina Gloegor; .she was born in Saxony May 13, 1824 ; they 
have eight children living — John, Johanna (now Mrs. William Sproesser, of Watertown ), William, Frank, 
Lina ( now Mrs. Edward Schmutzler, of this city), Augusta, Mary and Nora ; lost two children. Mr. Weber's 
sons are all married ; John married Eliza Miller ; William's wife's maiden name was Josephine Ruesch ; 
Frank married Augusta C. Drchsel. 



CITY OF WATERTOWN. 629 

J, H. WRBKR, proprietor of Rock River Flouring-Mills; born in New Prussia June 21, 1833; 
came to America in 1853; after spending aliout two months, he went to Beaver Dam, Dodge Co., Wis., 
and was engaged in milling business there for eighteen years ; then he went to Tomah, Monroe Co., where 
he remained three years ; then lie came (o Watertown. 

GEORCii-R W. \%EBB, telegraph operator at Watertown Junction, for the C, M. & St. P. 
R. R. Co. ; born in Conesus, N. Y., May 31, 1852 ; son of Sailor P. Webb, a lawyer, who came to Water- 
town with his family in 1854 ; he died here in 1861. George W. Webb was employed as a clerk in mer- 
cantile business here for about three years ; afterward for over two years in Milwaukee ; he then went to 
Bldora, Iowa, engaged in agricultural implement business there for two years ; then he returned to Water- 
town and learned the telegraph business in 1875 ; he was located one year in La Crosse as operator; then 
returned to Watertown. and has remained here ever since. Feb. 4, 1878, he married Lillian L. Gibbs ; 
she was born in Iowa ; they have one child — Blanche L., born Dec. 23, 1878. 

AUGUST WEtrEMANN, proprietor of tannery, and dealer in leather, hides, pelts, etc. ; 
born in Prussia July 8, 1834 ; came to Lake Mills, this county, in 1849, with his father, John Peter 
Wegemann, who died in Watertown in 18G0. Mr. Wegemann was engaged in farming until 1866, when 
he came to Watertown ; he has been carrying on tannery and leather business since he came here. He 
has been Alderman and Supervisor here ; prior to coming here, he held offices of Supervisor and Treasurer 
of Concord Township, where he was engaged in farming from 1856 to 1866. He was married in Water- 
town, in February, 1856, to Paulina Gojady ; she was born in Prussia; they have five sons — Albert, 
Charles, Max, Otto and Arthur; lost four children. Mr. and Mrs. Wegemann are members of the Ger- 
man Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

C. E. WENDTIjAND, house, sign and ornamental painter; born in Prussia Jan. 11, 1846; 
came to America with his parents in 1855; commenced to learn painter's trade in October, 1867; com- 
menced business for himself in March, 1876; prior to that time, employed by the C, M. & St. P. R. R. 
Co. He was married, Nov. 19, 1870, to Augusta Nilmann ; she was born in Germany; they have four 
children — Eliza, George, Emma and Charles. Mr. Wendtland is Vice President of the Sons of Hermann ; 
also holds same position in the Turner Society, and he is District Deputy of the Harugari Order. Mr. 
Wendtland's father, Fred Wendtland, is a resident of Ixonia, this county. 

GLTSTAVUS WERLiICH, real-estate and loan broker; was born in Hamburg, Germany, 
May 29, 1826 ; came to Wisconsin Aug. 25, 1846, locating in the town of Emmett, Dodge Co. Mr. 
Werlich was in the hardware business in Hamburg, and, when he came to Watertown, he went to farming 
until 1853, when, in connection with his brother under the firm name of Werlich Bros., opened a general 
store which he carried on for five years. In 1859, he entered the real-estate business, and also the loaning 
of n]oney, which business he has followed up to the present time. Mr. Werlich has made the following 
additions to Watertown : One in the Sixth Ward of between three and four acres ; one in Sixth Ward of 
twenty acres; one of eighty eight acres in town limits; and, in connection with other parties, has added 
the following : One of sixty-five acres in Third Ward ; one of forty acres in Seventh Ward ; one of sixty- 
two acres in Second Ward. He has held the following offices: In 1849, he was Constable of Emmett; in 
1850, 1851 and 1852, was Assessor of Emmett; in 1853, he was Town Clerk of Emmett; in 1855, 
1856 and 1857, was Alderman of Seomd Ward, Watertown ; in 1860-66, was City Clerk of Watertown. 
He married, April 22, 1851, Theresa Niemeyer, of Kingdom of Hanover, Germany ; he has six children 
— Constantine, Isabella, Percy ( Midshipman in the U. S. Navy), Julius, Olga and Meta. 

DK. FRED. C. WERl^ER, physician ; was boVn in WatertoWn April 12, 1857, where he 
received his literary education at the High School at that place. In 1871, he left Watertown and entered 
the drug business as prescription clerk with Mr. Rohlfing. In the spring of 1874, he went to Chicago 
and entered the Chicago College of Pharmacy, and graduated March 6, 1876, receiving the title of Ph. G. 
He then entered the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, graduating Feb. 25, 1879, since which time he 
has practiced in his profession in his native town. 

E. C. WICIiERT, produce and commission merchant; born in Prussia Aug. 19,1852; came 
to America June 13, 1869 ; located in this township, engaged in farming until 1870 ; then came to this 
city, engaged in saloon business one year ; then went to Oshkosh, employed in a saw-mill there about six 
months ; then returned to Watertown and engaged in present business in 1872. He was married in Farm- 
ington, this county, Jan. 9, 1873, to Augusta Podewell ; .she was born in Prussia; they have three chil- 
dren — Willie, Anna and Kiuil. 

F. VVIEDERMANN, engineer; was born in Prussia in 1824, where he lived till 1853, when 
he moved to the Slate of Ohio, and, in 1854, to Watertown, Wis., and began running a saw-mill, which 
business he followed for a number of years ; he is now employed as engineer in flouring-mill, of which F, 



630 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Miller & Co.. are proprietors. He was married to Miss Willhelmenia Lemerhardt, of Richwood, Wis., in 
April, 1855, and has sis children, whose names and births are as follows: Augusta, born Oct. 18. 1856 ; 
Emma, born June 12, 1857 ; Lucetta, born March 19, 1859 ; Lue.sa, born April 27, 1861 ; Henry, born 
June 4, 1867 ; Mena, born June 20, 1868. Mr. Wiederman and family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church. Mr. Wiederman enlisted in Company E, of the 2()th W. V. I., in 1863, and was mustered out 
of the service at Brownsville, Tex., in 1S64, and has since been a resident of Dodge Co., Wis. 

Al'CJl^ST WKirCwKXflORX, watchmaker, jeweler and dealer in musical instruments, guns, 
pistols, etc. Mr. Wiggciiliorn i.s a native of Pru.ssia ; came to Watertown in September, 1848; he has 
been engaged in his present business since 1861. In January, 1860, he married Katie Heep, a native of 
Prussia ; they have three children — Eugene, Theckle and Issidor. 

C. WitiJtirEXHOKX, manufacturer of cigars ; was born in Prussia June 6, 1828, and came to 
Wisconsin Oct. 19, 1848, locating in Watertown ; he learned the jeweler's trade in Prussia, and at the age 
of 20 years, together with his father and other members of the familj', came to America, landing at New 
York City, and the following October went to Watertown, where, for a time, he assisted his father, who 
bought out the Buena Vista Hotel; in 1856, he went into the general merchandise business in Hustisford, 
Dodge Co., which busine.«s he continued for seven years; in 1864, he spent one year at farming, after 
which he entered into copartnership with his brother Eugene in the tobacco business, in which they are 
largely engaged, in the manufacture of cigars ; in 1857, he was Supervisor of Dodge Co.; in 1858, he was 
Treasurer of Hustisford. and in 1854, was clerk in the Post Office at Watertown. He married, in 1853, 
Ernestine Walther, of iSaxonia ; he has three children — Julius, Guido and Arthur, 

EUGEXE WI«GEXH«RX, manufacturer of cigars ; was born in Prussia May 12, 1837, 
and came to Wisconsin in October, 1848; from Prussia he went to New York City, and shortly after 
moved with his father to Watertown, where he iissisted his father in the hotel business, after which he 
served an apprentioeshiji in the cigar business, and then went as clerk in the dry-goods business ; he next 
bought out his father's interest in the Buena Vista Hotel, and continued this until 1863 ; in 1858, he also 
started the manufacture of cigars on his own account, until the admission of his brother, when the manu- 
factory was carried on under the firm name of Wiggenhorn Brothers, which firm is now doing a successful 
and profitable business. lu 1873-74, he was Alderman of the First Ward; in 1876, he was elected 
President of the Watertown Fire Department ; in 1879, he was elected School Commissioner. He mar- 
ried, in July, 1863, Maria Schuellhelm ; he has eight children — Alma, Willie, Elvira, Pereival, Hilmar, 
Alwin. Hcrribcrt and Hilda. 

CH.\KLES H. WILBER, agent of the Chicago & North-Western Railway Company at 
Watertown and Watertown Junction ; son of Havens Wilber, now a resident of this city ; came here in 
1854. Charles H. has been engaged in railroad business for the last thirteen yeirs ; agent for the Chicago 
& North- Western Railway Company for past six years. Nov. 8, 1870, he married Parmelia A. Calhoun; 
she was burn in Watertown, N. Y. ; they have three children — Charles Albert, Preston C. and 
Ausrustiis iv 

^GORDEl'S J. WILBER, clerk, Chicago & North-Western Railway Company; born in 
Watertown, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1845 ; came to Watertown with his father. Havens Wilber, in 1854; con- 
nected with the railway company for six years. Married Elizabeth Jane Lester Oct. 9, 1875; they have 
one child — Rena E. 

HAVENS WILBER, house-joiner; born Oct. 7, 1820, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., where he was 
educated and learnt his profession; came to Wisconsin in 1855, and located in Watertown and worked at 
his own business, building the Jefferson C(mnty Bank, where the National Bank now stands, etc.; in 1859, 
went to work for the Chicago & St. Paul Railroad, but has, in the mean time, built the houses of Mr. 
Daniels and Charles Stopenback ; in 1864-65, he worked for the Government in Georgia and Tennessee; 
was a member of the Board of Street Commissioners for 1873-75, and has been a member of the 
Board of Education since 1873. In politics, he is a strons; Greenbacker. Married Mi.ss Adeline Adsit, 
of Jefferson Co., N. Y., Feb. 4, 1844; had five children— Gordeus J., Charles H., Byron B., Crawford S. 
and Mary E. 

HENRY WIXKEXWERUER, hardware merchant; born in Mecklenburg, Germany, 
Aug. 12, 1831 ; came to Watertown in 1854; he has been engaged in business about eighteen years. In 
March, 1864, he was married to Sophia Kusel ; she was born in Germany; they have five children — 
Doras, Henry, Ella, Otto and Hugo. 

HENRY WOLLERING, dry-goods merchant; born in Hanover April 2, 1824; came to 
America and located in New York City Sept. 16, 1847; came to Watertown in April, 1848; engaged in 
farming in the town of Milford two years and a half ; engaged in mercantile business since 1850. He 




■'»*^««^ 



m 



WATERTOWN TOWNSHIP. 633 

was married in Watertown, Nov. 16, 1852, to Mary Achilles ; she was born in Hanover; they have three 
children living — Henry, Jr., Matilda and Lena; lost four children. Mr. and Mrs. WoJlering are mem- 
bers of the German Evanirelieal Luiheran Church. 

M. J. WOODARI>, manufacturer ; was born in New London, Merrimack Co., N. H., and came 
to Wisconsin in 1854, locating at Oak Grove, where he farmed for eight years; in March, 1865, he came 
to Watertown and started a retail bakery, in connection with his brother George, under the firm name of 
Woodard Bros., which continued for two years, when they commenced the manufacture of crackers, at 
first witb a hand machine and afier, as their business increased, added steam-power and put in improved 
machinery ; this business is now being carried on with the most pleasing and profitable success. Mr. Wood- 
ard was School Commissioner of the Fifth Ward about two terms, was also Alderman of said ward. He 
married, in 1855, Mary Spaulding, of Maine, and has five children — Frank, Dura, Lottie, William and 
Myron. 

STEPHEN H. WOODARD, real-estate agent ; born in New London, N. H.,Oct. 14,1827; 
came to Oak Grove, Dodge Co., Wis., in 1854; engaged in clerking there three years; afterward con- 
ducted the railroad restaurant and eating-house at Beaver Dam ; had charge for one year of a gang of men 
engaged in grading the railroad between Minnesota Junction and Beaver Dam ; afterward spent another 
year at Oak Grove ; then he took charge of a store at Rubicon, which he conducted several years. He 
helped to raise Co. E, 1 Oth Wis. V. I. ; enlisted in that company, but, after spending two months in camp, he 
was rejected on account of injury in his hand which he received while in the railroad business. Mr. Wood- 
ard was Doorkeeper for the Wisconsin Legislature during the extra session of 1861 and regular session of 
1862 ; in 1865, he came here and engaged in the bakery business, continued in that business .several years, 
then engaged in real-estate and commission business ; Mr. W. has served two terms as Alderm in, and has 
also been elected twice to fill vacancies and has served for the unexpired terms. He was married, at Oak 
Grove, to Caroline Bortle, a native of Lenox, Madison Co., N. Y. ; they have two children — Emma J. and 
Wesley Ellsworth. 

CHARLES F. ZAUTNER, manufacturer of and dealer in boots and shoes; born in 
Prussia Feb. 22, 1849 ; he has worked at the trade of shoemaker for seventeen years; for the last six 
years in business for himself Dec. 26, 1870, he was married to Minnie E. Krahn ; she was born in 
Prussia ; they have three children — Charles, Lydia and George. Mr. and Mrs. Zautner are members of 
the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. Z. is a member of the Fire Department and Harmonia 
Singing Society ; he is a son of John H. Zautner, who came to Watertown with his family in 1856 ; he is 
now engaged in farming in this township; one of his sons, Christoph, enlisted in Co. E, 20th Wis. V. I., 
in Augu.st, 1862 ; he was wounded at the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark.; he died Oct. 10, 1863, about two 
months after receiving his wound. 

ANDREW ZICKERT, cooper; born in Prus.sia March 21, 1832; came to Watertown in 
1857, having lived six mouths in Canada prior to coming here; engaged in present business for himself 
for the last fifteen years. Dec. 17, 1865, he was married to Otillia Steinbring ; she was born in Prussia; 
they have three children — Samuel, Theodore and Otillia. Mr. Zickert is one of the Trustees of the Ger- 
man Evangelical Lutheran Church ; he has been Alderman of the Second Ward. 



WATERTOWN TOWNSHIP. 

MRS. ELIZABETH BAILEl', Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Watertown. John Bailey was born 
March 12, 183(1, in Pennsylvania ; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1837, and his father took up 
300 acres of land in Watertown Township, Jefferson Co.; the country was quite new, woods coming to 
the door, through which pathways and clearings had to be made ; there was only one log house in Water- 
town, and they built a small shanty for temporary accommodation ; had to send to Milwaukee or Beloifc 
fot- provisions; wolves and wild animals surrounded them and came to the door at night, and the Indians 
at one time congregated so thickly as to scare the pioneers, but they were peaceable. In 1850, Mr. Jtihn 
Bailey bought forty acres, and his father gave him eighty, of which fifteen acres were afterward. sold. 
Aug. 11, 1862, he enlisted in the 29th W. V. I., and served twenty-two months; he was called the 
fighting-man of the regiment, and was at the battle of Port Gibson, siege of Vicksburg, the battle of 
Champion Hills, etc.; he fell sick at New Orleans ; Mrs. Bailey sent and had him brought home, and the 
disea,se he had contracted finally caused his death of consumption. He married Miss Elizabeth Terwilleger, 



634 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

of Whitby, Canada, Oct. 20, 1850; he died Sept. 24, 1873 ; they had eight children— Harriett A., 
who died at 21 years and -1 months of ajre ; Mary A., Clara E., John T., Charles A., George, Isaac and 
Belle. The family are members of the Methodist Church. 

ALAXSOX BOOMER, farmer, Sees. 9 and 8 ; P. 0. Watertown ; born Feb. 14, 1815, in 
Jefferson Co., N. Y.; on June U, 1836, he came to Wisconsin and remained in Milwaukee, prospecting for 
about a year ; in August, 1837, he located temporarily on a school section in Waukesha, but left in Decem- 
ber and came to Watertown Township, Jefferson Co., and took up a claim of two quarter-sections, and 
at the Government sale the land was bought in his brother L. E. Boomer's name; the land was all wild, 
but Mr. ^Vood, who had S((uatted on one of the sections and whom they bought out, had built one of the 
earliest log houses erected in the township, in which Mr. B. lived till 1841, when he went back to New 
York ; from that time till 1845, it was in the hands of a tenant; then Mr. L. E. Boomer came West and 
took possession. Indians used frequently to come to trade, but they had no trouble with them, never even 
had anything stolen, which Mr. B. attributes to keeping whisky away from them and treating them as 
honorably as he would white men. At one time his brother anticipated trouble and wrote to the Governor, 
who sent arms to the settlers, but fortunately it proved a false alarm ; in 1849, Mr. L. E. B. built a dam 
and saw-mill, and made bricks as well as farming; in January, 1858, Mr. A. Boomer bought his brother 
out after being East sixteen years. He built himself the handsomest farmhouse in the county, in 1861, 
and also erected all the barns and outbuildings ; he now owns 35U acres of land, and raises principally 
wheat, oats, barley and corn, makes a specialty of fattening stock, keeping about forty head constantly 
ready for the market. Married Miss Lydia Van Wormer, of Watertown Township, January 12, 1862 ; 
they had one little boy who died when 1 month old ; he has since adopted two children, the first a boy, 
who was drowned when about 8 years old, and then a little girl named Alice, now living. He was Ward 
Supervisor two years. 

ADAM BRrCK, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Watertown ; born Oct. 10, 1828, in Prussia, and 
worked as a vine cultivator in the Rhenish Provinces ; came to America in 1849 and located in Wati-rtown 
Township, Jefferson Co., Wis.; bou ;ht forty acres of land and built his house and birns ; he now owns 
sixty-three acres and raises rye, wheat, barley, oats and stock ; he al.-^o makes butter for the market. He 
married Mi.ss Sophie Forfmann, of Prussia, July 11, 1851), and has had seven children — -Sophie, born May 
4, 1851, died Aug. 2. 1854 ; Mena, born Dec. 28, 1852, died Aug. 1, 1854 ; Mena, born Jan. 29, 1855 ; 
Sophie, Oct. 1, 1856; Anna, Dec. 29, 1858; Emma, Sept. 29, 1860 ; Frederick, Sept. 21, 1863. He 
was Treasurer of Township one year. Supervisor of Township one year. Clerk of Schools fifteen years in 
succession, Treasurer of Schools three years; member of Lodge, No. 77, I. O. 0. F. He and his wife 
are members of the Congregational Church. 

A. W. CARLIIV, farmer. Sec. 5; P. O. Watertown ; born July 14, 1807, in Crawford Co., 
Penn.; came to Wisconsin in 1844, and settled in Ixonia, taking up 160 acres of wild land, cutting a road 
two miles long to get to it. He built the first log house in that neighborhood, there beins no one between 
him and Hu.stisford, going north, and the nearest west was six miles away. In 1865, he sold out and 
bought eighteen acres in Watertown Township, and then seventy-seven and one-quarter acres on the same 
road, of which he has sold thirty-five, retaining in all sixty and one-quarter aires, all in the city limits. He 
married Miss Ella Miller, of Erie Co., Penn , June 7, 1831 ; had six children — Avaline (who is dead), 
Addison, Henry, Josephine, Henderson (who is dead) and Mary. Addison was in the Government 
employ during the war, shipping animals to New Orleans. In 1862, Henry enlisted in the 28th W. V. I. 
and served with them three years ; was at the battle of Helena, the taking of Little Rock, etc. Henders n 
enlisted, in 1862, in the 17th W. V. I.; served three years; re-enlisted in the same regiment, and served 
in it till the close of the war. Mr. Carlin has been a member of the Good Templars for many years. 

Lr»WI« CORDE!^, farmer, Sec. 26; P. 0. Watertown; born Dec. 4, 1827," in Hanover, 
where he was a farmer; came to America in 1847, and located in Watertown Township, Jefferson Co., 
W^is.; bought 240 acres of land, half of it from the Government. He now owns 120 acres, and raises 
all kinds of grain and stock. Married Miss Henrietta Hoafer Aug. 10, 1S50; had eleven children — 
Sophie (who died), Ann (who died), Hermann, Henrietta, Amelia (who died), Henry. Frank, Ann, 
Otto, Helen and Marie. 

HON. H. ELIXN, nurseryman and farmer. Sec. 8; P. 0. Watertown; born March 7, 1825, 
in Leesville, Lawrence Co., Ind. ; moved to Illinois in 1830 with his parents, who located in Paris, 
where he learned his profession of nurseryman. In 1848, he came to Wisconsin and settled in Water- 
town Township, Jefferson Co.; bought two and one-half acres and afterward five acres of land near 
the College; then ten acres on Silver Creek, when he sold the first two pieces. About 1858, he 
bought ninety-nine acres of prairie and timber land, a tavern stand and ferryboat in Iowa, and sold 



WATERTOWN TOWNSHIP. <!35 

it within six days. In 1859, he bought 120 acres in Iowa for $600, and, within a year, sold it for 
$1,200; then bought forty acres near Columbus, Wis., and sold it at an advance of $150. In 1860, 
bought 160 acres near Delton, on Webster Prairie, and sold it at a loss of over $800. In 1874, bought 
his nursery grounds and farm of sixty-two acres, on which he raises all kinds of fruit and shade trees and 
evers;reens suitable to this climate ; on the farm, he raises all kinds of grain and stock. Married Miss 
Annioe Frost, of Hustisford, Wis., March 10, 1850 ; had eight children — Eunice (now Mrs. Squiers), 
Alvy N., Harriet (now Mrs. Hurtubise), Annie, Eudora, Viola, Benjamin and William S. (who dii d at 1) years 
of age). Mr. Flinn was Mayor of Watertowu for 1873 and 1874; was employed in the Quartermaster's 
Department in St. Louis from 1864 till the close of the war; member of Assembly for 1877, 1878, 
and is for 1879; was elected the first time without opposition, polling 2,034 votes. In 1879, he 
received 819 against 534 for J. Gibb (Independent Democrat), 5,387 for Shennick (Independent Dem- 
ocrat), and 183 for S. S. Woodworth (Greenbacker). He was Alderman of the Third Ward for 1877. 

JOHN Q. HULL, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Watertown ; born Jan. 19, 1810, iu Butternut, N. 
Y. ; moved with his parents to Washington Co., where he received a common-school education ; in 1824, 
moved to Johnsburg, Warren Co.; worked there, part of the time farming, and, for three years, in a saw 
and grist mill ; in 1844, came to Wisconsin and settled in Watertown Township ; took up fifty acres of 
land, partially improved, with log house, etc. ; afterward, added more land till he owned 108 acres, but has 
sold all but sixty acres ; he built his residence in 1849-50; the barn he built in 1847. Married Miss 
Maria Qua, of Washington Co., N. Y., May 3, 1837 ; she was born Nov. 10, 1810. William H. Norton, 
a nephew whom they had adopted, enlisted in a Wisconsin regiment in March, 1865. Mr. Hull was 
Supervisor for 1849 and 1850, was Chairman four times and held the office in all eight yesirs ; he was 
Enrolling Officer for the army in 1862. Members of the Methodist Church, in which he has held the 
offices of Trustee and Steward since 1852; he is now Chairman of Board of Trustees. Mr. H. was 
Executor of Thomas Mitchell's estate for ten years. Trustee of Thomas Janes for ten years. Executor of 
Crowley's estate and Executor of Michael Gamble's estate for three years. 

JUDSON METCALF, deceased ; born Nov. 6, 1785, near Boston, Mass. ; came to Wiscon- 
sin in 1846 and located in Watertown Township, Jefferson Co.; bought sixty acres of land; he died in 
June, 1864, leaving the property to a son and daughter — Daniel Metcalf and Mary Ann Hall, who have 
since added fifty-five acres, making 115 in all. Mary Ann married Thomas Hall Jan. 14, 1853; he died 
Jan. 20, 1856. Daniel Metcalf married Miss Harriet E. Hoisington, of Farmington, Jan. 16, 1868; he 
died Sept. 16, 1876, leaving four children— Ella, born Feb. 10, 1862 ; Francis W., May 18, 1865 ; Myrtie 
A., Sept. 22, 1868 ; George D., Oct. 23, 1874. The property now belongs to Mrs. Metcalf and Mrs. 
Hall ; Sec. 25 ; P. O. Pipcrsville. 

JOSHUA NORMAIV, farmer. Sec. 36; P. O. Pipersville ; born in 1824 in Somersetshire, 
England ; came to America about 1833 and landed in Canada with his parents, who died there ; came to 
Watertown in 1851 ; for eighteen months, was teaming to Milwaukee and through the country, taking 
emigrants out, buying provisions, etc.; in 1853, rented a farm in Ixunia Township, and, in 1855, went to 
Appleton and bought 120 acres of land for $200, and, in three months, sold it for $550, and returned to 
Watertown Township, bought eighty acres for $1,600, leaving $900 on mortgage, and only had a yoke of 
oxen and a cow ; first year did not raise enough to pay interest; in 1861, sold out for $1,600 and went 
to Canada, but returned almost immediately and repurchased it, giving $100 bonus; in 1866, bought 
thirty-two and a half acres in Ixonia for $2,000 ; in 1868, bought forty acres for $1,500 ; in 1871, bought 
thirty-two acres in Ixonia for $2,700 and paid for it all in two years, having to make up $2,300 to do so ; 
built the residence in 1876 ; everything is now unincumbered and in a thorough state of cultivation. 
Married Miss Martha Hughes, of Watertown Township, Feb. 22, 1853; have six children — John P., 
Joaima, George W., Hugh, Thomas C. and Lizzie A. He was Treasurer of School District three years 
and Road Overseer three years. 

WALTKR PEASE, farmer; born March 20, 1799, in Windsor, Hartford Co., Conn ; his 
profession was that of a hatter; in 1830, went to Hartford City and carried on a hatting business, still 
running his factory at Windsor; in the fall of 1849, came to Wisconsin and located in Watertown, Jeffer- 
son Co., two of his sons having preceded him ; purchased fifty-six acres at first, but now owns 140 acres, 
which is entirely devoted to farming. Married Miss Olive Denslow, of Connecticut, Sept. 4, 1825 ; she 
died in March, 1834, leaving five children — Walter L., Joseph G., Oliver D., Ruby B. and Olive A. He 
married Mrs. Miuerva C. Griswold, of Connecticut, in December, 1854, who had one child by this mar- 
riage — Frank H., who died at 6 years of age, and three by her former marriage — Abiah B., James D. 
and Emma H. Griswold. In 1861-62, Oliver D. Pease raised a company in Jefferson Co., of which he 
was Captain; on April 9, 1862. he was wounded at Shiloh and died three days afterward. Abiah B. 



6b6 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Griswold came home on a visit from Chicago, and, on his return, was killed by the explosion of an engine- 
boiler at Milton .Junction. Mr. Pease was member of the City Council of Hartford several years; he 
was Director of the Farmers' & Mechanics' Bank there, and he was Assessor o f Watertown three 
years. 

trUSTAV RABBACH, farmer, Sec. 33; P. O. Watertown; born July 7, 1835, in Prussia, 
where he worked on his fiither's farm ; came to America in 18.59 ; worked in Janesville. Wis., for a time ; 
then moved to Watertown Township, Jefferson Co., and worked out till 1863, when he bought thirty acres 
of land ; in 1SG7. sold it and bought forty acres ; iu 1872, sold out and bought forty acres on the Jefferson 
road, and, in 1877, sold that and bought the farm he now owns, of eighty acres; built his house, barns, 
etc. ; he raises all kinds of grain and stock. Married Miss Sophia Mass, of Prussia, Dec. 22, 180-1, and 
has had seven children — Minnie M., born Nov. 27, 1865; Emma M. S., May 9, 1867, died June 28, 
1867 ; Ida H., born Oct. 3, 1868, died Jan. 24, 1869 ; Mary M., born Oct. 3, 1868, died Jan. 22, 1869; 
Anna A., born Sept. 11, 1869; Emile G. J., July 3, 1875 ; WUhelm J.. May 18, 1877, died Sept. 17, 
1877. 

JOHBf W. ROBERTS, farmer. Sec. 25; P. 0. Pipersville; born April 25, 1819, in Carnar- 
vonshire, Wales, where he worked in a slate quarry ; came to America in 1 849, and located in Watertown 
Township, Jefferson Co. ; in 1853, bought eighty acres of land ; at this time, he had to haul his grain to 
Milwaukee, the railroad being built to Watertown two years afterward ; has since added twenty-five acres, 
making 105 in all; he built his house in 1853, and the barns in 1801 ; he raises all kinds of grain and 
stock. Married Miss Catherine Humphrey, of Carnarvonshire, Wales, Feb. 15, 1837; she died, leaving 
two children — John G., born March 29, 1846; William A., May 13, 1848. John G. enlisted in Co. 
H, 27th Wis. V. I., Oct. 25, 1862, for three years, and, after that, into other regiments, in which he 
served till the close of the war. William A. enlisted in the 52d Wis. V. I., in 1865, and served to the 
end of the war. Married Miss Mary Hughes, of Anglesea, Wales, June 16, 1851 ; have four children — 
Owen H., born Nov. 27, 1852; Elizabeth A., Jan. 24, 1855; Thomas G., April 6, 1860; Robert M., 
July 13, 1S63. Members of Welsh Presbyterian Church. 

THOMAS SHILiLCOX, farmer. See. 10 ; P. 0. Watertown ; born May 13, 1824, at Milton 
Mowbray, Leicestershire, England ; left in 1843, and landed in America in 1844 ; worked in New York 
City as gardener, etc., till Augu.st, 1S51, when he came to Wisconsin and located in Watertown, Dodge 
Co., and worked for John W. Cole, one of the first settlers in this district, till 1857, when he moved into 
Jefferson Co. and bought twenty acres of land on the Wilder road ; he built his house in 1800 ; now owns 
forty acres of laud, and raises all kinds of grain and ftock ; he was drafted twice into the army, and 
enlisted into Co. A, 51st W. V. I., but did not leave the State. Married Miss Mary Ann Dalton, of 
Nottinghamshire, England, Nov. 14, 1843; have six children — John, born June 4, 1845; Ruth, April 
15, 1850; Kliza, Dec.^23, 1853; Annie, March 14, 1856; Charles, Sept. 20, 185S; William, July 26, 
1863. John enlisted in the 2d W. V. C. (Washburn), in 1862, and STved three years with thjm in Mis- 
souri, Louisiana, Texas, etc. Members of the Episcopal Church. 

F. W. SIDOW, farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. Watertown; born Oct. 2, 1838, in Prussia; came to 
America iu .June, 1853 ; located in Watertown Township, Jefferson Co.; worked out at farming also, at Madi- 
son, in a bakery ; in 1801, bought twenty acres ; in 1863, sold it and bought forty acres ; in 1872, bought 
forty acres more ; now owns eighty acres; enlarged the house, built barns, etc.; he has raised all kinds of 
grain and stock ; he was sick with typhoid fever twelve weeks ; afterward caught cold and it settled 
in his back, so that he could not work for a year. Married Miss Augusta Wiegand, of Prus.sia, Dec. 11, 
1863 ; have six children — Emmie, born Sept. 2, 1864; Minnie, Nov. 12, 1865; Edmond, Sept. 5, 1808; 
Amalia, Nov. 5, 1872; Phillipiiina, Feb. 24, 1875; Alma, Nov. 3, 1877. He was Treasurer of the 
township for one vcar, and is Supervisor for 1879. 

FREDERICK TEICH, farmer. Sec. 32; P. 0. Watertown; born Jan. 6, 1835, in Prus- 
sia, where he was a farmer; came to America in 1801, and settled in Watertown Township, Jefferson Co., 
Wis.; bought sixty acres of land, with house, barns, etc.; he raises all kinds of grain and stock. Married 
Miss Caroline Iremann, of Prussia, Dec. 14, 1805 ; have had four children — Matilda A., born June 
2, 1870; Hermann F., Nov. 30, 1872; Maria A., Oct. 12, 1875; Emma L., June 13, 1879. Members 
of the Jjutheran Church. 

AUGUST TEICH, brother of Frederick ; born in August, 1837, in Prussia; came to America 
in 1801, and settled in Watertown Township; in 1805, bought fifty acres of land, and raises all kinds of 
produce. Married Misj Henrietta Shmuden, of Prussia, June 13, 1805 ; five children — Robert, born 
Oct. 1, 1867; Wilhelm, Aug. 4, 1809; Anna, April 7, 1872; Ada, March 28, 1874; Emma, Dec. 4, 
1878. Members of the Lutheran Church. 



JEFFERSOK TOWNSHIP. 637 

FREDERICK YERGENZ, farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0. Pipersville ; boni April 3, 18.37, in 
Prussia; came to America with his parents; inherited ninety acres of land, on which he raises all kinds 
of grain and stock. Married Miss Louisa Bussewitz, of Pru.ssia, June 24, 1862 ; have eight children — 
Martha, born April 19, 1863 ; Frederick, June 21. 1865 ; Charles, July 26, 1867 ; Mary, March 9, 1869 ; 
John, March 3, 1871 ; Louise, Jan. 29, 1873 ; Edward, May 28, 1875 ; Hermann, Dec. 20, 1877. He 
was Supervisor of township two years. Members of the Reformed Episcopal Church. 

JOHN VERGENZ. deceased; born March 9, 1804, in Prussia; came to America in 1852, 
and settled in Watertown Township, Jefferson Co.; bought 240 acres of land in May of that year. Mar- 
ried Miss Henrietta Dencer. of Prussia, Feb. 21, 1825. He died Nov. 14, 1865, leaving four children — 
John, Martin, Frederick and Augusta. The real estate was divided among the three boys. 

WILLIAM WIGAJiD, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Watertown; born April 24, 1840, in Prus- 
sia ; came to America July 21, 1848 ; his lather bought eighty acres of land in Watertown Township, Jeffer- 
son Co., Wis., and Mr. W. worked for him till 1862, when he gave him the farm, and the father died in 
fall of that year. Mr. W. now owns 100 acres and raises all kinds of grain and stock. On their arrival 
only three acres had been broken ; they made all the improvements themselves ; built the barns in 1850 
and the house in 1852, and now all is cleared except eight acres of woodland, kept for their own use. 
Married Miss Philippina Pfeifar, of Prussia, Dec. 2, 1862 ; they have five children — Emma L., born Nov. 
9,1863; Edward, Nov. 8, 1867 ; William, Sept. 21, 1871; Louis, May 21,1874; Clara, Sept. 19, 
1876. He was Supervisor of township four years; Treasurer of township one year. They are mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church. 

CHARLES B. WI LK I W, farmer. Sec. 14; P. 0. Watertown ; born in 1815, in Orange 
Co., N. Y. ; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1839, and located in Watertown Township, Jefferson Co. ; 
took up 160 acres of land; returned East iu the spring of 1841. In 1843, came back to Wisconsin; 
visited the East occasionally, but considered Watertown his home. In the fall of 1840. Mr. Wilkin 
and a friend tried to run some logs down the river, but at the mill-dam the logs parted and let him through, 
but, fortunately, the current carried him to the bank all safe, much to the surprise of his friends ; that 
same year,s ix or eight rafts with two men on each, went as far as Lake Koshkonong, where they waited for 
favorable winds three or four days, and got frozen solid, and had to remain twenty-four hours before they 
could get to land, when they had to abandon the rafts. In 1846, he sold eighty acres. His brother, who 
came in 1839, owned one-quarter section; he died in 1856, and Mr. W. inherited the property, but 
has since sold eighty acres of it. He now owns 180 acres; he built his barn in 1858, and his house iu 
1860 ; he raises all kinds of grain and live stock, wheat being the staple. 

FREDERICK WINKENWERDER, ftirmer. Sec. 16; P. 0._ Watertown ; born Feb. 
2, 1837, in Mecklenburg; came to America in 1851, and worked in Milford for six months, then came to 
Watertown and clerked in a store till the fall of 1860, when he went into partnership with George Hemp 
as a dry-goods and general merchandise dealer. In the fall of 1863, they dissolved, and he and his brother 
ran the business till 1865, when they sold out. In the fall of 1866, he bought a stock of goods at Hustis- 
ford, Dodge Co., but in the spring moved back to Watertown, and kept store there till the spring of 1873, 
when he bought 120 acres of land in Farmiugton Township; sold that in 1875, and bought 120 acres in 
Watertown Township; sold again in 1877, and bought the farm he now owns, of 120 acres; he raises all 
kinds of grain and live stock, and carries on a good business. Married Miss Frances A. Bates, of Farm- 
ington, Oct. 12, 1862; they had seven children — George, born April 17, 1866; Alice, May 5, 1868; 
Carrie, born May 29, 1869, died July 21, 1870 ; Hattie, born Sept. 17, 1870 ; William, May 10, 1873 ; 
Nellie, Feb. 21, 1876 ; Jane, Dec. 14, 1878. 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 

HENRY ARNSTEIX, merchant, firm of Arnstein & Muck, Jefferson; was born in Bohe- 
mia, Austria, April 23, 1845 ; came to America in 1869 ; landed in New York ; thence to Milwaukee and 
to Madison, Wis.; then returned to Milwaukee, where he remained three years ; began business in Jeffer- 
son in 1872. JMarried Miss Fannie Loebel Sept. 28, 1872; she was born March 13, 1851, in Bohemia; 
they have had four children, two living — Washington, born July 1, 1876, and Herbert, Aug. 17, 1878. 

CHARLES BAIRENTHER, joint proprietor of tannery, Jefferson, born in Bayern. Ger- 
many, June 19, 1854 ; came to America in 1870, direct to Jefferson, where he has tince lived. In 1874, he 



638 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

began in his present business with Mr. Troe^er. Married Elizabeth Troeger Dec. 26, 1874; thej' have 
two children — Christopher, born Sept. 27, 1875, and John, December, 1878. Mr. B. is an Odd Fellow, 
and belnngs to the Lutheran Church. 

JOHN BAL'KR, farmer. Sec. 26; P. 0. Jefferson ; born in Bavaria, Germany, Jan. 24, 1825, 
and came to America in 1846, and to Jefferson Co. in 1847 ; settled on his present place of 176 acres in 
1873. Married Barbara Stroetz ; she died April IC, 1863; they have nine children — Anna, born Dec. 4, 
1845 ; Mary, Jan. 25, 1848; Elizabeth, Sept. 17, 1850 ; Hannah, Feb. 10, 1852; Kathrina, July :i7, 
1857 ; Jacob, Dec. 31, 1853 ; George, Jan. 7, 1856 ; Lawrence, May 12, 1859 ; Edward, Jan. 19, 1861. 
The fatnily belong to thi/ K\an:.'i;lical Association. 

€OL. GEORGE W. BIRD, attorney at law, Jefferson ; born in Milwaukee July 28, 1837 ; 
graduated at the Madison State University in June, 1860 ; on July 5, 1860, went into the law oflBce of 
Smith, Keyes & Gay ; studied two years and was admitted to the bar; came to Jefferson in 1863, and 
established in the practice of his profession ; enlisted in Co. D, 40th W. V. I., May 24, 1864, and was 
dbchdrged Sept. 16, 1864. Married, Oct. 2, 1864, by Rev. X. E. Chapin, at Aztalan, Wis., Miss Maria 
S. Sawin. born July 12, 1845, at La Porte, Ind ; they have four children, all born in Jefferson — Clare 
Brayton, born Oct. 27, 1868; Guy Sawin, April 16, 1871 ; Hobart, Sept. 10, 1873, and Maria Louise, 
April 5, 1876. Col. Bird was County Superintendent of Jefferson Co. for four years from January. 
1866, to January, 1870, and from 1874 to 1876 was private secretary to Gov. Taylor; has been Chairinnn 
of the town of Jefferson, and member of the County Board two years. He has also been a delegate from 
the Second Congressional District to the last three Democratic National Conventions. In Col. Bird's 
family there are four generations — his children, their parents, their grandmother, Mrs. Louisa M. Sawin, 
aged 64 years, and their great-grandmother, Mrs. Maria Brayton, aged 80 years — the widow of Deacon 
Jeremiah Brayton. Mrs. Louisa Sawin taught the first school in Madison, Wis. 

jrUGE IRA W. BIRD, attorney at law, Jefferson: was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., 
March 17, 1819 ; came to Milwaukee in 1836 ; remained two years, and, in 1838, went to Madison, Wis.; 
was elected member of the State Legislature from Madison at the second session ; was Sheriff of Dane Co.; 
also Register of Deeds three or four years ; went to California and returned in 1852; in the spring of 
1854, came to Jefferson, where he has since remained ; has been Town Clerk, member of Board of Super- 
visors and Clerk of same; has also been elected Circuit Clerk, and .served three terms as County Judge of 
Jefferson Co. He married Antoinette Brayton ; had one child — Ella A., born in October, 1853, who 
married R. B. Kirkland, now in Jefferson. His second wife was Emily M. Howsc ; they have three chil- 
dren — Ralph, Belle and Janet. Mr. B. was tendered the office of Judge for the fourth term, but declined 
the Domination. He was the first Mayor of Jefferson, and the last President of the Village Board under 
the old organization. 

BEXJAmX BiiODGETT, farmer, Sees. 17 and 18; P. 0. Jefferson; came to Jefferson 
with his jjarentff in 1 ■» Ki ; hi.s father, Joseph, came in 1842, and took up land from Government, where 
hLs son Benjamin now lives ; Joseph Blodgett died with cholera on the Mississippi River in 1855. Benja- 
min went to California in 1852, crossing the Plains on foot, and returned in 1857. Married Miss Delia 
Fleming Dec. 1, 1859 ; she was born April 20. 1838 ; they have had five children, four living — Victoria 
Voltaire, born Dec. 14, 1861; George Wilder, Sept. 3, 1866; Thomas Paine, Feb. 11, 1872; Stuart Mill, 
July 18, 1875 ; George V., Sept. 14, 1860, died Sept. 8, 1861. Mr. B. enlisted, Nov. 4, 1863, in Co. E, 
4th W. V. C., as Corporal, and wa.s mustered out Aug. 22, 1865 ; was, most of the time, engaged io 
scouting. He has 1 85 acTcs of land. 

O. S. BRANDON, flour, feed and groceries, Jefferson ; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Nov. 
13, 1818, and raised in Darke Co. on a farm. At the age of 23, he began in his present business in Ohio, 
and came to Jefferson in 1844; was here Deputy Sheriff two years, and Under Sheriff two years. About 
1850, he established in his present business, which he has followed .since that time, except for a few years 
previous to 1862, when he was in the dry-goods trade. Mr. B. has also been Town Treasurer four years. 
Married Miss Elizabeth Reed May 3, 1840; she was born Jan. 14, 1817, and died April 19, 1878; there 
are three children— Mary Catherine, now Mrs. Seaver, born Feb. 6, 1841 ; H. W., May 10, 1843, and T. 
J., Jan. 1, 1845. T. J. married Miss .Mary Dodge, of Fort Atkinson; they have two children — Leeta 
and Bell ; he is agent in the American Express Office at Jefferson. The father of O. S. Brandon was 
Joseph, and born in Wheeling, W. Va.; came to Warren Co., Ohio, about 1819 ; the mother of 0. S. was 
Catherine (Price) Brandon ; father and mother both died in Ohio. 

H. W. BRANDON, farmer, and owner of Sunny Side Farm, near Jefferson City ; was born in 
Versailles, (Jhio, May 10, 1843. Married Miss Sarah B. Marble March 30, 1865, at Madison, N. Y. ; 
she was born Oct. 27, 1846. Mr. Brandon spent seven years in Washington Territory, five years in 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 639 

California, and settled upon his present place of eighty-five acres in 1877. Family belong to Universalist 
Oliureh. Mr. Brandon is a Mason. 

JACOB BRKrNKir, brower and saloon keeper, Jefferson; born March 24, 1815, in Elsen- 
i'eldt, Bavaria, (.icrmany ; loarned trade, and worked as apprentiiv ten years in Wert.sberg; came to 
Ameiioa iNIaroh (j, 18,54, and first worked in Philadelphia three months, then came to Jeflerson and worked 
at eooperinir, and trot out timber for making beer-bariels ; helped ereet his present brewery. Married 
Anna Kueekor in 18.54 ; they have one son — George. People are members of Catholic Church. Mr. 
Breunig has been Alderman several terms. For full description of Mr. Breunig's manufacture, sec 
" Breweries." 

SYLVESTER KREWEK, tarmer. Sec. '.'4; P. 0. Jefferson ; born at Ilighgale, Vt., Aug. 
12, 18(14 ; was for some time in Biaecville, Trumbull Co., Ohio, till Nov. 4, 1845, when he removed to 
Jefferson and bought school land for present farm, on Sections L'3 and 24. Married Klizabeth Armstrong 
for first wife, by whom ho had four children — Alphonso, Franklin. Horatio and Elizabeth. Alphonso and 
Horatio are dead. Horatio wa.s in the late war. F. B. has taught school several terms, and was known 
as the ■■Teacher Brewer," and is now a doctor. Mr. Brewer married Miss Sarah Hake, for second wite, 
April 15, 184H; she was born in 1814; had eisjlit children by this wife — Leah (now dead), born Julv 6, 
1841; Daniel, Jan. 21, 1848; Peter. Dec. 23, 1S4G ; Sarah, dan. 10, 1853 ; Sylvester H., Aug." U>, 
1852; Cynthia, dan. 10, 1855 ; Jay, Jan. 13, 185!l, and Maryette, March 10, 184.5. Daniel is a Doctor, 
and now settled in Fairbiirv. Til. 

AliONZO K. BRO\V\, Jefferson; born in Vermont Oct. 11, 1819; son of Eliada and 
Nancy Brown ; removed to Wisconsin in 1837, in company with his mother and brother, and settled in 
what is now the village of Hebron, in the town of Hebron, on the site of Cook's Hotel ; in September of 
the same year, removed to Jefferson, and, on the 9th of October, assisted at the " raising" of the first 
frame' house built in the present county seat of Jefferson ; this building stood on the present site of the 
Jefferson House ; Nov. 20, 1837, removed to He Kalb Co , III., where he lived for fourteen years, return- 
ing to Jetter.son in 1852. In 1 Si! 1, enlisted in Co. E, of the 4th W. V. I.; was in the Peninsular 
campaign ; with Gen. Butler's expedition to Ship Island ; from there to the mouth of the Mississippi and 
New Orleans ; then at Bonieary Point, Louisiana ; with his regiment when it attacked the rebels at War- 
rington, below Vicksburg ; afterward five miles below Vicksburg, where he assisted in digging the famous 
" Butler Ditch ;" thence to Baton Rouge, August, 1802, and engaged in the tight between Gens. Williams 
and Breekenridge, in which the later was whipped ; back to New Orleans, and from there to New York, in 
company with several thousand convalescents. In 18li3, re-eulisted in the 4th W. V. C, which formed 
a part of the command of Gen. N. P. lianks, in his Bed Biver expedition, and assisted at the battle and 
taking of Port Hudson ; July 8, lSl)3, appointed by the Secretary of War Veterinary Surgeon for the 
r.gimeiit ; mustered out of the service June 2, IStili, at Brownsville. Texas, whi'n he returned to Jeft'erson 
and was elected to the office ot City Marshal three terms; afterward Deputy Sheriff for .several years ; in 
1878, was elected to the office of Sheriff of Jefferson Co.. and is the present incumbent. Married, in 
1844, in De Kalb Co.. III., to Emily Darling, the fruits of the union being three children, all dead. 

SOIjON brown, briekmaker and cheesemaker, Jefferson; born in Berlin, Vt., Aug. 13, 
1824 ; is a son of Eliada Brown, who died in 1855. Mr. Solon Brown came West to .Milwaukee in June, 
1837, and in company with a sister and mother, went to Sycamore, III., and thence to Jefferson, in Novem- 
ber, 1837, with a hdf brother, E. G. Darling, and lived with him till of age, then went to teaming between 
Jefferson and Milwaukee till 1850, when ho went to California ; returned in 1854, and the nest year 
engaged in brickuniking till 1877 ; sometimes had three yards. Started a cheese-factory in 1877, which 
he still operates. Married Miss Candis Whipple in 1848 ; they have two children — Carrie A., born Oct. 
4, 1850, and William .\... born May 2, 1858. 

CAPT. NEIiSON BRITETT, attorney at law, Jefferson; was born at Massena Spring's, St. 
Lawrence Co., N. Y., Aug. 14, 1828 ; came to JetVerson, October, 1854; spent the summer of 1855 in Kansas ; 
returned in 185(i, and read law with Holmes <'^ Merriman three years, then was admitted to the bar; in 
the spring of 1859, he formed a copartnership with J. E. Holmes and continued law practice till 1801 ; 
enlisted under the first call for troops, in May, 1801, in a company intended for the 4th Wisconsin, but it 
did not muster with the regiment; in July, 18(!], he enlisted in Co. D, 1st W. V. C. and was elected Cap- 
tain of the company in September ; the regiment carried on an almost iiulependent warfare, and was in 
several severe campaigns through Arkansa-s ; was afterward under Kosecrans in the Department of the 
Tennessee; this rigorous service proved too severe for Capt. B., and he was compelled to retire from serv- 
ice Aug. 3, 1803 ; in 1SG5, owing to poor health, he bought a farm and farmed it until he regained health 
sufficiently to resume practice, in 1875. Married Anna A. Watt, October 24, 1800; she was born in 



640 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Scotland in 1848; they have four children living — William Arthur, Bertha E., Walter C. and Marie de 
Lerba, aged 9, 7, 6 and 2 years, respectively. He has held the following offices : Superintendent of Town- 
slilp Schools, Justice of the Peace ten years, and Deputy Couuty Clerk, also Police Justice six years ending 
with 187(); religion. Universalist ; politics, Democrat. 

E. Li. BUCKIXOHAM, p;unting aud archery, JeflFerson ; born in Rochester, N. Y.; came 
to Geneva, Wis., in 1847, where he remained thirteen years; in 1854, came to Janesville and lived till 
1858, and thence to Jefferson; wa.s in the furniture business from 18GG to 1871. Married Miss Lydia 
M. BaVcr, Jan. 13. 1872; she was born July 1.'). 18.52. 

CHARLEM V. BULLiWINKEL, dealer in hardware and agricultural implements, Jeffer- 
son ; is a son of Ortgies Bullwinkel, and came to Jefferson Co. with his parents in 1848, and settled 
at what is now called Helenville. Mr. C. F.'s father kept post office at Helenville, from 1851 till the time 
of his death, in 1873, and has also been Notary Public and Justice of the Peace; when he first came to 
the county, he bought land at Helenville and ran a hotel and general merchandise store. Helenville took 
its name from Charles' mother, whose name was Helen ; she died in 18(5(3. Mr. Charles B. was born in 
Dukedom of Oldenburg, Germany, Sept. 15, 1842; came to America in 1848; he has ageneral merchan- 
dise store at Helenville; came to Jefferson in 1869, and established in present business; he has held the 
offices of A.s.sessor and Village Treasurer, and is now Alderman. Married Miss Anna B. Grimm May 19, 
1870; she was born in Jefferson. Jan. 22, 185(1 ; they have had three children, two living — George, 
born June 8. 1877 ; Charles, March 30, 1879, and Anna M., who is now dead. 

I. T. CARR, editor and proprietor of the Jefferson Banner, was born in town of Henrietta, 
Monroe Co., N. Y., July 5, 1831, being the closing figure of one of the grand celebrations of our nation's 
birth; he received a common-school education, and, at the age of 15 years, learned the printer's trade in 
the office of the Western New Yorker at Warsaw, N. Y., which business he has since followed most of 
the time. Enlisted Aug. 6, 1862, as private in Co. G, 22d W. V. I., and served thus nine months, when 
he was commissioned as' First Lieutenant of Co. K, 16th W. V. I., in which position he served through 
the Atlanta campaign, and, after the fall of the city, he resigned his commission at Eastport, Ga., and was 
next commissioned Captain of Co. A, 46th W. V. I., and served until mustered out Oct. 10, 1865; in 
the mean time, he joined Sherman at Ackworth, Ga., and was actively engaged in the various campaigns 
of this army for some time ; by order of Gen. Granger, was put in charge of the Frecdmen's Bureau at 
Huntsville, Ala. ; was next detailed as President of Military Commission at Huntsville, Ala., for the trial 
of civil and criminal cases, till September, 1865, after which he joined the army and wa.s mustered out. 
After Mr. Carr left the army, he worked at the printing business till 1875, then bought out and published 
the Green Count;/ Reformer at Monroe, Wis., for three years ; next came to Jefferson and bought out a 
half-interest in Jefferson Banner, and soon after became sole proprietor, and still continues in said capacity. 
Mr. C. is stnmgly Democratic in politics, and is well known among the press fraternity ; also has been 
prominently identified in the political affairs of the State. In 186t). he was Assistant Sergeaut-at-Arms 
in the State Assembly. His was the first n.'wspaper in the West to present Tilden's name as candidate in 
1876 ; Mr. C. was Delegate to the National Convention that nominated Tilden, and labored with telling 
effect for his election both with his " pen and press," as well as " on the stump." Married Miss Nancy 
T. Popple Dec. 7, 1853; she was born May 'Z'l, 1833; there are three children — Ella E., born Oct. 1, 
1854; Francis W., Jan. 31, I860 ; Charles M., March 28, 1862; these sons are in the printing business 
with their father; Mr. C.'s first wife died Oct. 26, 1871 ; he next married Mrs. Charlotte A. Moore for 
second wife May 1. 1878; she was born May 20, 1838. 

SHERWOOD CHASE, hand-turner of wood, with Wisconsin Manufacturing Co., Jeffer- 
son ; was born in Chenango Co., N. Y., town of Ncjrth Norwich, .\ug. 18, 1843. Enlisted in August, 
1862, in Co. A, Ist Wis. Heavy Artillery, and was stationed in the fortifications in the defense of W;»sh- 
ington ; mustered out in July, 1865. He came to Palmyra, Wis., in 1854; removed to Rome in 1859, 
and settled in Jefferson in 1866, in present business. Married Miss M. M. Ho.'-kins April 7, 1867; she 
was born Sept. 27, 1849; they have three children— Bertha, born Feb. 3,1871; Roy D., Sept. 26, 
1872, and Thaddeus, July 26, 1877. Mr. C. is a Mason. Family are Methodists. 

JOHN CHITTENDEN, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. O. Jefferson ; was born in Kent, England,Aug. 
23, 1818; came to America in 1852, and to Jefferson in 1853. He married Mrs. Lucy Gilman June 2, 
18()2. Mr. C. adopted one child named Emma, who married a Mr. Toplin ; they now reside in Dutchess 
Co., N. Y. Mrs. Chittenden was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Sept. 1, 1815. Mr. Chittenden's farm 
contains forty acres. 

R. W. CIjARK, dry goods and groceries, Jefferson ; born in Levant, Me., Nov. 14, 1808 ; 
came to Jefferson in 1S57 and connected himself with the Wisconsin Manufacturing Company and was 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 641 

Presidi'iit of the same, and still has stock in it; commenced in mercantile business in 1S7-1-. Married 
Miss Riiiida Sinclair. Mr. C. is a Universalist. 

HENRY COIjONIUS, County Judge of Jefferson Co., Jeiferson ; was born in Waechter.?- 
bach, (iermany, March 12, 1831 ; was educated at Academic Gymnasium, in Hanan, and at Buedingen, 
Germany ; finished course in Primus Class in lull preparation for the University ; came to America in 
1S49 and was for eight years engaged in manufacturing cigars in New York City ; in 1858-59, edited 
the Virijinia Staotsztitung, at Wheeling, Va.; was in the commission business in Watertown, Wis., for 
a time; came to Jeiferson in 18(J2. In 1870, was elected Register of Deeds, which oflfice he held for two 
terms; served as Town Clerk in IS75-76. Married Catherine Limper May 25, lS6ti ; she was born in 
Buediniren, Germany, Feb. 5, 1849. Mr. C. belonus to the Odd Fellows. 

K'|>WARD COPELAND, farmer. Sec. 10; P.O.Jefferson; born in West Bridgewater, 
Plymiiuth Co., Mass., Jan. 26, 1825 ; came West in 1848 and bought present place; went to California in 
1850, returning the .spring of 1855. He has been Village Trustee three or four years; was Chairman of 
the Town Board of Supervisors three years, and member of Side Board three years. Married Mrs. 
Adelaide (Garfield) Harvey, daughter of Rev. Garfield, of Jefferson, Feb. 24, 1862; she was born April 
29, 1832, in Barnard, Vt.; they have one child— Ethel, born Jan. 27, 1872. Mrs. C. has one child by 
her fir.-it husband — Kate A. Harvey, born Sept. 30, 1856. Mr. C. owns an eighty-acre farm. 

GEORGE COPELiAND, joint proprietor of the Jefferson Boot and Shoe Factory, Jefferson ; 
was born at West Bridgewater, Mass., Oct, 21, 1831, and was in the boot and shoe business here for two 
years; in 1868, the present factory was organized and Mr. C. has been connected with it ever since. He 
married Miss Sarali J. Paine Oct. 3, 1858 ; she was born in Winslow, Me., Jan. 10, 1830. They are of 
the Swedenborgian faith, 

THOMAS CONAN, merchant, Jefferson ; son of Daniel Conan, of this place ; came to 
Watertown with his parents in 1849 ; thence to Fox Lake, Dodge Co., Wis. Enlisted in Dodge Co. in 
November, 1861, in Co. A, 17th W, V. I., and belonged to the 2d Brigade, 3d Division of the 17th 
Army Corps ; was in all the skirmishes and battles of this division, from Sliiloh through the entire cam- 
paign of Sherman's march to the sea. Mr. C. first held the oflice of Second Sergeant, and in 1864, at 
Rome, Ga., was promoted to the office of Second Lieutenant, and afterward to First Lieutenant ; was then 
detached from the regiment and was a member of Brig. Gen. R. K, Scott's staff till the army reached 
Pocotaligo, S. C., where he was given command of Co. A, 17th W. V. I., which position he held till mus- 
tered out at Louisville, Ky., in July, 1865. He has been in the mercantile business in Jefferson since 
1867. Mr. C. was in the drug business in Jefferson one year before commencing in the mercantile trade. 
His ftither Daniel was one of the first men in the mercantile trade in Watertown, 

GEORGE B. CRIST, carpenter, Jeft'erson ; was born in Jefferson March 6, 1844; has been 
in present business since youth. Married Harriet C, Tillotson May 2, 1870; she was born Aug. 22, 
1845; they have two children — Marie Antoinette, born Jan. 4, 1874, and Adeline, Jan. 1, 1877. Mr. 
C. belongs to the Odd Follows; he enlisted, in December, 1861, in Co, D, 16th W. V. I., and mustered 
out July 12, 1865 ; was in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth, in the siege of Atlanta, and with Sherman 
all through his march to the sea. His father, George, is still living, and was one of the early settlers, 
coming to Jefferson in 1842, where he still resides. Mrs. Susannah R. Crist, mother of Geo. B,, died in 1856. 

EREO HANYl'S, night watcliman in Wisconsin Manufecturing Co.'s building, Jefferson; was 
born in La Fayette Co., Tenn., in 1845 ; he came to Wisconsin in June, 1864, and to Jeff'erson in 1867, 
and, for a time, ran the engine at the foundry till three years ago, when he engaged as watchman for the 
Wisconsin Manufacturing Co. 

E. G. OARIiING, deceased; came from the town of Berlin, Vt., in 1831, to Plainfield, 111., 
and served in the State militia about one year ; in 1832, went to Chicago and constructed the second frame 
building in Chicago, and, in 1833, built the first .stone house for John Kinzie ; then went to Milwaukee, 
and built the first stone house therein 1835; in 1836, he went to Bark River, now called Hebron, in 
Jefferson Co., Wis., when a company, called the Milwaukee & Rock River Claim Company, was organized 
in Milwaukee, in the year 1835, to take up land in Hebron, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson ; in 1835, he 
erected a dam across Bark River, at Hebron, and started a mill in 1836, under the supervision of Samuel 
Wales. In 1837, Mr. Darling built the first frame house in the county at Hebron ; in the fall of 1837, 
he built the first frame house in Jefferson, where he moved, with his half-brother, Alonzo, and two half- 
sisters, MelLssa and Marion Brown, and an adopted daughter of Eliada Brown. Mr. Darling's name is 
well graven upon the memory of Jefferson people as one of the early pioneers. 

JAMES ELLIOT, blacksmith, Jeffcnson ; was born in Merrimack Co.,N. H., March 12, 1837. 
Married Mary Ross May 24, 1863 ; she was born March 18, 1841. They are Baptists. Mr. E. enlisted 



642 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

April 7, 1865, in Co. B, 52d W. V. I., as Corporal in company; was mustered out in August, 1875. 
Father',-! name was Geor;;e. 

ADAM FANHOIiTS, liveryman, Jefferson ; came to Jefferson about 1855 ; was clerk in 
Jefferson House seven years and at Sawyer House three years ; Mr. F. was born in Prussia Jan. 10, 
1842, and came to America when quite young. Married Miss Sarah Wagner; there are three children — 
Joseph, Ellen and Lizzie, aged 10, 8 and 6 years, respectively. People belong to Catholic Church. Mr. 
F. has been in the livery business fur twelve years. 

C D. FOX, foreman in cutting-room of boot and shoe factory, Jefferson ; was born in Windsor, 
Conn., Aug. 5, 1851, and has been in present business since 1869; came to Jefferson in 1852. Married 
Su^an Beardsley, in Sparta, Wis, Dec. 25, 1871 ; she was born July 20, 1852; they have two children 
—Pearl, born Nov. 8, 1872, and Leonore, Aug. 30, 1874. 

ADAM (irRIMM, deceased ; born at Hohlenbrun, near Wunsiedel, Bavaria, May 25, 1824, 
died in Jefferson, Wis., April 10, 1876. Having received a good education, he entered the office of 
Justice Wachtel, of Wunsiedel, whom, after serving faithfully for several years, he left to take the position 
of head clerk under Lawyer Vogel, of the same place ; he occupied this position for about nine years. In 
1849, he married Miss Anna M. Thoma, born Oct. 29, 1829, at Grafcnreuth, near Wunsiedel, Bavaria, 
and emigrated to the United States the same year. They settled in Jefferson, Wis., and for years lived 
the hard life of a Western pioneer, farming, nursery and the bee business being his chief pursuits; in 
1861, he started a general grocery and dry-goods store in Jefferson ; sold out in 1865 and devoted his 
time during the summer months to the bee business, and, during the winter, to buying wood for the C, 
& N.-W. Ry. Co ; Aug. 17, 1867, he started for Italy to import to this country the Italian species of 
bees ; from that time dated his success in the bee business, and soon he became known as one of the 
greatest and most successful apiarists of the country; at the time of his death, he had on hand 1,397 
colonies of bees; in 187,-!, he erected a bank building in the city of Jefferson and formed a stockholder 
bank, bearing the name of " The Farmers" & Merchants' Bank of Jefferson," and, next year, 1874, he 
started the Green Bay Savings Bank in Green Bay, Wis. : in the former he occupied the position of 
cashier to the time of his death. He left surviving his wife and all his children, whose births date as fol- 
lows : Anna B,, born Jan. 22,1850 (married C. F. Bullwinkel, of Jefferson ) ; Margaretha, Dec. 10, 
1851 (married C. Kueslermann, of Green Bay); Katharina, Feb. 6, 1854 (married H. Gieseler, of Green 
Bay); f]lizaboth, born April 18, 1857 (married George J, Kispert, of Jefferson), and George, born Sept. 
11, 1859, and still residing in Jefferson; he received a good common-school education, and, at the time of 
his father's death, was attending the Jefferson Liberal Institute ; he left his studies to undertake the man- 
agement of the extensive bee business, which liis father left; selling out most of the old stock, he started 
in anew, and his apiaries now number nearly seven hundred colonies; during the winter of 1876, he 
attended the Northwestern University of Watcrtown, Wis., and, in 1877, entered the Law School of Mich- 
igan University, where he graduated March 26, 1879 ; he is also engaged extensively in farming near 
Jamestown, Dakota, where he has about five hundred acres under cultivation. 

CHRISTOPHKR CrRIMM, merchant and apiarist, Jeffer.son ; was born in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, March 18, 1828; came to America in 1846 ; resided in Terre Haute, Ind., till coming to Jefferson ; 
has traveled through nearly all the Stati'S of the Union and visited most of the larger cities ; came to 
Jefferson in 1865 and bought out W. Hillier's store and established in mercantile business; in 1869, 
began in the bee business, also, and now has about five hundred swarms on farm near by and at other 
points. Mr. G. has been President of Village Board three terms, was appointed Commissioner of Public 
Debt, elected member of County Board of Supervisors and is now .Tustice of the Peace. .Married Caro- 
line Wahler March 4, 1851 ; she was born in Wittenburg, Germany, May 22, lS25; they have six chil- 
dren — Caroline, Emma, Otto, Menie, Thomas and Matilda, aged 25, 21, 20, 18, 16 and 13 years, respec- 
tively. Mr. G.'s family are Lutherans. He is a Mason. 

JOHN HACHTEL, flirmer. Sec. 13; P. 0. Helenville ; born in Wurtemberg in 1827; came 
to America in 1854 and remained one year in Phil idelphia, Penn. ; he then settled in Helenville; he 
spent a short time in Kansas and settled on the farm he now owns of 140 acres in 1859. Married Miss 
Catherine Lutz in 1855, who died in September, same year, leaving one daughter — Louisa. He married 
Miss Klizabeth Holzworth in 1859 ; they have eight children — George, Caroline, John, Charles, William, 
Mary, Andrew and Henry. Mr. Haohtel is a Democrat. The family are Lutherans, He is raising cattle 
and has seventeen head, also has twenty-four sheep, fifteen hogs and a pair of horses, having just sold a 
good team, 

DANIBLi HAKE, Jr., farmer. Sec. 26 ; P, 0, Jefferson ; born in Pennsylvania in Decem- 
ber, 1822, and settled on present place in 1843, Married Caroline Hobler July 15, 1849 ; she was born 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 643 

June 28, 1831 ; they have had eif^ht- children, five living — Aaron, born Nov. 29, 1860; George, Feb. 2, 
1852 ; Darwin, Feb. 29, 1863 : Edward, Nov. 5, 1866 ; Cornelia, Dec. 22, 1854 ; Joseph, June 8, 1850 ; 
La Fayette, Dec. 22, 1855; Ellen, Nov. 16, 1854, People belong to Evangelical Association. Mr. H. 
has 170 acres in farm. Joseph, La Fayette and Ellen are dead. 

(wEORdrE HAKE, farmer. Sec. 27; P. O.Jefferson; was born in Penn.«ylvania Jan. 27, 
1822. Married Miss Sarah Hake Aug. 10, 1843; she was born May 16, 1825; they have eight chil- 
dren— Kasie, born July 27, 1844 ; Jacob, April 6, 1847 ; Sarah Ann, Jan. 27, 1849 ; Eli, Dec. 28, 1851 ; 
Charles, April 15, 1854; Eliza, April 11, 1856; Nelson, Oct. 1, 1862; George, July 9, 1865. Family 
belong to Evangelical Association. Mr. H. ha.s 148 acres in the farm on which he settled in 1844. 

W. H. HAKE, County Clerk i.f Jeffersm Co., Jefferson ; was born in Warren Township, Trum- 
bull Co., Ohio, Sept. 5, 1840 ; came to Jefferson, Jefferson Co., with his parents, Eev. Emanuel Hake and 
Jane Elizabeth, in 1844 ; he attended the early schools of Jefferson, and, after receiving a common-school 
education, fillowod teaching for three years ; afterward attended the High School two years. Married 
Catharine Hake in Jefferson in 1866 ; she was born in the town of Warren, Trumbull Co., Ohio, January, 
1844, and came with her parents to Jefferson in 1852 ; there are four children — Etta Viola, Adda Vic- 
toria, Delbert Otis and Walter Scott, aged 12, 10, 7 and 2 years, respectively. Mr. H. belongs to the 
Evangelical Church, whereia he manifests a deep interest in the welfar; of the Church; is Secretary of 
the s pciety, and one of the trustees of church property. He was first elected County Clerk in 1874, 
which oflBce he lias held ever since, being twice re-elected; he is a member of the Board of Pjducation, 
and is also engaged in farming and mercantile business. Mr. H. is the oldest of the family; his brothers 
are D. A., Hiram, H. N., and si>ters are Martha A. and Minerva. 

HESfRY HAJ^KELL., farmer. Sec. 5; P. 0. Jefferson; born in Barnard, Windsor Co., Vt., 
Aug. 14, IS-'O ; came to Jefferson in 1848, and settled upon his present place of 170 acres, entering 
eighty acres from the Government. Married Miss May Chamberlain .Sept. 5, 1846 ; she was born June 
25, 1823; they have two children — Kate, born in Royalton, Vt., Oct. 31, 1847 (she is now Mrs. 
Stevens) ; Hannah, born in Jefferson Dec. 7, 1853. Mr. H. has belonged to the Odd Fellows since Feb- 
ruary, 1848; has been Supervisor five years, and Chairman of Board three years. Mr. H.'s father, 
Michael, was born in Barnard, Vt., Nov. 30, 1793, and is still living with his son Henry. Michael's 
father (Prince), Henry's grandfather, was one of the first settlers in Barnard, and surveyed that town 
nearly one hundred years ago; was also a Revolutionary soldier; he was one of four men captured by the 
Indians in Barnard, and confined in Montreal two years before being released. Mr. Henry Haskell has 
the finest collection of geological and archmological specimens in this section of country, and several rare 
curiosities, which have been gathered making Mr. H. and his specimens a valuable cyclopedia of Jefferson 
Co. geology and arch.'volosy. 

GEORGE HEID, farmer, Sees. 20 and 21 ; P. 0. Jefferson ; born in Frankfurt, Germany, Jan. 
9, 1829 ; came to America in 1849, and was in New York City one and a half years, and worked at black- 
smithing ; then came to Fort Atkinson, in 1 851 , and worked at same trade two years ; thence to Sumner, in 
same business thirteen years ; the question then rose in his mind whether he should be a farmer or blacksmith, 
but he decided the f|uestion in favor of the former; he sold some land which he then had, and came to his 
present location, and bought what was known as the old Barker and Waldo places ; he now has a fine fa'-m 
of 430 acres, and built the house and barn upon their present site ; he was the second German living in 
Port Atkinson when he settled there. He has been Supervisor in Sumner one year, and in Jefferson the 
past five years ; he has been a prominent member of the School Bjard, and was instrumental in building 
the present schoolhouse. Married Christiana Kurtz June 3, 1853 ; children — George, born Feb. 1, 1855, 
and married Peter Miller's daughter; the others are Jacob, John, Christian, Harriet Mine and Mary. 
Family are Lutherans. 

ORRIBi^ HENRY, farmer ; P. O. Jefferson ; is son of Elam Henry, and came to Jefferson in 
1842, and took up land from the Government; bought farm, on which he has now resided since 1855 ; 
there were 140 acres in the farm ; sold sixteen and a half acres to the Agricultural Society ; has a hop- 
yard on the place. He was born in Stockbridge, Madison Co., N. Y., Feb. 24, 1818. Married Harriet 
Patrick ; they have three children living^Adner L., Hattie M. and Adele. Mr. H. has been Alderman 
the past four years ; they are Universalists. 

YAIjE henry, cashier of Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, Jefferson ; was born in Stock- 
bridge, Madison Co., N. Y., Aug. 7, 1829, and came to the town of Jefferson with parents in 1844 ; his 
father was Elan Henry. Mr. H. was farming till 1851, when he, in company with his brothers (William 
and Orrin) opened a saw-mill. At the age of 22, he bought a farm upon which he still resides ; carried 
on the farm till 1865, then bought one of the elevators in Jefferson, and commenced buying grain ; after 



644 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

the first year, he took a partner and opened a lumber-yard in connection with the business till 18G8; ir> 
1852, he started a hop-yard upon his farm, which he still cultivates, and has, from 1862 up to present time, 
been more or less engaged in buying and selling hops, doing a very heavy business in 1867. In 1869, 
bought one-third interest in flouring mill, and sold the same at the end of one year and a half. In 1873, 
in company with Adam Grimm, he arranged for the present bank ; in February, 1874, Mr. H. was elected 
its first President, and held position till death of e<xshier, Jlr. Grimm, when he was elected to fill vacancy. 

Married Miss Saiah E. , for first wife, in 1851 ; had eight children, six are living — Eola, Edgar C)., 

Fred, William, Ellis and George, aged 25, 22, 20, 17, 13 and 11 years, respectively. First wife died in 
1873. He married Miss Dorcey lugamells in 1875; she was born in England in 1842. Mr. H. is of 
the Universalist faith. 

JOHIV HKIlflEIj, proprietor of tannery, Jefferson ; was born in Erbendorf. Bavaria, Germany, 
Aug. 16, 1829 ; came to America in 1858, and stopped at Wheeling, W. Va., and worked in tannery five 
and a half years; came to Jefferson in 1863. Married Miss Fredricka Artzberger in 1858; they have' 
had ten children, eight living ( two died in WHieeling) ; Fred, Caroline, Charles, John, Amelia, Otto, Julius, 
Ferdinand, Lewis, Eddie ; Caroline and Fred deceased ; the others are aged 19, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4 years, 
and 3 months, respectively. Mr. H. is an Odd Fellow. 

ERASTl' S HILiDlAIV, shoemaker in Jefferson Shoe Factory ; was born in Ea.st Brookfield, 
Mass., March 19, 1841. Married Miss May Fuller Oct. 6, 1864 ; they have one child — Charles K.. 
born Aug. 19, 1874. Mr. H. enlisted June"21, 1861, in Co. F, 10th Mass. V. I., and was di-scharged 
Oct. 28, 1862. He has worked at his trade in Massachusetts most of the time, and came to Jefferson in 
1875. 

ANDREW HOFFMAN, farmer. Sec. 34; P. O. Rome; born in Wurtemberg July 18, 
1835; came to America in 1858, and settled on Turtle Prairie, Walworth Co., Wis.; after five years, he 
settled on the farm he now owns of 123 acres. He married Miss Rosamonda Glieman March 16, 1863; 
they have six children — John, George, Bertha, Mary, Edward and Charles. Mr. Hoffman is Independent 
in politics, voting for the best men. He is one of the successful farmers who began life in tlebt. He now 
owns a good farm well improved, and has earned it all himself. He is raising Durham grade cattle, and 
has 15 head, also has 85 sheep, 7 hogs and 6 good horses. 

F. E. IliljINO, City Clerk and joint proprietor of rope factory, Jefferson ; is a son of Thomas 
Illing, and was born in Bavaria, Germany, Jan. 21, 1846; came to America and immediately settled in- 
Jefferson, in the fall of 1858, where he has been ever since. He is a printer by trade, and has worked at 
the business fifteen years ; was five 3ears manager of the Jefferson Banner ; left the ofiice in 1875, and 
went into partnership with his father, in present business. He was elected City Clerk in 1874, which 
ofiice he still holds; has also been Deputy Clerk of Circuit Court since 1877. Married Miss Katharina 
Troeger; she was born Oct. 18, 1846; they have four children — Ferdinand, born Feb. U', 1869; Theo- 
dore, January 14, 1871 ; Matilda, June 16, 1875, and Freddie, Jr., January 14, 1879. Family are 
Lutherans. 

REV. M. J.' JOERGER^ Priest of St. John's Church, Jeflerson ; born in Willburgstetten, 
Bavaria, Germany, Oct. 12, 1842; came to America iu 1853 ; was educated at St. Francis' Seminary, near 
Milwaukee, where he graduated in 1865; was ordained at the same time. In 1871, Archbi.shop Spalding 
and Dr. Dubreul, Superior of Sulpicians, conferred upon him the degree of D. D., at St. Mary's Cjniver- 
siiy, Baltimore. Rev. Joerger has been in charge of churches in Fountain City and Plattville three years 
in all ; was at Waterford five years, and accepted a call to Jefferson in the fall of 1873. He has published 
a book of poems, entitled " Waldveilchen," also has composed several poems for celebrations and other 
special public occasions ; he is at present correspondent for the Baltimore Volkszeitung (^Gazette.). 

DAVID JOHNNON, partner with Mr. Wolf in fluuring mill. Jefferson ; was born in Fleet, 
England, July 31, 1830, and came to America in 1851. Married Miss Jane Little May 1, 1858; she 
was born June 26, 1831, in Cumberland, England; they have had three children, only one living— John 
W., was born Feb. 14, 1859, in Bureau, 111., and was educated at Cornell College. Family belong to the 
establi>h(Ml f'luirch of En<;land. 

THOMAS P. JOSEIN, carpenter, Jefferson ; born in Richmond, Chittenden Co., Vt., Oct. 
11, 1830 ; came to Hebron, Jefferson Co., in October, 1854, and to Jefferson in 1868. Married Dorcas 
Tenney Sept. 5, 1859; she was born May 12, 1842 ; they have two children — Clara, born April 5, 1860, 
and Maria, born Oct. 9, 1861. Mr. Joslin is an Odd Fellow; he enlisted March 24, 1861. in Co. E, 38th 
W^. V. I. ; w;is in the siege before Petersburg, Va., nine mouths ; he still carries a rebel bullet in his leg, 
which he received there, and was also wounded in the arm and breast at the same time ; he was discharged 
May 23, 1865. 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 645 

HENRY KELSEY, carpenter, Jefferson; born in Salisbury, Conn., Oct. 13, 1808; worked 
in Canandaigua, N. Y., ten years, and five years in Danville, Livingston Co., N. Y., and also in Ohio one 
year; came to Jefferson in October, 18^3. Married Jane Ann Brown, Feb. 13, 1837; she w.is born in 
Sodus, N. Y., Sept. 15, 1818; they have three children— Henry, born Feb. 13, 1838; Maryette (now 
Mrs. Winterlina;), born Oct. 6, 1839, and Francis, born June 14, 1842; both sons enlisted in 18(31, in 
the 2d Minn. V. I., and were all through the war. Henry was clerk for Gen. Thomas, and is now at 
Beaver Falls, Minn. Francis was Second Lieutenant of his company, and was wounded at the battle of Chick- 
amauga, after which he came back to Minnesota and recruited a company with which he went to the seat 
of war in North Carolina, and met Sherman on the day of Gen. Johnson's surrender. Francis is now in 
Detroit. 

OTTO J. KERSCHENSTEINER, Assistant Register of Deeds, Jefferson; was born in 
Jefferson March 21, 1861 ; was educated at Jefferson Liberal Institute. Mr. K's. father, John K., was 
born in Bavaria, Germany, Nov. 14, lS2t(; came to America in May, 1853, and settled in Jefferson ; died 
Aug. 1, 1879. His wife", Magdalena, mother of Otto, was born in Switzerland. There is one daughter. 
Bertha, sister of Otto, born May 9, 1857. 

ROBERT B. KIRKLAIVD, attorney at law, Jefferson; born March 8, 1849, in Glasgow, 
Scotland ; entered the English Navy in 18(52, and served nearly eight years ; came to America in the win- 
ter of' 1809, and to Jefferson in the spring of 1870 ; studied law with I. W. & G. W. Bird, and was 
admitted to the bar in February, 1875, and has been in practice in Jefferson ever since. Married Miss Ella 
Antoinette Bird, daughter of Judge Bird, April 13, 1873 ; she was born Oct. 25, 1854, in town of Aztalin ; 
they have two children — Ira Bird, born in St. Paul March 25, 1874, and Jessie Louise, born in Jefferson 
Jan. 12, 187(5. 

GrEOR<]rE KISPERT, boot and shoe store, and shoemaker, Jefferson ; was born in Bavaria, 
Germany, Oct. 30, 1831 ; came to America in 1853, and settL-d in Jefferson in 1855. Married Henrietta 
StreseOct. 11, 1857 ; she was born in Prussia April 3, 1828. Mr. K. is independent in his religious 
belief 

iirEORGE J. KISPERT, assistant cashier in Farmer's and Merchant's Bank, Jefferson ; 
was born in Jefferson Dec. 23, 1855 ; was educated at Jefferson Liberal Institute and the German Luth- 
eran School of this place. Married Miss Lizzie Grimm, daughter of Adam Grimm, May 1, 1879. Mr. 
K. has been connected with the bank ever since its organization in 1874, entering at first as paying teller 
and book-keeper. 

CHARLES F. KREBS, Clerk of Circuit Court, Jefferson ; was born in the Principality of 
Saxe, Weiningen, Germany, Sept. G, 1827 ; came to America in 1854 and to Fond du Lac in 1855, where 
he lived four years ; was in the retail grocery business there ; then went to Watertown and kept a sum- 
mer garden ; was in the wholesale and retail liquor trade and harness business, and also served as Justice 
of the Peace for about eleven years ; in 1865, was book-keeper for Charles Stoppenbach in Jefferson ; was 
in the life insurance business two years. Mr. K. served four years in the army while in Germany ; this 
army service was during the revolution and was against Denmark, in 1849. Married Eva Mosel Aug. 
29, 1S(;0; .she was born in the Province of the Rhine, Prussia, June 11, 1839; they had ten children; 
eight living; the oldest, Louise, born July 12, 1861 ; the others are Magdalena, Emily, Freddie, Charles 
Francis, Regina and Susan, aged 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6 and 2-2 years, respectively. 

EDWARD McMAHON, cashier of the Jefferson County Bank, Jefferson; was born in 
Canada, June 2, 1834, and came to Watertown, Jefferson Co., with his parents in 1849 ; he was with his 
father in the mercantile business till 1852; then went? to California, returning in 1855 to Madison, and 
was in the Comptroller's office, under J. C. Squireg^i 1859, when he came to Jefferson as cashier of the 
bank organized at that time with William M. Dennis as President. Thomas McMahon, father of Edward, 
was in the mercantile business in Watertown till his death in 1854. Edward M. has served as Deputy 
County Treasurer several years ; has also been Commissioner of the Public Debt fir Jefferson since 1867 ; 
was Alderman and President of the Council in 1878. Married JIary E. Dennis, daughter of William 
Dennis, May 20, 1861; she was born May 20, 1843; they have six children — Laura D.. William, 
Edward, Thomas, Charles and Mary, aged 16, 14, 11, 8, 5 and 3 years, respectively. Mr. M. belongs to 
the Catholic Church. 

CHRISTOPHER McXAMARA, Jr., shoemaker in the Jefferson Shoe Factory ; was 
born in Philadelphia, Penn., Feb. 3, 1846, and, when quite young, went to Massachusetts with parents ; 
was afterward for a short time in cotton factory, but spent most of his life at present business. His fither, 
Christopher, died in Bermuda in 1845. Mr. McNauiara, Jr., married Miss Mary Mahoney July 21, 1872 ; 
she was born March 17,1849; they have two children— Thomis F., born May 14, 1873, and Mary Ann, Aug. 



646 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

28, 1875. The family belong to the Catholic Church. Mr. McNamara enlisted in the Md Mass. X. C, Co. 
E,in January, 1803, and was mustered out in September, 1865. He was under Sheridan two years ; was 
with Banks' Red River expedition ; in Virginia, was at the battle of Winchester and several other battles. 

J. W. OSTRAXDER, President of Farmers' and Merchants' Bank, and Secretary of the 
Wisconsin Odd-Fellows' Mutual Life Insurance Co., Jefferson ; was born in the town of Clay, Onondaga 
Co., N. Y., July 20, 1825 ; came to Wisconsin with his parents and settled in Jefferson in 1842; at that 
time, there was but one frame house in the place ; for a few years, was clerk in the first store of general 
merchandi.se kept in the place. Married Miss Sarah E. Ward Sept. 16, 1846. Went to California in 
1851, and remained there two years ; returned to Jefferson ; buried his wife in 1854 ; she left one daugh- 
ter, Nettie, who married J. J. Post, and is now living in Washington Territory. Married Mrs. L. Poesons 
in 1855, and by her has had two children — Ellis and Nellie; Ellis died at the age of 21 ; Nellie is living 
at home, aged 14. Since 1857, he has for the most of the time been engaged in the manufacture of fur- 
niture, in which business he siill retains an interest. Mr. 0. started out in life as a Whig, aud has been a 
Republican since the org.inization of the party ; has always lived in a strong Democratic town and county, 
conse(|uently could not have been much of an oflSce-seeker, although he has served a.s Town Clerk, Assessor, 
County Surveyor, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, and has represented his district three times in the State 
Legislature. In 1847, he became associated with the Odd Fellows, and since that time has been an active 
member; represented his Lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State in 1851 ; in 1875, was elected Grand 
Master of the State, and served one year, to the satisfaction of the Brotherhood. A Universalist in faith, 
though he is always ready to aid in the support of the other denominations of the place. 

W. H. PORTER, lawyer, Jefferson ; born at Perrysburg, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Nov. 4, 
1837; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1845, and settled in York, Dane Co.; was admitted to 
practice at Jefferson in September, 1862; Dec. 22, 1862, came to Jefferson, and, Jan. 1, 1863, took 
charge of the office of Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, as Deputy, which office he occupied two years ; 
in November, 1864, was elected Clerk, and filled the office two years. In January, 1866, formed a part- 
nershij) with D. F. Weymouth, which was dissolved in the spring of 1872; in 1872, went to Iowa, and 
remained till January, 1874, and has practiced law at JeflTerson since that time. Held several minor offices in 
the town and city. Jan. 5, 1864, married Kate B. Montrose ; she was born in Jlichigan Aug. 13, 1843, 
and moved to Wisconsin with her parents in 1845 ; have three children — Clarence J., born Oct. 15, 1864; 
Frank ((., June 23, 1866; Walter D., Sept. 23, 1870. 

HENRY PUERXER, blacksmith, Jefferson; was born in Jefferson, Wis., Nov. 1, 1856. 
Married Miss Delia Keson May 13, 1879. He besan in present business in 1878. 

FATHER HEXRY REINHART, Priest of St. Lawrence Church ; P. 0. Jefferson ; 
was born in Altheim, Province of Rhine, Bavaria, Germany, Jan. 18, 1835 ; came to America Aug. 20, 
1846, and commenced studying at Buffalo, N. Y., with Jesuits, in 1857 ; came to St. Francis' Seminary, 
near Milwaukee, Sept. 20, 1859 ; completed the course of study there, and was ordained Nov. 5, 1865 ; 
then went to Eau Claire Mission, and had charge there till July, 1867 ; thence to St. Louis' Church, 
Caledonia, for one year and a half, and also had charge of the Holy Family Church at Oak Creek ; after 
one year and a half, removed to Brighton, remaining about one year and a half, in charge of St. Patrick's 
and St. John the Baptist's Churches ; thence to St. Francis' Seminary, as financier and disciplinarian of 
school, for two years; thence to Madison, Wis., till March, 1877, in charge of Holy Redeemer's Church 
there, when he came to Jeflferson, where he still remains. His father, Simon R., was born Feb. 2, 1801, 
and now lives in Buffalo, N. Y., in charge of St. Francis' Convent. The grandfather of Henry R. was 
born about 1772. 

JOHX REIXELi, Jr., lumber merchant, Jefferson ; came to Jefferson with his father, John 
R., Sr., and family, in 1846 ; his father bought a claim, upon which John, Jr., farmed for four or five 
years ; then was in a saw-mill fourteen years ; since then has been in present business of lumber trade ; he 
was born in Bavaria, Germany, Nov. 20, 1827 ; came to America in August, 1846. Married Miss Ele- 
nora Miller; they have had seven children, six living — Barbara, Lisette, George, Franklin, Edward and 
Bernhart ; Henry, the second child, is dead. Mr. R. has served several terms as Supervisor, Town Treas- 
urer and Alderman ; was elected Mayor of Jefferson in 1879 ; belongs to Lutheran Church. 

JOHN M. REUIj, wagon-maker, Jefferson ; born in Germany Nov. 18, 1845 ; came to America 
and direct to .Jefferson Co. in August, 1852. His father, George A., still lives on farm in Farmington. 
Mr. John >L married Mary Ann Halfmann in October, 1869; she was born May 10, 1853; they have 
had six children, four living — Charles, born April 16, 1871 ; Henrietta, April 2, 1874; Frankie, March 
16, 1876 ; Emil, May 22, 1877 ; Albert, a twin, was born at same time. Albert and another child, Eddie, 
are dead. Family belong to Lutheran Church. 



JEFFERSON TOWKSIIIP. 647 

D. RUTLiEDtlrE, Register of Deeds, Jefferson ; came to Ixonia, Jefferson Co., in 1848; took 
up land from State Government and farmed it for some time, then engaged in a general merchandise trade 
till elected Register of Deeds in 1876, in which office he is now serving for the second term ; he held the 
office of Town Superintendent of Schools about eight years, and was Town Clerk eight years. He is a 
member of St. Bernard's congregation of Watertown. His father, Patrick, died in Ixonia in 1851, and 
his mother, Mary, died in 1875. Mr. D. Rutledge had five children — Mary, born Feb. 22, 1869, died in 
March, 1871 ; Ca'liarine, born Sept. Kl, 1871 ; Thomas, Dec. IS, 1873; Mary Jane, April 15, 1876, 
and Anastatia, March 11, 1879. Mr. R. married Anna Statia April 18, 1868; she was born in New 
York July 4, 1847. 

LiKiVIS RYDER, joint proprietor in Jefferson Boot and Shoe Factory, Jefferson ; was born in 
West Bridgewater, Ma.ss., Jan. 19, 1834; has been in the boot and shoe business since youth; came to 
Jefferson in 1868, and began present business in partnership with Mr. Copeland. Married Catherine 
Cojieland April 27, 1854; she was boru in West Bridgewater, Mass., June 10, 1834; have had three 
children — Herbert K., Arthur H., Fred A. ; all are dead. People are Swedenborgians. 

W. VV. REED, physician, Jefferson; born Feb. 8, 1825, near Versailles, Ohio, of Irish par- 
entage ; remained at home on the farm of his nativity until 18 years of age ; after leaving the parental 
roof, was employed alternately in teaching and attending school for five years, the means acquired by the 
former vocation being his only resource for defraying the expenses attending the latter ; his academic 
studies were prosecuted in Piqua, and his professional studies in Cincinnati, Ohio; on completing his med- 
ical course, he removed to his present home in Jefl'ersor), Wis., in 1849, where he has since resided, 
engaged, with a few interruptions, in the practice of his profession. Has held various local offices such as 
School Director, Village Treasurer, County Supervisor and President of the Board of Trustees of Jeffer- 
son Liberal Institute ; has been Health Officer for the local boards for town, village and city of Jefferson 
for twenty-five years; has had medical charge of Jefferson Co. Poor House, with an average of twenty- 
five insane inmates, for nineteen years. Was appointed and served as Examining Surgeon for the first 
draft of the rebellion ; was commissioned by the Governor as Assistant Surgeon of Wisconsin volunteers; 
was appointed by the Commissioner of Pensions as Examining Surgeon for Pensions in 1864, and still 
continues to discharge the duties of that office ; was appointed by the Governor a member of the State 
B lard of Charities and Reform in 1874; re-appointed in 1876, and again in 1878, and still holds the 
position ; was a member of the Committee on Insanity for the Conference of Charities in 1877 and 187'"^, 
and on Public Buildings for the Dependent Classes in 1879. Was elected and served as a member of the 
Wisconsin Legislature in the Assembly during the sessions of 1862, 1866 and 1867, and in the Senate 
during the sessions of 1875, 1876, 1877 and 1878, and was a member of the Committee on Charitable 
and Penal Institutions during every .session. His specialty in legislation was to establish the proper rela- 
tions between the State and its criminal and dependent classes ; made speeches in the Legislature in favor 
of founding an institution for the education of feeble-minded children, for the abolition of time sentences 
to the State Prison, for making incurable insanity a cause for divorce, in favor of smaller and cheaper 
asylums for the insane, in favor of greater economy in public expenditures, in opposition to the constant 
tendency in legislation to multiply offices and increase salaries, in favor of every proposition to increase the 
educational facilities of the people. Was originally a Whig in politics ; after the Whig party became 
defunct, helped to organize and acted with the Republican party until 1872, when, as a Liberal Republi- 
can, supported Horace Greeley for President, and has since acted with the Democratic party. Was mar- 
ried to Mary McCabe in 1853, who died in 1861 ; was married again in 1863, to Helen M. Maryrord, 
his present wife ; has three children by first wife — one son and two daughters. 

ALjDEN SAJiBORBT, proprietor of news depot and general store, Jefferson; came to Jeffer- 
son with parents in fall of 1839; his father, William Sanborn, first came to Jefferson the previous year, 
and got out timber for what is now known as the Sawyer House, and returned back to Vermont for his 
family ; when he returned, he completed the hotel, which was the second frame house built here ; he 
located quite an extensive tract of land where a large part of East Jefferson now stands ; he built the 
original Court House and also the old block jail which now stands and is used for a barn ; he was exten- 
sively identified with the early history of the town, and held several public offices; in 1856, was County 
Treasurer; was a member of the State Legislature while iu Vermont ; he died April 27, 1876; was born 
Nov. 18, 1800; he had eleven children, eight are living — Emily, born Nov. 3, 1826 (now Mrs. Farnam, 
and lives in Clyde, Kan.); Caroline, March 4. 1832 (now Mrs. Chubbuck, lives in Warsaw, Wis. ) ; 
Alden, March 24, 183-1, at Wheelock, Vt. (now in the Post Office Building here) ; Roswell, July 19, 
1837 (was a member of the 3d Wis. Battery, and died in hospital at Nashville, Tenn. ) ; Anna J., March 
19, 1840 (was the first white girl born in Jefferson ; married Mr. Kennedy, and lives at Sac City, Iowa) ; 



648 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

George, March 1, 1842 fnow in Iowa); William, Sept. 11, 1844 (now in Clyde, Kan.); Mary, Jan. ~> 
1848, died April 7, 1858. Mr. Alden S. is a printer by trade; in 185(3, in company with C. E. Hoyti 
S'arted the Jefferson County RepMican at this place, in the intere.sts of Fremont, which suspended after 
the campaign ; he also, with Mr. Chubbuck, published The Genlral Wisconsin for two years at Warsaw. 
Married Mary JefFord June 11, 1862 ; she was born in London, England, Jan. 29, 1840 ; they have five 
children living — Mary, born May 9, 1863; Edwin J., April 6, 1865; Wilfred Alden, April 9, 1867 ; 
Charlies, July 19, 1875 ; Eola, Oct. 19, 1878 ; Naomi, June 14, 1871, died at 22 months of age. 

M. SAWYER, proprietor of the Sawyer House, Jefferson ; was born in Templeton, Mass., and 
cime to Ohio Iti his youth, and was general contractor on the Portsmouth & Cleveland Canal ; completed 
the first canal tunnel in the United States, on a canal between Pittsburgh and Blairsvilie ; built several sec- 
tions of the railroad, the lock, canal and aqueduct at Hollidaysburg ; also the railroad from here to the 
summit of the Alleghany Mountains ; then came to Ohio and built a section of the Sandy & Beaver Canal; 
then two or three sections on Cross-Cut Canal ; also, widened and deepened Cuyahoga River for one mile ; 
built seven locks between Cuyahogi Falls and Akron ; came West in the winter of 1841, and settled about 
three miles south of Jefferson ; moved into his present house in 1844, and opened it as a hotel in 1858, in 
which he still continues. Mr. S. built a saw-mill in Jefferson about 1846. In 1852, went to California, 
returning in September, 1862; has been Under Sheriff in Jefferson Co. Opened a general merchandise 
store in 1844, which he carried on for two or three years; then sold out and ran a saw-mill on the present 
site of the Woolen Mills till 1852. Married Miss Caroline Boyden Dee. 10, 1834; have had two chil- 
dren — William M. and Mattie, now Mrs. Pearsons, of Washington, D. C. 

JOHN G. SCHMIDT, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Jefferson ; born in Wittenburg, Germany, Oct. 
15, 1837 ; came from Germany direct to Jefferson in 1854, and settled upon his pre.sent farm of 155 acres 
iu 1872. Married Miss Elizabeth Lang Aug. 22, 1862; she was born in Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 29, 
1843 ; they have five children — Samuel, born March 27, 1869; Katie, Aug. 13, 1867 ; Maggie, Nov. 14, 
1872; Eddie, Jan. 21, 1876 ; Lillie, Nov. 21, 1877. Family belong to the Evangelical Association. Mr. 
Schmidt enlisted in 1862, in Co. F, 29th W. V. I. ; was ic the battle of Champion Hill, under Grant at 
Vicksburg, and with Banks on the Red River expedition ; also at the faking of Port Gibson ; he belonged 
to the 13th Army Corps, and was in thirteen battles in all, and was mustered out in July, 1865. 

HENRY^" SCHLEY, farmer. See. 29 ; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in New York Aug 17, 1845 ; 
moved with parents to Waukesha in 1849, and worked on a farm ; settled on present place in 1870 ; farm 
consists of fif'tj acres. Married Miss Mary Knoepfel March 7, 1870; she was born Feb. 8, 1845; they 
have lost one child. Mr. Schley's parents, Daniel and Barbara Schley, are living and reside in Waukesha. 

IWICHOIiAS SCHOTT, farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. O. Fort Atkin.son ; was born in Belgium Feb. 2, 
1816; came to America in 1844, and settled on present place in 1851. Married Miss Helen Voung Sept. 
20, 1849 ; she was born in France May 12, 1827, and came to America iu 1842 ; they have four children 
living — Jennie (now Mrs. Sontag), born July 20, 1850 ; Mary (now Mrs. Groble), Nov. 2, 1851 ; Lillie 
(now Mrs. Pinger), March 2, 1858, and Emma, Jan. 29, 1862 ; lost three children — John, Phronia and 
Frederick. Family belong to the Catholic Church. Mr. Schott has 200 acres of land. 

ERXEST SCHWELLENBACH, farmer. Sec. 12; P.O.Jefferson; born near Cologne, 
Germany, C)Lt. 15, 1832; came to Jefferson with his parents in 1847; his father, i^rncst, bought eighty 
acres of canal land, which is now held by his son, E., where he now re.sides. Mr. Schwellenbach married 
Miss Arabella Brenner Jan. 22, 1855 ; she was born in Ireland March 6, 1833, and died Feb. 20, 1876 ; 
there are six children — Ernest J.,, born June 22, 1857 ; Nellie, March 9, 1860 ; Frank, Sept. 1, 1861 ; 
Bell, Sept. 16, 1864; Henry, Aug. 12, 1868 ; Maggie, Aug. 6, 1873. Family are Catholic*. Mr. Schwel- 
lenbach has been Asses.sor seven years. Under Sheriff' and Jailer in 1869 and 1870, Sheriff in 1871 and 
1872, Deputy Sheriff in 1873 and 1874, Under Sheriff and Jailer in 1875 and 1876, Deputy Sheriff in 
1877 and 1878; has been Village Trustee two terms, and at present is Alderman of the Third Ward. 
His .son. Erne-it J., is now station au'cnt at Great D.tlrvraple Farm, Dakota, near Casselton. 

SEBASTIAN JOSEPH SCHWELLEXBACH, Clerk of County Court, Jefferson; 
was burn in Aztalan, Jefferson Co., Wis., April 5, 1858; is the son of Joseph Schwellenbach, and lived 
with his parents till 1875, then went to Menominee, Mich., as scaler in a saw-mill, for a time, after 
which he returned, and remained at hijme till Feb. 6, 1878, when he cime to Jefferson and entered 
upon the duties of his present position ; was educated at the home schools, aud at the German school of 
Jefferson. 

CARL SEIFERT, foreman in lower and second departments of Wisconsin Manufacturing 
Co., Jefferson; was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 9, 1831 ; came to America direct to Jefferson in 
1850. Married Margaret Zeither in October, 1854; they have had seven children, four living — Barbara, ■ 



I 




COUNTY CLERK 
JEFFERSON 



JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 651 

born Aug. .31, 1855; Frank, March 28, 1857; Emma, March 20, 1859, and Freddie, Sept. 18, 18(>8. 
Members Lutheran Church ; Mr. S. is an Odd Fellow. His father was Nickol Seifert. 

JAMES SHERMAN, joint proprietor of broom-factory, Jeiferson ; was born in Genesee (^o., 
N. Y., Aug. 28, 1829 ; came to Little Prairie, Walworth Co., Wis., in 184S, and settled on a farm there, 
where he lived till coming to Jeft'er.son in 1877 ; in 1878, in company with Mr. GiiFord, he established the 
present iaetory. Married Mary- A. Drake Jan. 1, 1850 ; they have two children — Ada M. and ftiarah M., 
now Mrs. Clemmuns. Mr. S. is a Good Templar. 

ADAMS SMITH, retired, Jefferson; born in Henderson, Jefferson Co., N. Y,, March 8, 1821; 
came to Farmington, Jefferson Co., Wis., in spring of 1844, and took up a claim, on which he lived until 

1807, when he removed to Jefferson, where he now resides. Married Miss Harriet Lewis Jan. 30, 1844; 
she was born in Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y., Feb. 29, 1824. Mr. S. is an Odd Fellow ; he has held 
the offices, in Farmington, of Street Commissioner and Town Treasurer; he has also been a member of the 
Village Board in Jefferson ; was Postmaster at Farmington seven years. They have one adopted son — 
George L., born March 12, 1855, in Jefferson Co., N. Y. ; he graduated at Rush Medical College, Chi- 
cago.'in 1879. Married Miss Ella M. Conan May 14, 1879. 

JOHN J. SPAIVGLER, bricklayer, Jefferson ; born in Farmington, Jefferson Co., Sept. 18, 
1854; has been in present business tlie past twelve years. His fivther, Joseph, was born in Bavaria, Ger- 
many, Oct. 12, 1818; came to America in 1848, and settled in Jefferson in 1851. His mother's name is 
Theresa Spangler. John S. was appointed Deputy Sheriff" under Mr. Brown, in January, 1879; he 
belongs to the Catholic (.'hurch. He has two brothers — Joseph G. and Goodhardt. 

NICHOLAS STEINAKER, attorney, Jefferson ; born in Germany Feb. 7, 1843; came to 
America in 1853, and, for a time, worked at coopering; wa.s admitted to the bar in Jefferson in February, 

1808, and has been iu practice ever since; in 1802, was elected District Attorney in Jefferson Co., and 
served one term ; was also Town Clerk five years and City Clerk four years. Married Miss Kate A. Zim- 
merman Aug. 23, 1805 ; they have had ibur children, two living — Laura K., born July 9, 1808, and 
Mary K., Apiil 17, 1877 ; Edward and Mary A. died. Mr. S. is an Odd Fellow, and served one term as 
Past" Grand. 

S. R. STEVENS, farmer, Sec. 15 and 22; P. 0. Jefferson; came to Jeffer.'ion June 13, 
1837, and made a claim one-half mile from the city, now known as the Schwellenbach tarm ; came to 
present location in 1839, where he has since resided ; in 1849, went to California with others, being gone 
onf year. Married Mi.ss Adeline Jackson Feb. 15, 1842,; she was born April 12, 1821 ; they have had 
eight children ; four livinu' — Jerome, born Feb. 19, 1843; William H., March 17, 1845; George, Aug. 
12, 1852; Charles H., July 14, 185G; Maryette, Oct. 18, 1845, died July 18, 1805; Frank, July 10, 
1847, died Sept 20, 1852; Ann Eliza, Oct. 12, 1849, died May 2, 1850; one other child, not named. 
Maryette married James Borrett ; they had one child — Merritt, born July 11, 1800. Mr. Stevens was 
born in the town of Brutus, N. Y. 

CHARLES STOPPENBACH, President of Jefferson County Bank, Jefferson ; was born 
in Cologne, Germany, Dec. 11, 1824, and came to America in 1848. Married Catherine Bruckner in 
April, 1854; she was born in Bavaria, Germany ; they have five sons — Frank, Emil, Joseph, Freddie 
and Eddie, aged 21, 19, 17, 13 and 7 years, respectively. Mr. S. first came to Jefferson Co. in 1849; 
spent two years in Watertown ; then .settled in Jefferson in 1851. Was elected first President of Jeffer- 
son County Bank, which oifiee he still holds ; from 1851 to 1855, was Deputy Register of Deeds, and 
was afterward twice elected Register of Deeds. Mr. S. was proprietor of a saw-mill iu Jefferson eight or 
nine years ; the woolen-mills were started in 1805, of which Mr. S. is now sole proprietor ; he is a partner 
with Mr. Reinel in a large lumber-yard ; he also owns quite extensive interests in real estate outside the 
city, as well as city property, including several fine buildings, several stores, Stopponbach's Hall and 
others. 

F. O. TIliTON, furniture dealer and undertaker, Jefferson ; was born in Kenduskeag, Me., 
Dec. 22, 1850 ; was educated at the High School of his native place and at the Jefferson liiberal Insti- 
tute. He came to Jefferson in 1874, and was in the insurance business in partnership with J. W. Ostrand ; 
about one year ago, he bought out his brother J. C., and still continues in the furniture business and 
makes a specialty of practical undertaking. Mr. F. 0. and his brother, J. C, are the only ones living of 
four children. Their father, J. 0. Tilton, died in the .spring of 1805, and their mother, Ann F., died in 
January, 1873. ^ 

CHRISTOPHER TROEGER, joint proprietor of tannery, Jefferson; was born in 
Bavaria, Germany, Dec. 19, 1823; came to America, direct to Jefferson, in 1846. Married Barbara 
Benfang in October, 1845 ; she was born Nov. 21, 1821 ; they had ten children ; nine living — -Kate, born 



652 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Oct. 18, 1845, now Mrs. lUing ; Margaret, now Mrs. Regr, Dec. 10. 1847; Christiana, now Mrs. Zeid- 
ler, July 9, 1850; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Bairenther, March 17, 1852; Laura, Dec. 31, 1853, now Mrs. 
Christopher Bairenther; John, April 29, 1856, is now dead; George, March 5. 1858; Barbara, Oct. 18, 
1859; Caroline, Dec. 22. 1861, and Ida. Sept 6, 1866. Family belong to the Lutheran Church. Mr. 
Troeger came to Jefferson and took up land in 1846 about one mile from the city, which land he still 
owns. He began io present bu.siness in 1876. 

GEORGE TRl'CKS, Overseer of Poor House ; P. 0. Jefferson ; was born in Richland Co., 
Ohio, Oct. 9, 1S16 ; came to Jefferson in 1844, and started the first tin store here in the fall of ^ame 
year, which he continued till about 1847 ; then ran a saw-mill three years, during which time he served 
two years as Justice of the Peace; next went to the town of Hebron, now Bark River Mills, and started 
a store, remaining there four years, when he returned to Jefferson and kept store two years; then sold to 
Mr. Ostrander ; at this time was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for one term ; was Post- 
master at Hebron four years, and at Jefferson two or three years; in 1860. was elected Overseer of Poor 
and Keeper of the County House, serving thus three years ; next ran a furniture store two years ; next 
was foreman in Wisconsin Manufacturing Company six years, and ju.st previous to this was elected Sheriff 
for two years : in January, 1874, was again elected Overseer of Poor and Superintendent of County House, 
which position he still holds; was Town Treasurer one term in Hebron and one term in Jefferson. Mar- 
ried Miss Samantha Clothier March 2, 1842 ; she was born May 15, 1822; they have had five children, 
two living— Frank, born Nov. 16, 1858; George, Aug. 1, 1852; Nellie, Oct. 2, 1846, died May 3, 1874; 
Artemus, born June 9, 1845, died Jan. 2, 1861 ; fifth child, not named. Mrs. Truck's brother, Samuel 
Clothier, helped frame the first State Constitution. 

EDWARD IJGIiOW, farmer. Sees. 7 and 18; P. O. Jefferson; born in Cornwall Co., 
England, June 19, 1827; came to America about 1847 ; thence to Jefferson Co , and settled upon present 
place in 1850. Married Miss Emma Fox Feb. 20, 1859; she was born in England in April, 1840; they 
have four children — Francis, born Oct. 22, 1859 ; Agnes, December, 1861 ; John, March 19, 1870, and 
Minnie, July 20, 1874. Familv attend the Methodist Church. 

A. J. VANDWATER, Marshal of Jefferson ; was born in Wayne Co., N. Y., July 9, 1837 ; 
came to the town of Hebron, Jefferson Co., Wisconsin, with his parents, in 1838; his father, John, took 
up land from the Government, and died in 1872; his mother, Catherine, is still living in Hebron. Mr. 
A. J. has followed mechanical and engineering business most of his life ; worked four years as foreman in 
the turning- room of the Wisconsin Manufacturing Company ; has been engineer in the Fire Department 
the past eight years; was elected City Marshal in 1874, and has held the office ever since. Married his 
first wife Sept. 15, 1861, by whom he had two children — Willie and Frank, aged 14 and 11 years, respect- 
ively ; first wife died in 1872; for second wife, married Miss Emiline Baldwin, Nov. 14, 1874, by whom 
he has one child — Emiline, born Jan. 19, 1869. Mr. V. has been Constable several terms, and is an Odd 
Fellow. 

PHILIPP WOliF, joint proprietor of Jefferson Flouring-Mills, Jefferson ; was born in Alsace, 
France, April 15, 1825 ; came to America in 1841; farmed in early life; then followed the milling busi- 
ness. Married Miss M. B. Wcndling in 1859 ; they have four children — William G.. Charles M., Orrin 
P. and Edwin Eugene, aged 27, 21, 15 and 12 years, respectively. Mr. W. has been in the milling busi- 
ness about fifteen years ; came to Jefferson in 1869. He belongs to the Evancelical Association ; also to 
the Odd Fellows. 

JOHN ZEIDLER, Jr., shoemaker, Jefferson ; born in Jefferson, three miles southeast of 
the city, Sept. 30, 1848; farmed till 15 years of age ; then served apprenticeship at trade three years, and 
has since been engaged in present business. Married Miss Christiana Troeger Feb. 24, 1870 ; she was 
born July 9, 1850; they have throe children — Edward, born Jan. 24, 1871 ; Ernest, .Alarch, 1873, and 
George, Dec. 18, 1877. The family belong to the Lutheran Church. His father, John Adam Z., came 
to Jefferson in 1846, and bought a farm near Jefferson ; he was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 9, 1815. 
and died July 13, 1871. He helped build the first log schoolhouse in this vicinity, and also helped cut the 
first road from his place to Rock River. His wife, Catharine Zeidler, was born in Bavaria in 1826, and 
died in 1868; they had four children — John; Charles, born Feb. 28, 1850 ; Christiana. June 7, 1854, 
and Mary, Feb. 25, 1859. 



PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 653 



PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 

CiiEORGE W. ALLEIV, farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Livingston Co., N. Y., 
Aug. 19, IS'I'J, ; lie came to Wisconsin in 1812, locating on the farm he now owns of eighty acres, which 
he bought of the Government at $1.25 per acre, when there were no families between Little Prairie and 
Palmyra except his own. He married Miss Margaret Jones May IS, 1844, who died Aug. 17, 1869, leav- 
ing three children — -Romanzo, Lucina and Willie. Mr. Allen is a Republican in politics ; has been Super- 
visor of the town twice. He is liberal in religion. Mr. Allen enlisted, Sept. 9, 1864, in the 42d W. V. 
L ; the regiment did guard duty, and was stationed at Cairo, 111., and other points. Mr. Allen served till 
the close of the war, and says he would go again, if necessary. He is one of the first settlers in his section 
of Wisconsin. 

JAMES A. AliTiEN^, lawyer and insurance agent. Palmyra; born in York, Livingston Co., 
N. Y., May 9, 1824; spent the early part of his life in New York, where he was educated, and where he 
learned the harne.ss-making business ; came to Palmyra in 1844, where he carried on the harness-making 
business eighteen years. He affiliates with the Democratic party, and was elected Justice of the Peace in 
1849. and has held the office continuously since — a thirty years' term, or longer, it is supposed, than any 
man in the State ; has also been Chairman of Town Board, Town Supervisor, Town Clerk and Constable. 
Was appointed Chief Doorkeeper in Wisconsin Assembly in 1878. Mr. Allen is a Master Mason, a mem- 
ber of Palmyra Lodge, No. 68. He married Miss Augusta Jones, of Erie Co., N. Y., in 1847, who died 
in 1870, leaving four children — Mendana (now deceased), J. Edgar, Willis A. and Leona. Mr. Allen 
married Mrs. Caroline Adams, of New York City, in 1871. As will be seen, Mr. A. is prominently iden- 
tified with the hi.story of Palmyra. 

PHILIPP AiSTWEILER, farmer. Sees. 31 and 33; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Germany 
Aug. 15, 1836; eame to America in July, 1855, locating in Jefferson Co., where he has since lived; set- 
tled on the farm he now owns of 140 acres in 1871. He married Miss Marietta Bradway, daughter of 
Timothy Bradway, of New York, Dec. 27, 1859; they have four children — John H., Charles J., Willie 
E. and Mary E. Mr. A. is a Republican, and the family attend the M. E. Church. Mr. Antweiler 
enlisted in the 42d W. V. I. in 1864; the regiment was stationed at Cairo, 111., and did guard duty 
at various points until its disehariie in 1865. 

WILLIAM W. BABCOCK, farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Scott, Cortland 
Co., N. Y:, Jan. 15, 1830 ; came to Palmyra in 1847, locating on the farm he now owns of 160 acres in 
1865. He married Miss Betsy Chapin, of Palmyra, April 18, 1854; they have three children — Ella D., 
Leora J. and Stella. Mr. Babcock is a Republican. He united with the Palmyi'a Baptist Church in 
1854, and is now Deacon; is also one of the oldest members. He is a successful farmer, and is raising 
cattle, sheep, and full-blooded Poland-China hogs from Fowler's herd, Heart Prairie. His nephew, 
Charles J. NeflF, enlisted in the 37th W. V. I. in May, 1864, and was killed at Petersburg, Va., July 30, 
1864. 

ARTHUR BEAMISH, farmer, Sees. 15 and 16 ; P. 0. Palmyra ; born in County Cork, 
Ireland, in 1831 ; the early part of his life was spent in Ireland; came to America in 1850, and located in 
Whitewater, Wis. ; removed to Palmyra in 1852, and to the farm he now owns of 240 acres in 1856. Mr. 
Beamish has twice been to Ireland since his settlement in the United States. He married Elizabeth 
McCarthy Nov. 14, 1852. He is a Republican, and Master Mason, and is now Senior Warden in Pal- 
myra Lodsie. No. 68. Is liberal in religion. Has served two terms as Supervisor in Palmyra. 

LIXDSEY M. BIGELO'W, barber. Palmyra; born in Reading, Windsor Co., Vt., Aug. 
28, 1841; eame to Wisconsin Dec. 1, 1857; lived three years at Little Prairie; removed to Heart 
Prairie and lived one year; he then went to Ogle Co., 111., and taught school. Returning to Palmyra, he 
enlisted in March, 1864, in the 38th W. V. I.; while attempting the arrest of some deserters, he was 
struck on the head with an ax and badly hurt, but did some service, and was in the grand reconnaisance at 
Hatehie's Run ; he was sent to the hospital in consequence of the old wound, and honorably discharged 
Dec. 31, 1864 ; returning to Palmyra, he engaged in his present business in May, 1865 ; after three years, 
he removed to Rome, Jeffijrson Co., where he was in the hardware business about one year; he then 
bought his present property in Palmyra, where he has since resided. Mr. Bigelow married Miss Jennie 
S. Barron July 5, 1862; they have four children — Herbert M., Mary E., Irwin L. and Leon B. Mr. B. 



654 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

is a Republican, and has served as Justice of the Peace for the past eight years; is also Secretary of the 
village Republican Club. 

JAMES M. BI^CwHAM, attorney and counselor at law, Chippewa Falls; born in the tow 
of Perry, Wyiiming Co., X. Y.. Feb. 3, 1828; his parents were farmers and members of the Congrega- 
tional Church, in which faith their son was reared ; he attended common schools until l(j, then attended 
an academy about four years, and began teaching ; taught eleven terms in schools and academies, mean- 
while pursuing the study of Latin and French. Gov. Bingham read law in the office of F. R. Bissell, 
Le Roy, N. Y. ; came to Palmyra, JeflFerson Co., Wis., in 1854; began to practice law in 185G, has prac- 
ticed ever since. While a resident of Jefferson Co., he represented the District in the State Assembly in 
1863, 1864, 1869 and 1870; was Speaker in 1870, and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee in 1863 
and 1869. He was Major of the 40th W. V. I. Regiment, and was stationed at Memphis during term of 
Service — 100 days; removed to Chippewa Falls in 1871, where he has since resided and practiced. Was 
elected to Wisconsin A.«sembly from his (then Democratic) county in 1874 ; was nominated and elected 
Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin by the Republicans in 1877. On account of rheumatic troubles the 
Governor made a two-months visit to Hot Springi, Ark., and was completely cured during his first term. 
The Republican State Convention of July, 1879, renominated him for Lieutenant Governor. He married, 
in 1856, Miss Justina M., daughter of W. C. Dwight. M. D., of Moscow. N. Y. ; they have three chil- 
dren— Clitiord D., Walter P. and Katheriue O. ' 

WILLIAM J. BRAY, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Cornwall, England, Aug. 

15, 1846 ; came to America with his parents, Stephen and Ann Bray, in 1848, locating in Sullivan, where 
they resided three years ; removed in 1852, to Palmyra, where Mr. Bray settled on the farm he now owns 
of 220 acres. He married Miss Maria J. Dodge May 13, 1869 ; they have three children — Lena J., 
Alvin J. and Luolla. Mr. Bray is a Republican, and has been several years an officer of School District 
No. 2. He is in accord with the B. C. Church. He is raising the usual stock and crops of Jefferson Co. 

WILLIAM BRADW AY, farmer, miller and wagon-maker, Sees. 32, 33, 34 and 6 ; P. 
O. Palmyra ; born in Schoharie Co , X. Y., Sept. 5, 1819 ; came to Wisconsin in 1846 ; lived one year in 
Delavan, Wis., and located in Palmyra in 1847, where he manuftictured wagons about three years, when 
he located on the farm he now owns of 220 acres. Married Mrs. Klizabeth Foote Dec. 16, 1868. His 
son John is in Ossiau, Iowa, and his son James is a resident of Palmyra ; Abel Bradway, his oldest son, 
served one year as First Lieutenant in Co. E, 46th W. V. I., and died Dec. 26, 1866, in Palmyra. Mr. 
Bradway is a stanch Republican, and, with his wife, attends the Palmyra Baptist Church ; Mr. B. is one 
of the successful pioneers of Jefferson Co., who had but little or no means to start in life, and who have 
succeeded by industry and prudence ; he has a feed and cider mill on his farm, run by water from a large 
spring on the farm. 

WILLIAM F. BRO WX, miller and engineer, Palmyra ; born in Fifeshire, Scotland, Nov. 

16, 1819 ; the early part of his life was spent in Scotland, where he served a five-years apprenticeship as 
engineer in Glasgow; he was engineer of the ship Monarch at the age of 17 ; he came to America in 
1844, locating on Rock Prairie, Wis. ; from there he went to Manistee, Mich., and put in the machinery 
for the first steam saw-mill in the city ; returning to Milwaukee, he was employed by Goodrich & Eastman 
to reconstruct their engine in the flouring-mill on Walker's Point ; his success here established his reputa- 
tion as a practical engineer. He remained in the employ of this farm thirteen years, and was promoted to 
head miller in Ottawa, III. ; with his savings bought an engine and a third interest in the mill at Oak 
Creek, Wis. ; after five years, he purchased the flouiing-mill at Palmyra, and paid for it in two years ; by 
application to his business he won the confidence of the surrounding community, and, after eight years, sold 
out his mill and settled in the village to enjoy his competence. He married Miss Philadelphia DIbley. of 
Milwaukee, Dec. 24, 1848; they have seven chUdren — Agnes T., Mary A., Emma D., Anna S., William 
J., Florence N. and Robert W. The family attend the Congregational Church. Mr. Brown is a Repub- 
lican. 

H, F. BUEJflXG, saddler and harness-maker. Palmyra ; born in Milwaukee, Wis., Dec. 7, 
1851 ; removed to Whitewater, Wis., in 1864, where he learned his business in the shop of J. Haubert; 
Mr. B. came to Palmyra and bought the shop, etc., of V. H. Bundle, where he is now doing all the bus- 
iness of the kind in Palmyra. He married Sliss Hattie Rumary, of Fort Atkinson, Wis., in 1871 ; they 
have three children — William, Mary and a babe. Mr. Buening is independent in polities, and is a mem- 
ber of Palmyra Lodge, No. 160, I. 0. 0. F. He has a large stock of harness, saddles, trunks, carriage- 
trimmincrs, whips, etc., and is prepared to <_'uarantee satisfaction in quality and price of goods. 

(irARDXEiR H. BU^ZELL, shoemaker and liveryman, Pidmyra ; born in Chelsea, Orange 
Co., Vt., July 23, 1838; the early part of his life was spent in his native State; came to Wisconsin in 






PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 655 

1854, locating at Palmyra the same year. He married Misa Mary Alcorn, of Lancaster. Wis., Aug. 26, 
18(i2; they have two fliilciren — Adelbert G. and Luclla M. Mr. Buzzell has alway.s been an active 
Republican, and was elected President of Palmyra in 1S78. He enlLsted Aug. 12, 18(!2. in Co. D, 24th 
W. V. I., and was with Gen. Buell at the battle of Perryville, Ky. ; was also in battles of ritone River, 
Tullahoma and Blue River; was under treatment for disability in Na.shville hospital two months; 
then transferred to the Reserve Corps, 8th Regiment, which was employed in guarding prisoners at Camp 
Douglas, Chicago, and other points ; Mr. B. was honorably discharged on account of disability in July, 
18G4, and returned to Palmyra, where he owns a boot and .shoe store and livery stable. 

ISAAC COXGDON, former. Sec. 24; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Fort Ann, Washington Co., 
N. Y., April 10, 1811 ; came to Wisconsin in 1845, locating in Palmyra, where he owns a farm of 145 
acres. He married Miss Sarah Woodruff', of Washington Co., N. Y., in 1832, who died in 1836, leaving 
two children — Simmons and Sarah A. ; Mr. Congdon married Miss Eliza Woodruil' in 1837 ; they have 
seven children — James, Esther, Jane, Harriet, Albert, JNLirion and Julia. Mr. Congdon is liberal in 
politics and religion. 

JOHN COTTINGHAIH, millwright. Palmyra ; born in Northampton Co., Penn., Oct. 26, 
1823; the early part of his life was spent in his native State, where he learned his trade; he came to 
Ozaukee Co., Wis., in 1846, and built the first mill at Grafton, also the Concordia mill at Hamilton, the 
Riverside mill and many others on Cedar Creek ; has built mills at Marathon City and has rebuilt both 
mills at Palmyra, also Port Washington Mill ; after twenty five bu.sy years in Ozaukee Co., he removed to 
Palmyra, where he has one of the most pleasant homes in the village. He married Bliss Emma Miller 
March 20, 1844; they have eight children — Alice, Robert, John, Jlorris, Howell, Corinna, Emma and 
Miriam. Mr. C. is a Republican, and has been Supervisor of the town of Grafton. United with the M. 
E. Church in 1850, and with his wife is now a member of the Palmyra M. E. Church. 

HON. AliEXANDER J. CRAK,^, deceased; born in town of Wallkill, Orange Co., N. 
Y., Nov. 11. 1823 ; after receiving his early education in his native State, he came to Palmyra in 1843, 
where he resided until 1860, though he was editor of the State. Journal of Edvcation at Racine four 
years. Mr. Craig was elected to the Wisconsin Legislature in 1859, and was appointed State Assistant Super- 
intendent of Education in 1861, and held the office until 1867. when he was elected State Superintendent, 
and was re-elected in 1869 by a majority of 10,000 votes; before the expiration of his second term, he 
fell a victim to pulmonary consumption and died July 3, 1870. Mr. Craig enlisted in 1864, in tlie 40th 
W. V. I., and served as Adjutant to the clo.se of the war. He was a man of broad and liberal ideas, of 
sound and well-tramed judgment, as well as unusual industry; when called upon by the people to assume 
a responsible office, he ever performed the duty in an able and conscientious manner. Mr. Ciaig married 
Jliss Eliza Jl. Dibble, of Rochestir, N. Y., May 3, 1842; they have seven children — Elmer 11., Mary 
L., Alice J., Herbert E., Seward J., Allen A. and Julius R. ; Helen E. Craig died Feb. 26, 1872, in 
Palmyra; Elmer H. is United States Pension Agent ; Mary L. is the wife of A. E. Bourne, Superinten- 
dent of Schools, Sandwich, III. ; Seward J. is in Buffalo, N. Y. ; Alice J. is a teacher of elocution in the 
Wisconsin State University ; Herbert E. is a teacher in Texas ; .\llen A. and Julius R. remain in Pal- 
myra with their mother. A. J. Craig wa.s an earnest member of the Congregational Church, as well as of 
the Republican partv. 

DAVIO CRAIG, Palmyra; born in Chili, Monroe Co., N. Y., Sept. 28, 1833; the early part 
of his life was spent in his native State ; came to Palmyra in 1846, where he completed his education ; 
taught several terms of school in Jefferson and Rock Cos. ; he took the station at Lone Rock, Rich- 
land Co., with his brother, in 1856; remained until 1861, when he went to Jones Co., Iowa. Mr. Craig 
enlisted Aug. 15, 1862, in the 24th I. V. I., and was in all the Southern States except Florida, 
Alabama and Texas; was in many battles and skirmishes in Louisiana ; was also in the Siienandoah 
Valley with Sheridan ; he was in hospital in Baltimore two months, on account of sunstroke ; with his 
regiment, he joined Sherman at Goldsboro, N. C. The boys saw many long hard marches, and much of the 
bloody side of war. Mustered out at Savannah, Ga., July 17, 1865; Mr. C. took charge of the Palmyra 
warehouse in 1866, and has been in the warehouse and depot many years. He married Miss Teresa A. 
Crandall, of Lone Rock, Wis., Dec. 26, 1858 ; they have one son— Willie 0, born Feb. 23, 1859, and 
one daughter, Jennie May, born May 10, 1867. Mr. Craig is a Republican, and has been Town Clerk 
and Justice of the Peace, and is now serving his fifth term as Town Treasurer ; in 1872, he had all except 
two votes for Town Treasurer; he is a member of the M. E. Church and Palmyra Lodge, No. 160, 
I. O. 0. F. 

WIIiLIAlI CRAIG, farmer. Sees. 9 and 10 ; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Seottsville, Monroe Co., N. 
Y., Jan. 25, 1831 ; the early part of his life was spent in New York ; like his brothers, A. J. and David 



650 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Craig, he was self-taught ; came to Palmyra in 1840; after one year, ho removed to Rock Co., Wis., 
where he resided four years ; returning to Palmyra, he lived there four years, then went to Lone Rock, 
Wis., where he was station agent twelve years and merchant four years; he resided in Richland and Sauk 
Cos., twenty-one years, and settled on the farm he now owns of eighty acres in March, 1877. Mr. Craig 
marri.d Mrs. Lavinia Francis, March, 18.50, who died, March, 1805, leaving two sons — -Charles Sumner 
and Corrie Jay ; Mr. Craig married Mi.ss Elvira Crittenden, July, 1800 ; they have one daughter — Dora 
Belle. Mr. C. a Republican and was Town Clerk seven successive years in Buena Vista, Richland Co.; 
was also Town Treasurer ; he is a member of of Palmyra Lodge, No. 60, A., P. & A. M.; is also a mem- 
ber of the Palmyra Congregational Church. 

OIjIVER p. DOW, merchant and editor of the ¥a\myra Enterprise ; born in Hudson, Hills- 
boro Co., N. H., Sept. 30, IS23; the early part of his life was .spent in his native State; he came to 
dhemung Co., N. Y., with his parents, in 1838 ; attended academy at Manchester, N. H., winter of 
1844 and 1845. After several years of hard work as a farmer, he taught .several terms in Xew York. Mr. 
Dow came to Wisconsin and located in Palmyra in 1840; here he engaged in teaching school and in farm- 
ing ; has 110 acres of land on Sections 21 and 28, al«o five acres in the village; he opened a store in 
1855, where he now has a stock of hardware, paints, oils, school-books, stationery, etc.; realizing the nejd 
of a local paper, he began publishing the Palmyra Kntcrprhe March 25, 1874, the first and only paper 
in the town. Mr. Dow married Miss Mary Boss, of Clienengo Co.. N. Y., in 1840, who died June 15, 
1859, leaving four children— Katie L,, Edward E., Oliver P" and Delia M. On March 20, 1801, Mr. 
Dow married Mi.ss Emerett Graves ; they have five children — Nellie, Clifford, Lura J., Alice C. and Rer- 
tha. He is a strong advocate of Republican principles; he has served as President of the village, and, for 
several years, Chairmau of the Town Board, Town Superintendent of Schools and Justice of the Peace ; 
he has always been an active and earnest opponent of the traffic in inti^xicating liquors ; as a religionist, 
believes in the final restoration of all things, that Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost, and 
that the sjreat design will never be frustrated, as sure as God lives omnipotent. 

CHAKLE$!i F. EASTJIAN, cooper and job workman, Palmyra; born in Denmark, Me., 
Nov. 20, 1823; the early part of his life was spent in New Hampshire, where he learned his business; 
resided in Lowell, Mass., about three years, where he was a mill-watchman. He enlisted in the 12th N. 
H. v. I. in August, 1863 ; was with his regiment at Richmond and Petersburg, and was under fire most 
of the time ; his regiment was under arms, night and day, for about three weeks, and repulsed many des- 
perate charges. At the close of the war, Mr. E. returned to New Hampshire, but came to Palmyra in 
1806, where he has since done a very satisfactory business. He married Miss Eleanor B. Hill July IS, 
1848; they have five living children — Izora A., Edward C, Nettie, John M. and Charles F. Mr. F]astman 
is a Republican, and has been Trustee and Street Commissioner in Palmyra; is a member of the Palmyia 
T. of H., and has been an active supporter of the Gospel many years ; is now Deacon of the Palmyra 
Baptist Church. 

JAMES FRENCH, farmer. Sees. 12, 13 and 14; P. 0. Palmyra; was born in Cornwall, 
England, Nov. 18, 1832 ; came to .Vmerica in 1844, and settled, the same year, on the farm he now owns 
of 200 acres. Married Miss Amelia Lean, of Sullivan, Nov. 10, 1800 ; they have six children — Ida T., 
Dora E., J. Franklin, Thomas E. L., Harry J. and Ethel I. Mr. French is a Republican, and a member 
of the Bible Christian Church; also, a member of Palmyra T. of II. and Lodge of Good Templars ; also, 
of Palmyra Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. He is one of the successful farmers of Jeff'erson Co., and has remained 
upon his original location, and ])rovided a good home for himself and fiimily. 

JAIflES <]}ILBEKT, farmer,'Sec. 22; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Cornwall, England, in 1889 ; 
came to America in 1859, locating in Palmyra, where he has since lived ; settled on the farm he now owns 
of 100 acres, in 1S71. Married Miss Julia Stratfen Aug. 22, 1804 ; they have three children — Albert, 
Ada and Lillie. Mr. Gilbert is a Republican. Mrs. Gilbert was born March 17, 1845; she became 
impressed with the truths of the Gospel, and united with the M. E. Church, of Oxford, Oakland Co., 
Mich., at the age of 14; she is still an active and earnest supporter of the Gospel, and has been a mem- 
ber of the Palmyra !M. E. Church during the past nine years. 

THOMAS <i}ILBERT, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Oak Hill; was born in Cornwall, England, in 
1825 ; came to America in 1S57, locating in Palmyra the same year; settled on the farm he now owns 
of 140 acres in 1809. Married Miss Frances Drakes, of Jefferson, Jan. 8, 1863; their children are 
William H., Mary, John, Daniel and Eliza. Mr. Gilbert is a Republican. He is raising the usual stock 
and crops of his county, and is a very successful farmer. 

J. E. WREOORY, dealer in lumber, stock and produce, Palmyra; born in Cornwall, England, 
April 20, .1834; came to America in 1850, locating in Palmyra; he resided fifteen years, as a farmer, iu 



PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 657 

Eagle, Waukesha Co.; began his present business in 1873. He married Miss Mary McCabe Jan. 1, 
1.S58; they have six children — Thomas, Elizabeth, Mary, Katie, John and William. Mr. Gregory is a 
Democrat; has been Supervisor in Eagle; is liberal in religion. He keeps constantly in stock, near the 
warehouse in Palmyra, all kinds of lumber, lath, shingles, windows, doors, and all kinds of dressed lum- 
ber ; he will sell at rates which defy competition, and intends to deal so fairly with the people of Palmyra 
and vicinity as to merit their patronage. 

WALTER OROVES, blacksmith, Palmyra; born in Erie Co., N. Y., Feb. 5, 1837; came 
to Wisconsin in 1857, locating in Palmyra; having learned his trade 'in New York, he opened a shop in 
1859, where he has since been in business. He married Miss Martha Fairbrother, of Palmyra, in 18(30 ; 
they have two sons — Delbert W. and Charlie F. Mr. Groves is a Republican, and is liberal in religion. 
He is well known as a reliable workman and business man. 

a. GIIL.BRLT1VSOX, tailor. Palmyra; born in Norway Aug. 2, 18-17; the early part of his 
life was spent in his native country, where be was educated and learned his trade ; came to America in 
1871, and located at Palmyra in January, 1873. He married Miss Carrie Oleson Dec. 26, 1870; they 
have two children — Mina C. and Eugene 0. Mr. Gulbrunson is a Republican, and the familv are mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church. He has worked at his business since he was 14, and is prepared to meet 
the wants of the people and will guarantee satisfaction in work and prices. 

CHARLES HEBARD, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Hebron ; born in Bennington Co., Vt., June 
23, 1828 ; he was educated and spent his early life in Vermont; he came to Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1845, 
locating in town of Sullivan. In 1852, he went to California, and after two years of successful mining, 
he returned and bought the farm he now owns of 100 acres. Mr. H. is a Democrat, and is liberal in 
religion ; as one of the successful fiirmers of his county, he is raising Durham grade cattle and Merino sheep. 

CLEMEXT HARE, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Palmyra ; born in Lincolnshire, England, April 
20, 1814 ; the early part of his life was spent as a farmer in England ; came to America in 1851 , locating 
in Walworth Co, Wis.; settled on the farm he now owns of 390 acres in 1867. He married Miss 
Frances Warne, who died in 1843, leaving four children — Frances, John, Annie and William. Married 
Miss Mary Robin.son in 1844, who died in 1850, leaving three children — Jane, Mary and Charles. Mr. 
Hare married Mrs. Annie Cougdon Dec. 13, 1859. Mr. Hare is Independent in politics, and is one of 
the successful i'armers of Jefferson Co. 

JAMES HARVEY, farmer. Sec. 5; P. O. Palmyra; born in Lincolnshire, England, Aug. 8, 
1794 ; came to America in 1830 ; spent Some time in New York State; then went South and helped build 
the'C. & A. R, R. ; he then returned to New York, and in or about 1842, he came to Jefferson Co., Wis., 
settled on Section 27, town of Palmyra; in 1850, he located on his present farm of 240 acres. He mar- 
ried Miss Sully Akins. who died several years before he came to Wisconsin, leaving two children — Hannah 
and Elias. He married Melinda Cinnamon June 8, 1840. Mrs. Harvey is a native of Tioga Co., N. Y. ; 
they have five daughters — Mary, Martha, Jane, Elizabeth and Catherine (twins). Mr. Harvey is a 
Republican, and is one of the well and favorably known pioneers of the county. 

EDWARD HITCH, farmer. Sec. 15; P. O. Palmyra ; born in Cambridgeshire, England, 
Dec. 24, 1820 ; the early part of his life was spent in his native country ; he came to America with but 
little means in January, 1852, and by hard work has improved his farm, and made a good home; resided 
nine years in Whitewater as a farmer, and settled on the farm he now owns of 120 acres in 1861. Mar- 
ried .^liss Fannie Peacock Sept. 4, 1840 ; they have nine living children — Harriet, Eliza, Anna, Mary A., 
Amanda, Caroline, Jane, Sophia and Thomas. Mr. Hitch is a Republican, and in accord with the Bible 
Christian Church. 

JOHX HOLLOWAY, miller, Palmyra; born in Devonshire, Eng., in 1851; came to 
America in 1868, locating at Whitewater, where he was engaged in the milling business ; in January, 
1879, wiih Mr. Horton, he bought the Palmyra mill, where they are now doing a very satisfactory business. 
Mr. Holloway married Miss Inez M. Hay, of Whitewater, in 1876 ; they have one daughter — Pearl Irene, 
born July 20, 1878. Mr. H. is independent in politics and religion. 

GEORGE HOOPER, farmer. Sees. 11 and 12; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Cornwall, Eng., 
May 8, 1833; came to America with his father, George Hooper, in 1844, locating on the farm he now 
owns of 270 acres. He married Miss Jane Strike, of Devonshire, Eng., April 9, 1857 ; they have six 
children — Daniel H., Frank G., Luther J., William A., Mary E. and Carrie J. Mr. Hooper is a Repub- 
lican, and has been Supervisor and Assessor in Palmyra. The family are members of the Bible Christian 
Church, of which Mr. Hooper has been an active member for the past twenty-five years. He is now Cir- 
cuit Steward and Superintendent of Sabbath school. Mr. H. is raising the usual stock and crops of his 
county, including 160 grade Merino sheep. 



658 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

JOH9f HOOPER, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Cornwall, Eng., Feb. 3, 1830 ; 
came to Amcriiii with his jiarents in 1844 ; settled on the farm he now owns of 170 acres the same year. 
He married Mi.ss Jane E. Lean Dec. 4, 1856 ; they have four children — Edwin J., Clarence W., Lewis 
and Cclia. Jlr. Hooper is a Republican, and a member, with his wife, of the B. C. Church. He is one 
of the well-known and successful farmers of his town. 

THOMAS HOOPRR, farmer. Sees. 12, 13, 14 and 23; P. O. Palmyra; born in Corn- 
wall Eiiir., Jan. 1, 1825; cauje to America and Palmyra in 1845; worked as a stonem;ison in 
Janesville in 1846; in Milford in 1847; in Janesville in 1848; again in Milfbrd in 1849; in 1850. he 
went overland to Califiirnia, where he was a successful gold miner ; returning to the town of Sullivan, he 
resided until 1864; built the first grist-mill in the village of Rome in 1857 ; settled on the farm he now 
owns of .115 acres in 1864. Mr. Hooper married Miss Harriet Watt, of Somersetshire, Eng., May 29, 
1854; they have nine children — Frank (}., Betsy, Thomas, Hattie, Emma, Edwin, Jennie, Ida and Rose. 
Is Independent in politics, and is in .sympathy with the Episcopal Church, which was the Church of his 
boyhood. 

HIRAM H. HUGHES, carpenter and joiner; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Hancock Co., Ohio, 
Nov. 29, 1S47 ; the early part of his life was spent in Clinton Co.. Mich. ; he enlisted in Aug. 1862, in 
27th Mich. V. I. ; was in battles of Holly Springs, Jackson, Vicksburg, Knoxvitle, and many others in the 
West ; his regiment was transferred to the Array of the Potomac, and Mr. U. was in battles of the Wilder- 
ness, Cold Harbor, North Anna River, and all the great battles preceding the siege of Richmond ; the 
regiment has a proud record, as its rolls show the names of over 5,000 men who were killed or captured 
in action ; Mr. Hughes was shot in the left side at the mine explosion of Petersburg, while trying to shoot 
a rebel color-bearer ; the regiment lost all its line officers on this day ; he was an Orderly on Gen. Burn- 
side's staff, and witnessed the signing of the terms on surrender of Lee. Mr. Hughes married Miss 
Martha Jackson May 12, 1867 ; they have two children — Emma P. and Joshua. .Mr. Hughes is a 
Republican ; liberal in rcliirion, and a member of Palmyra T. of H., No. 176. 

JOHN S. JACkSOX, farmer. Sec. 19; P. O. Palmyra; born in Sullivan Co., N. Y., June 
7, i809 ; came to Wisconsin in 1846, and is one of the hardy pioneers who saw much of the hardship of 
those times ; settled on the farm he now owns of fifty-nine acres in 1848. Married Mi.~s Mary Doty in 
1831; they have seven children: Sarah A., Huldah, William, Mary, Eliza, Amanda, Martha. Mr. 
Jackson is a Republican ; he united with the Baptist Church at the age of 19, and has been 
an active and earnest supporter of the Gospel, and, with his wife, has done good work in a good cause. 

JOSEPH JOHXSTOX, farmer; P. O. Palmyra; b. rn in Ottawa, Waukesha Co., Wis., 
Oct. 23, 1S46 ; has spent his life in Jefferson Co. ; he enlisted in 13th Wis. Bat. Light Artillery, in 1863 ; 
the battery was in some sharp skirmishes in Louisiana, and always did its duty well and cheerfully ; Mr. 
Johnston enlisted at the close of the war in the 17th Regulars, and was in Texas about three years, and 
where he had some stirring experiences with the Mexicans and Indians ; he was honorably dLscharged June 
9, 1869, and married Miss Hattie Sweet, of Sparta Center, Mich., in 1872 ; they have one daughter, 
Ella, born Auir. 8, 1878. Mr. J. is a Republican, and is liberal in religion. 

RICHARD JOLLIFFE, farmer. Sees. 2, 3, 4 and 9 ; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Cornwall, 
England, May 24, 1830; came to America with his parents in 1846; settled on the farm he now owns of 
220 acres in 1856. He married Miss JIary A. Uglow Nov. 25, 1855 ; they have one son, Edwin J., 
born Oct. 2, 1856, who married Miss Anna Dawe March 5, 1878. Father and son are Republican. 
Mr. JoUifTe has been Supervisor of Palmyra two terms, and is a Director in Sullivan Town Insurance Co. 
Members of the Bible Christian Church. 

3IATHIAS KAISER, blacksmith ; P. O. Palmyra ; born in Luxemburg, Germany, Dec. 
13, 1834 ; the early part of his life was spent in his native country; came to Jefferson Co. in 1856, and 
opened a blacksmjth-shop in Palmyra in 1861, where he has since followed the business ; he enlisted in 
1865 in the 46th W. V. I., and was under Gen. Hunter in Alabama ; the regiment was mustered out in Octo- 
ber, 1865. Married Miss Barbara Bu.sgcn March 25, 1861. He isa Democrat, and has been Trustee on the 
Village Board ; is a Mason and Odd Fellow in good standing. 

CHARIiES KIX<w, brnoramakor ; Palmyra; born in East Windsor, Conn.. Nov. 17, 
1826 ; came to Wisconsin about 1839, locating on Turtle Prairie, Walworth Co., where he lived two years ; 
he was a resident of Walworth Co. about fourteen years ; was in the pottery business in Whitewater, and 
owned the Whitewater Hotel, which he sold in 1853 ; came to Palmyra and opened a blacksmith-shop, 
in which he worked about throe years; Mr King enlisted in 1865, in Co. E, 46th W. \. I., was stationed 
with his regiment at Athens, Ala. ; the regiment did guard duty until its discharge the same year. Mr. 
King married Miss Almira Spurbec, who died in 1850, in Whitewater; he married Miss Martha Bush 



PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 659 

in 185'2 ; they have two children — Frank and George. Mr. King is a Republican, and i.s liberal in 
religion. 

AIi«KRTlTS KXAPP, farmer, See. 7 and Jl ; P.O. Palmyra ; born in Monroe Co., N. Y., 
May o, 18i:i ; came to Wisconsin in May, 1838, and is among the first settlers in the .State; after a 
residence of four years in Walwortli Co., he came to Jefferson Co. in 18-12, locating on the farm of 4H0 
acres he now owns in 1844. He married Miss Polly Duncan July 3, 1844; it was probably the lirst 
marriage in the town of Palmyra ; they have two children — Emeliue and Adella. Mr. Knapp is at 
Republican ; has been Supervisor and Assessor several terms, and liberal in religion ; he is one of the 
successful pioneer farmers, who began with but little and, as a result of his own efforts, now has a farm 
and a home second to none iq the township ; Mr. Knapp is raising Durham and Jersey grade cattle, Nor- 
man a. ado horses, Poland-China hoL's, and keeps from two hundred to four hundred Spanish Merino sheep. 

PATRICK L.AWLESS, farmer. Sees. 3(j and 25 ; P. O. Palmyra ; borii in County Galway, 
Ireland, Sept. 15, 1838; came to America with his mother in 1845, and located in Waukesha Co., Wis., 
where he lived eleven years, then removing to Sullivan, Jeti'erson Co., where he lived until 18(i7, when he 
removed to the farm he now owns of 18tt acres. Married Miss Ellen O'Neal, of Toronto, Canada. March 
2t!, 18()4; they have nine children — John, Mary, Jane, George, Katie, Nellie, Thomas J,, Theresa and a 
babe. Mr. Lawless is a Democrat and a Catliolic. He is raising full-blooded Durham cattle, .Merino .sheep, 
Poland-China hogs, and intends to improve his herd of Durhanis and to bring it to a high standard. 

HIKAJI'R. leach, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Palmyra; born iu the town of Claremont, 
Sullivan Co., N. H., Oct. 14, 1818 ; the early part of his life was spent in New Hampshire; he removed 
to Vermont at the age of 20, and settled in Palmyra in 1842; he bought his land in the wild state, and, 
by industry and economy, improved it and made a good home for himself and family ; Mr. Leach sold his 
farm and removed to the village in April, 1874. He married Miss Harriet, daughter of Samuel Sherman, 
of Wethersfield, Vt,, Sept. 12, 1843; they have one daughter — Mary A., now the wife of George Backus, 
of Eagle. IMr. Leach is an advocate of the principles of the Republican party ; he has a pleasant home 
in the villaire, where he and his wife are enjoying the fruits of their busy lives. 

VICTOR LOWE, merchant ami farmer, Palmyra; born in Saxony July 10, 183G; the early 
part of his life wa.s spent in his native country, where he was educated to the mercantile business ; came to 
Wisconsin in 1857, locating in Milwaukee; he settled in Palmyra in 18ti0, where he opened a stock of 
general merchandise ; he now owns a large store, where he and his brother are in business ; he also owns a 
farm of sixty acres, near the Bidwell House, where he is growing fruit of all Icinds adapted to the climate; 
he also has a herd of Jersey cattle ; on his farm are located the noted Wisconsin Springs, seven in number 
and all differing in their properties. Jlr. Lowe married Miss Nettie Allen, of I'almyra. Aug. 3, 18t>3. In 
politics he is a Republican ; Mr. and Mrs. Lowe are members of the Congregational Church of Palmvra. 

ROBERT li. McCarthy', farmer. Sec. 2t) ; P. O. Palmyra'; born in London, England, 
Aug. 3t), 1842; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1842, locating in Palmyra, where he has since 
lived and been educated. He married Miss Melissa Elson, of Salina, C. W., Oct. 7, 1873. Mr. McCar- 
thy's father, William D., died in Palmyra Aug. 29, 1874; his mother died July 10, 1879, in Palmyra. 
Mr. AKCartliy is a Republican and a member of Palmyra Lodge, No. IGO, L 0. 0. F., and has been 
Senior Supporter, Conductor. Vice Grand, Noble Grand, Past Grand, and has been Secretary three suc- 
ci'.ssive years ; he is also a member of Walworth Encampment, No. 5 ; is in accord with the Episcopal 
Church, with which his family have been connected for generalions. Mr. McCarthy owns IGO acres of 
land. 

MONROE McKENZIE, boot and shoe maker. Palmyra; born in Vermont March 27, 1805 ; 
the early part of his life was spent in Woodstock, Vt.; came to Wisconsin in 1844, locating in Palmyra, 
where he manufactured and bought and .sold boots and shoes until 1871, when he retired from business. 
He mairied .Miss Clarinda Mather, of Woodstock, in 1825, who died in 1847, leaving five children — Char- 
lotte, Frederick, Pluma, Monroe and Eva. His polities are Republican, and he has served as Justice of 
the Peace several terms; he was commissioned Captain nf the Vermont State Militia when a young man ; 
Mr. McKenzie is a Universalist in belief; is a Master Mason ; ho is prominently identified with the early 
settlement and subse((uent growth of I'almyra, where he now has a pleasant home. 

JAMES MEGdilNSON, farmer, Sec. 30; P.O. Palmyra; born in Yorkshire, England, 
Nov. 14, 1810; came to America in 1844; he settled in Walworth Co., Wis., the same year, where he 
resided twenty-four years ; located on the farm he now owns of seventy acres, in April, 1871. Mr. Megginson 
married Mi.<s Halroyd, in 1838, who died September, 18(58, aged 74 years. Mr. M. married JL-s. Mary 
Selden, of Sugar Creek, Walworth Co., Wis., April, 18(59. Members of the Palmyra M. E. Church ; he 
is a stauch Republican. 



660 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

JOHX IfIESSERSCH]IIIDT, proprietor of the Commercial House, and liveryman of 
Palmyra; born near Halle, Germany, Dec. 27, 18+2; came to America and to Palmyra in 1858, and 
opened the Commercial House the same year. He enlisted in the 1st W. V. C, Dec. 20, 1860; the 
regiment was defeated in a darinsi' raid at Madison, Ark., where Mr. M. was badly wounded and taken 
prisoner ; was abandoned as a dyinir man and rescued by his comrades ; he recovered in time to fisht at 
Cape Girardeau, Mo.; rey;iment was transferred to the Army of the Tennessee, and was in battles of Shelby- 
ville, Fayette, Chickamauga, etc.; they fought Longstreet ail winter in East Tennessee, in ISG!^, and joined 
Sherman ; the subject of this sketch was commissioned Captaio in front of Resaca, Ga., for bravery on 
the field in saving a part of his detachment from an overwhelming force of cavalry, infantry and artillery, 
under the rebel Gen. Wheeler; he was also presented with a horse and revolver; was wounded and cap- 
ture! in a charge on Atlanta July 22, when his brother Fred was killed ; Capt. M. was held two months 
in Andersonville, and experienced all the horrors of that prison-pen ; he escaped by tunneling out and 
was recaptured eighteen miles from Charleston and kept one month in the city jail ; from Charleston he 
Was taken to Florence, S. C, where he was kept until February, 18(55, when he again escaped; reached 
Wilmington, N. C, Feb. 21), and hid in a cellar two days; Feb. 22, 1865, the city was taken by Gen. 
Schofield, and Capt. M. says it was a happy anniversary of Washington's birthday; worn out by hard- 
ship and captivity, he received a furlough and was at home unfit for duty at the close of the war. He 
married Miss Caroline Haage, of Whitewater, Wis., in 1867; they have five children — Albert, Freddy, 
Kuima, Nellie and a babe. Mr. M. is a Decuocrat, and a member of Palmyra Lodge, L 0. 0. F. 

RICHARD H. MIIjLj, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Palmyra; born on the farm he now owns, of 
120 acres, Feb. 4, 1847; has spent his life and been educated in Wisconsin, finishing his education at 
Milton College. Married Miss Mary Sockcrson Dec. 1, 1868; they have four children — Lenna M., 
],eamon B., John V. and Alvin K. Mr. Mill is a Republican, and liberal in religion. He is a breeder 
of full-blooded short- horn cattle, Poland-China hogs and has the largest flock of full-blooded Merino 
sheep in Jefferson Co , on which he has taken many premiums at the Central Wisconsin and Jefferson 
County Fairs, also took four at the festival of the Wisconsin Wool-Growers' Association, BIkhorn, Wis., 
JLiy 1 and 2, 1879; he intends to bring his flock to a high standard. 

W. H. MITCHELiL, barber and confectioner. Palmyra; born in Chautau(|ua Co., N. Y., 
May 22, 1849; he learned his business in Honesdale, Penu.; has been a railroad and a traveling man for 
many years; came to Palmyra in 1876, and opened his present business, where he keeps confectionery of 
all kinds, canned meats and fruits, and is prepared to furnish ice cream and lemonade, soda water, oysters, 
etc., in their season, on short notice ; he is doing a good business and invites the patronage of the public. 
He married Miss Hattie McLaughlin Dec. 31. 1878. He is a Democrat and is liberal in religion. 

LKVI MIJJVOER, farmer. Sees. 19, 30 and 34; P. O. Palmyra; born in Madison Co., N. Y., 
Feb. 13, 1820; the early part of his life was spent in Medina Co., Ohio; he came to Palmyra in 1842, 
and is one of its first settlers ; located on the farm of 250 acres he now owns the same year. He mar- 
ried Mi.ss Martha E. Thayre, of Fulton, Rock Co., Wis., Oct. 15, 1845; they have faur living children 
— William H., Augustus C., Charles W. and Martha D. Mr. Munger is Republican; with his wife he 
has been for many years a member of the Palmyra M. E. Church; has been Steward and Trustee many 
years. He is raising high-grade Durham cattle, Morgan, Patchen and Messenger horses, also Merino 
sheep. 

WILLIAM H. JIUNCiER, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. O. Palmyra; born in Palmyra Sept. 2, 
1847. He has lived and been educated in his native State. He enlisted in Co. F, 38th W. V. I., in 
April, 1864; was with his regiment in Shenandoah Valley, at Hatchie's Run and sieges of Richmond and 
Petersburg; regiment discharged in August, 1865 ; Mr. Munger returned to Palmyra, where lie has 160 
acres. He married Miss Emeline Knapp Oct. 13, 1867 ; they have three children — Julia, Frank E. 
and Jennie. Mr. Munger is a Republican and a member of Whitewater Grange, No. 485 ; is liberal in 
religion. He is raising full-blooded Durham cattle, horses, hogs, etc. Has an artesian well eighty-three, 
feet deep, and, by means of pipes running through his milkroom, is enabled to make a very superior arti-T 
cle of butter, and has in all cases satisfied his patrons. 

JOSEPH B. OLDS, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P.O. Little Prairie; born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., 
July 26, 1830 ; came to Wisconsin in 1848. locating on the farm he now owns of 138 acres. He married 
Miss Nancy S. Allen, of Palmyra, Dec. 16, 1858; they have two children — Clayton D. and Dora P. MrJ 
Olds is a Republican, and is Steward and Trustee in the Little Prairie B. C. Church ; is also Treasurer o^ 
the Little Prairie Union Temperance Society. Mrs. Olds was born June 16, 1836 

WILLIAM OLDS, farmer. Sec. 25; P. 0. Little Prairie; born in Jefferson Co., N. Y.,| 
Oct. 25, 1829 ; came to Wisconsin in 1854, locating in Little Prairie, Walworth Co., Wis., where he lived 



PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 661 

•twenty years; removed to the farm of 120 acres he now owns in 1873. Mr. Olds married Miss Fannie 
Kelse June 19, 1852 ; they have two son.s — William J. and Albert G. Mr. Olds is a Republican, and is 
liberal in his religious views, supporting all creeds alike. He enlisted, Feb. 5, 1862, in the 13th W.V. I.; 
was with his regiment in Kani^as, and was left sick at Lawrence ; he recovered and joined a Kansas regi- 
ment in pursuit of Quantrell, and had many sharp fights. He rejoined his regiment at Fort Henry, and 
helped to pursue Forrest; was again taken sick at Fort Donelson, and rejoined his regiment at Stevenson, 
Ala.; the regiment did guard duty and fought guerrillas until the close of the war; it was discharged April 
1, 1865. 

CHRISTOPHER OI.ESON, finmer. Sees. U and 17 ; P. 0. Palmyra ; born in Norway, 
Feb. 2G, 1834; came to America and to Pahnyra via the lakes and Milwaukee; settled on the firm he 
now owns of 140 acres in 1865. Married Mi-s Margaret Anderson, of Palmyra, Nov. 17, 1859 j they 
have seven children — Joseph, Oscar J., Jacob, Isaac, Samuel, Clara, May and Ada L. Miss Josie has 
taught several terms of school in Jefferson, Walworth and Adams Cos. Mr. Oleson is a Republican, 
and the family are members of the Lutheran Church, of which Mr. 0. has been Trustee and Director. 

OLE OLESOIV, farmer, Sec. 35; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Norway April 29, 1836; came to 
Ameriea_in 1849, locating in Palmyra, where he has since lived. Heenlisted in 1861 in the 15th W.V. I., 
and was in the battles of Island No. 10. Stone River, Perryville, Franklin, Chickamauga, Lookout Mount- 
ain and Knoxville, and fought with Sherman to Atlanta ; was in the battle of Jonesboro, (Ja., and the 
battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. ; honorably discharged in February, 1865. He located on the 
farm he now owns of eighty-one acres in 1874. Married Mi.ss JIary (lilbertson April 8, 1874; they have 
two children — Otto and Lena. Mr. Oleson is a Republican and a member of the Lutheran Church. 

RICHARD PEARDOK, M. D., D. D. S., Palmyra; born in Devonshire, P^ngland, 
Jan. 18, 1843. He came to America with his parents May 24, 1846, locating in Eagle, Waukesha Co., 
Wis., where his parents still reside; was, in his youth, a farmer, and was interested in the study of medi- 
cine at an early age, and began the study of dentistry in 1868, entering the Philadelphia Dental College in 
1870 ; he graduated, after a full course of study, Feb. 29, 1872. The Doetor entered the Medical Depart- 
ment of the University of Pennsylvania in 1874, graduating, after a full oouise with the highest honors, 
March 10, 1876. By close application to business for the past nine years, as well as his thorough course 
of study at the best medical and dental colleges in America, he has obtained a high position among VVis- 
consin physicians. He is an active member of the State Dental Society ; also of the Alumni Association 
of the Pennsylvania University. The Doctor is a Republican in polities, liberal in religion, was baptized 
in the Protestant Episcopal Church, and is a member of Palmyra L^dge, No. 68, A., F. & A. M. 

JOHN PEARSE, watch and clock maker and jeweler. Palmyra; born in Devonshire, lingland, 
Aug. S, 1805 ; he served a five years' apprenticeship at his business in England ; opened a .shop in Bidde- 
ford in 1833, and followed the business until 1845, when he came to America; began in business at St. 
Johns, Canada, where he resided until 1854, when he located in Janesville, Wis. ; in 1858, on account of 
ill health in his family, he removed to his present location in Palmyra; he has the largest stock of 
watches, clocks and jewelry in the village. Mr. Pearsa married Miss Ann Mill, of Cornwall, England, in 
1832; they h:ive two children — Henry and Charlotte. Mr. Pearse is a Republican in politics, and is in 
sympathy with the M. E. Church. 

CHARLES B. PECK, General Manager of C. & L. H. R. R., Port Huron, Mich. ; born in 
Steuben Co., N. Y., Aug. 10, 1840; he came to Wisconsin in 1848, and lived in Palmyra until 1856, 
when he attended Albion Academy one year ; he then attended Carroll College, Waukesha, where he 
learned telegraphy, and began life as a railroad man ; was appointed station agent at Brodhead, Wis., at 
the age of 19, where he remained until the spring of 1863, when he enlisted in the 36th W. V. I., and 
was afterward Quartermaster of the regiment ; he served till the close of the war, having attained the 
rank of brevet Major. He went to Kansas in 1867 as GeneralTreight Apent of the L., L. & G. R. R., 
and was made Superintendeut of the line in 1872; in the fall of 1874, he went to Detroit, Mich., as 
Western General Freight Agent of the G. T. R. R., and organized the lake transportation business of the 
Une; Mr. Peck was transferred to General Freight Agent of the C. & L. H. R. R., and was made Super- 
intendent in 1877, Receiver and General Manager in 1878, which position he still holds ; he is also Presi- 
dent of the Chicago and State Line Extension R. R. now building from Chicago eastward to the Chicago 
& Lake Huron R. R. 

WILLIAM PIPER, firmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Palmyra ; born in Palmyra, Jefferson Co., Wis., 
July 4, 1844 ; has spent his life and been educated in his native State ; located on the farm he now owns, 
of 135 acres in 1856, and married Miss Margaret J., dau2;hter of William and Mary Craig, of Palmyra, 
Nov. 12, 1866 ; they have three children— Herbert J., Elmer G. and Myron A. Mr. Piper is a stanch 



662 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



1 



Republican, and is now a Supervisor of Palmyra ; is also Clerk of Union School District No. 2, of Pal* 
niyra, Sullivan, Eagle and Ottaway. Is liberal in religion. Mr. Piper is a member of the Jefferson Co. 
Agricultural Society, and is raising Durluim grade cattle, Morgan horses and the American Improved 
Spanish Merino sheep. 

T. R. <Jl^Al<EV, boot and shoe maker and dealer, Palmyra; born in Norway Jan. 10, 1844; 
came to America in 1864, and opened a boot and shoo manufacturing establishment in Palmyra in 1875, 
which he continues under the firm name of Qualey & Messerschmidt ; the firm arc manufacturing hand- 
made boots and shoes, which they supply to customers by wholesale and retail ; they make a specialty of a 
heavy winter boot with a separate lining which can be taken out and dried when damp; having a long 
experience, they are enabled to guarantee satisfaction in price and (juality of goods. Mr. Qualey married 
Miss Annie Nelson, of Walworth Co., Wis., in 18G(i; they have five children — Henry, Amanda M., 
Frank, Annie and Ruth. Mr. Qualey is a Republican, and is Conductor in the Palmyra Lodge, 
I. 0. 0. P. 

C. F". RAVX, mulder and foundry machinist. Palmyra; born in Copenhagen, Denmark, March 
8, 1828 ; came to America in 1848, locating in Milwaukee, where he was in charge of the Union 
Foundry, the Milwaukee Thrashing Machine Work.*, and many other shops, about thirty yejrs ; he bought 
the Palmyra Machine Works May 1, 1879, where he has a bra-s and iron foundry, machine shop, planing- 
mill and blacksmith shop ; he builds thrashing machines, horse-powers, and does repairing of all kinds : is 
also rebuildini; his shop and putting in new machinery entire, and proposes to do a largo business. Mr. 
Ravn married Mrs. Magdalena Werner in 1873 ; they have one son — John M., born June 5, 1877. Mr. 
R. is a Republican, and is one of the oldest members of Lodge No. 1, Society of Drui<"s, Milwaukee. 
Joseph Werner is now in charge of his father's shop, and Jacob Werner is in ihe shop also; Margaret 
Werner is witli her parents in the village. 

JOHN C. REED, farmer and manufacturer, Palmyra; born in Somersetshire, England, in 
1841 ; I he e:irly part of his life was spent in England; came to America in 185!', locating in Canada; 
removed to Walworth Co., Wis., where he engaged in farming; thence to Sullivan, Jefferson Co., where 
he owned a saw-mill. Mr. Reed settled in Palmyra in 1874, where he engaged in manufacturing. He is 
a Republican in politics, and has served as Supervisor of the village, and was elected Chairman of the 
Town Board in lS7it. Married Miss E.-ther Northey in 18t)0; they have five children — Lottie E., Clara 
N., Albert J., Alice M. and Jimery. Mr. Reed is a member in good standing of the Masonic Fraternity, 
and is liberal in religion. 

SUMLAR A. REED, clerk of the C, M. & St. P. R. R., Palmyra; born in Sullivan. Jeffer- 
son Co., Wis., Feb. Itl, 184;) ; he has spent his life and been educated in his native State, completing 
his education at Milton College in 1870 ; he began as a railroad man the same year, and ha.s since followed 
the business; was appointed to his present position in November, 1872; owing to the absence of Mr. Z. 
Willson, the agent, the railroad and express busine.'s is done by Mr. Reed and his assistant, D. L. Grant. 
Mr. Reed is a member of Palmyra Lodge, A., F. & A. M. ; also of Palmyra Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. ; ho is a 
Republican. His parents, Darius and Marietta Reed, still live on their farm in Sullivan. 

JANE RINEH ART, teacher; P. O. Palmyra; born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., April 6, 1838; 
came to Wisconsin with her parents in 1843, locating in Darien, Wis., where they lived about three 
years; in 184(5, they removed to Palmyra, where Mr. Rinehart died June 4, 1871. Mrs. Rinehart is 
still living with her daughter at their plea.sant home two miles from Palmyra, where they own seventy-four 
acres of land. Miss Rinehart is a well-known teacher in Walworth Co , where she taught thirteen years; 
she also taught about three years in Jefferson and Waukesha Cos., and two years in Schoharie Co., 
N. Y. 

JAMES RUNDLE, farmer. Sees. 16 and 17; P. 0. Palmyra ; born in Cornwall, England, 
in September, 1816 ; came to America May 27, 1849, locating in Palmyra, where he has since lived ; set- 
tled on the farm he now owns of 185 acres in 1859. Married Miss Mary Furse in September, 1849; 
they have eight children — Elizabeth, John, Mary, George, Emma, Clara, Edward and Frederick. Mr. 
Rundle is a Republican, and is liberal in his religious views. 

OLE ISArKERSAN, farmer. Sees. 23 and 26; P. O. Palmyra; born in Norway May 24, 
1823; came to America in 1847. locating in Palmyra, where he hiis since lived; owns 187 acres of land. 
Married Miss Isabel Oleson in 1847 ; they have four children — Mary, Gurena, Sevren and Otto. Mr. 
Saukersan is a Republican ; the family are members of the Lutheran Church. He came to America a 
poor man, and, through honest industry, has a good farm and home. 

CASI.UIR SCHENECKENBl'LL,, miller. Palmyra; born in Baden, Germany, in 
1824; came to America in 1854, locating in Dane Co., Wis., where he was in the milling business; 



PALMYRA TOWNSHIP. 663 

removed to Watertown in 1856, and has been milling in Jefferson Co. most of the time since; he bought 
the mill he now owns in 1873. Mr. S. married Miss AgOLS Bolt, of Delafield, in 18(51. He is a Demo- 
crat and a member of the Catholic Church. He learned his business in Germany, began at 14 years of 
age, and has been in the business all his life ; he grinds flour and feed of all kinds, and, with his long 
experience, feels able to give satisl'action to his jiatrons. 

FKAIVK P. STEEIjE, photographer, Palmyra; born in Koshkonong, Jefferson Co., Wis., 
Aug. 25, 1852; hi.s parents, Samuel and Olive Steele, were among the first settlers in Jefferson Co.; Mr. 
Steele learned his business in Whitewater and in Milwaukee, where he studied under Sherman and Leitich, 
mastering the India ink and crayon work ; he also executes water-color paintings; has devoted almost his 
entire time to his profession for the past six years, and has met with the best of success. Mr. Steele 
married Miss Alma 0. Masters, of Jefferson, April 19, 1879. He is a Republican in politics and liberal 
in religion. 

WIIjLjIAM C SQUIER, physician and surgeon. Palmyra ; born in Wethersfield, Vt., Sept. 
2, 1815 ; the early part of his life was spent in Vermont ; he removed to Ohio in 18B9, where he began 
the study of medicine, graduating at the Botanical Medical College, Cincinnati; returning to New Hamp- 
shire, in 1847, he practiced two years; came to Jefferson Co., in 1849, and practiced in Jefferson, Wal- 
worth and Waukesha Cos.; after ten years, he returned to New Hampshire, where ho lived and practiced 
another decade; he settled in Palmyra in 1869, where he now has a pleasant home. The Doctor married 
Miss P.rsis Marble, of Cornish, N. H., who was born Oct. 17, 1818 ; had six children ; only one is living, 
Etta, now the wife ot L. M. Newman, of Chippewa Palls, Wis., their son, Algernon M , Assistant Sur- 
geon U. S. A., died in the service July 29, 1867. The Doctor and wife are among the well and favora- 
bly known pioneers of Jeffer.^on Co. He is a strong advocate of the Republican party, and is liberal in 
bis views on religious matters. 

JOSMITA THAYER, farmer. See. 19 and 30; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Berkshire Co., 
Mass., Aug. 1 6, 1 820 ; he is among the very first settlers in Southern Wisconsin, as he came to Rock Co. in 
December, 1837, and settled in Fulton, where he engaged in the usual work of opening up a nsw coun- 
try ; he removed to the farm he now owns of 512 acres in November, 1842, and began with wild land and 
a K,g house ; had no neighbors within two miles. Mr. Thayer married Miss Diana Young, of La Prairie, 
Wis., June 22, 1841, who died Oct. 16, 1866, leaving seven children — Freeman, Ellen, Joseph, Louisa, 
Alice, Joshua and Matie : the last two are twins, and all were born on the old homestead in Palmyra. 
Mr. Thayer married Mrs. Martha E. Morse, of Lake Mills, Wis., Feb. 6, 1867. He is one of the suc- 
cessful pioneers who, by remaining upon his first location, has made a home and competence for him- 
self and family ; his ir)Come tax in 18G3 was the largest in Jefferson Co. ; he is now breeding Merino 
sheep, Holstein cattle, horses, hogs, etc. Mr. T. is a stanch Republican, and has been a Supervisor and 
Assessor in Palmyra, and is io sympathy with the Universalist Church. Freeman Thayer enlisted in the 
1st W. V. C.; was discharged on account of disability ; again enlisted in the 38th W. V. I., and served 
as 1st Sergeant ; was with (j-raut at Richmond, Petersburg, in the Shenandoah Valley, etc. ; served until 
the close of the war. 

AlIttUST TISCHAEFER, proprietor of the Stewart House, Palmyra; b)rn in Milwaukee, 
Wis., in 1814 ; he enlisted in the 49th Mo. V. I., and was at Centr.ilia, Mo., when the guerrilla Quantrell 
murdered 150 people of the town. The regiment took part in the capture of Spanish Fort and Mobile, 
Ala., and was discharged in October, 1865. Mr. Tischaefer returned to Milwaukee, where he was in the 
boot and shoe business, and afterward kept the Clifton House, ihen the Railroad House. He opened the 
Stewart House in 1876; has also a soda water factory, and is doing a very satisfactory business. Mr. 
Tischaefer married Miss Paulina Geisjiman, of Milwaukee; they have three children — Clara, Gertie and 
Cora. Mr. Tischaefer is independent in politics and religion. 

ROYAIi J. WASHBLRX, merchant and tiuner. Palmyra; born in Eaton, Madison Co., 
N. Y., June 6, 1839. The early part of his life was spent in his native State. He came to Wisconsin in 
1853, and begao life as a tinner's apprentice ; was bound out for a term of five years. Mr. Washburn 
bought the tools and fixtures of J. Carpenter, and began business for himself Aug. 8, 1860, on a capital of 
S96. By close attention to his business, he has constantly increased it. Built his present store when in 
partnership with M. Holmes, who was succeeded by C. D. Hibbard in 1876. Washburn & Hibbard are 
carrying the largest sto^k of hardware and drugs in Palmyra. Mr. Washburn married Miss Emily I., 
only daughter of A. C. Harlow, of Little Prairie, Wis., Dee. 6, 1859 ; they have one son — Lucian H., 
born Nov. 30, 18()5. Mr. Washburn is a Republican, and was a member of the Town Board at the time 
of the incorporation of the village ; has also been Village Treasurer. He was cashier for Ira Bidwell at 
the time of the building of the Bidwell House, and was in charge of about $30,000. He is at present 



664 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

building a new store beside the one he occupies, of the same size, 25x60 feet. Mr. Washburn has led a 
busy life, and is well known as a reliable business man. 

MILES WILBUR, farmer, Sees. 27 and 22, Palmyra, and Sec. 13, Cold Spring; P. 0. Pal- 
myra; born in Smyrna. Chenango Co., N. Y., July 10, 1818; came to Wisconsin in November, 1842, 
locating next April on IGO acres, which he improved, and on which he resided about eighteen years ; sold 
the farm and removed to Palmyra, where he engaged in manufacturing brick, buying and selling land, and 
various town business about twenty-five years. He was prominently identified with the incorporation of 
the village, and with the development of its business interests. He purchased forty acres of the old home- 
stead in 1875, where he has a pleasant home. Married ^Miss Lavina Duncan Sept. 10, 1839, who died 
July 31, 1845. Nov. 3, 1845, Mr. Wilbur married Miss Phebe Potter, of Hampton, N. Y. ; they have 
six children — Charles H., Francis P., Miles D.. Smith D., Orla D. and John W. ; Polly L. died in Smyrna, 
N. Y,, June 26, 1847; Charles P. died March 8, 1849; Lyman P. died March 12, 18(i0. Mr. WHbur 
is a Republican, and has served as President of Palmyra, Marshal, Assessor, Collector, Constable and 
Deputy Sheriff; he is in sympathy with the Univer.-alist Church. 

NELSOX WIIiLIS, jeweler, Palmyra ; born in Cayuga Co., N. Y.,-in 1827 ; came to Wis- 
consin in 1845, locating in llacine Co., where he lived fourteen years ; removed to Washington Co., where 
he resided iourteen years, and where he was in the jewelry business. Locating at Palmyra, he worked at 
his trade for a number of years and. opened a shop in 1871. He married Mrs. Almira McGibbon, of Mil- 
waukee, Sept. 27, 1865. Mr.Willis is a Republican and member of the Close Communion Baptist Church, 
but believes in free communion. He suffered about thirty-five years with epilepsy and rheumatism, but is 
now a well man, and credits his cure to the use of Wisconsin Spring, No. 2, and the Bidwell Spring. He 
learned his business under the direction of three skilled workmen, and, with his practical experience of 
twenty-five years, is prepared to guarantee satisfaction in his work, also in price and f|uality of goods. 

Xi. C. WILLSON, Palmyra; born in Pahnyra, Jefferson Co., May 1, 1845; son of Reuben 
Willson, and is the first white child born in Palmyra ; has spent his life and been educated in his native 
town ; attended the Lincoln Commercial College in Milwaukee in 1861. Mr. Willson was clerk in the 
depot at Palmyra twelve years ; was also with J. C. Reed in the wagon manufacturing business. He mar- 
ried Miss Nellie Porter, of Palmyra, Dec. 28, 1869; they have one daughter — Blanche, born Feb. 18, 
1873. Mr. Willson is a Republican, and has served as Town Treasurer twiije. Ho is a member in 
good standing of Palmyra Lodge, No. 68, A., F. & A. M.; also of Waukesha Chapter, No. 37. 

IflRS. B. R. WILLSON, matron of the State Industrial School for girls, Milwaukee ; Mrs. 
Willson was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., Aug. 27, 1827. The early part of her life was spent iu New 
York, where she was educated. In 1845, she married Z. Willson, and came with him to Palmyra, where 
she has since resided; they have three daughters — Mary A., Etna E. and Jessie Z. iNLiry A. is the wife 
of Orra Sherman, of Palmyra; Etna and Jessie are students in the village school. Mrs. Willson was in 
charge of the sanitary s'ores in the hospital at .Murfree.sboro, Tenn., about three months of 1863, and was 
appoiuted matron of the State Industrial School July 9, 1879 ; she has a farm of 165 acres on Sees. 17 
and 21. 



SULLIVAN TOWNSHIP. 

JOHBf AXTHOX Y, veterinary surgeon, Rome ; born in Bavaria Nov. 23, 1819 ; came to 
America in 1827, with his parents, locating in Canton, Ohio, where they lived ten years ; removed to 
Wayne Co., Ohio, and lived ten years as a dealer in horses; was traveling in Ohio four years in the same 
business; came to Whitewater, Wis., in July, 1844; was a merchant and stock-dealer in Jefferson, about 
sixteen years; spent two years in California. He also owned the Exchange Hotel, in Rome, for six years. 
Enlisted in 1862, in 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery ; was stationed in and about Washington on garrison 
duty, and was honorably discharged in September, 1863, on account, of disability caused by chnmic rheu- 
matism and asthma; returning, he has since lived in Rome. Mr. Anthony married Miss Catherine Miller, 
of Jefferson, Nov. 9, 1S44 ; they have four children — John N., Heh n M., Katie and Mary T. Mr. A. 
is Independent in politics, and is a member with his family of St. Mary's Catholic Church ; he is well 
known in Jefferson Co. as a successful pioneer, and still continues his practice as a veterinary surgeon ; 
his experience of forty-four years insures the most satisfactory results. 

ANDREW BIECK, farmer, Rome; born in Germany in 1839; came to America in 1848 
with his parents, locating in Sullivan, Jefferson Co., Wis. He enlisted in November, 1861, in 13th W_ 



SULLIVAN TOWKSHIP. 665 

V. I. ; was in the battles of Cl'irkville. Fort Donelson, and in skirmish witli part of Hood's army near 
Decatur, Ala. ; Mr. Bieck was shot through the left arm near Huntsville, Ala., and the arm was ampu- 
tated, in consequence of which he was discharged April 29, 1865, and now draws a pension. He returned 
to Rome where he has a pleasant home and about eight acres of land. Married Miss Katrina Pfeifter, of 
Sullivan, Feb. 2"2 ; they have four children — ^Ella, Lillie, Emma and George. Mr. B. is a Republican, and 
has been Supervisor three terms ; has one of the largest apiaries in Jefl'erson Co. Is a member of the 
German M. E. Church, and Rome Lodge, No. 279, I. O. 0. F. 

RICHARD BOGIE, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Rome; born in Fifeshire, Scotland, Jan. 28, 
1823 ; spent his early life and was educated in Sco'land ; came to America in 1842, locating in Milwaukee 
a couple of months ; he lived in town of Ottawa, Waukesha Co., one year, and settled in Sullivan in 1843 ; 
worked at anything to which he could turn his hand about two years, then settled on his present farm of 
248 acres ; be began with eighty acres of wild, heavily-timbered land, which he has improved and still 
owns. Mr. Bogie was a genuine pioneer, and has been well known as a thrasher during the past twenty 
years. Married Miss Isabel McFarlane about 1845, who died March 5, 1866, leaving three children — 
William G., Janette and Isabel. Mr. Bogie married, June 17, 1866, Mrs. Margaret Edwards ; they have 
two children — David and Emma. Mr. Bogie is a stalwart Republicun ; has been Supervisor, and is now 
Chairman of the Town Board. He united with the Free-Will Baptist Church in 1858, and was elected 
Deacon the same year ; has always been an earnest and active Christian ; as one of the successful pioneers 
of his county, ho has Durham-grade cattle, long-wool sheep, besides horses, hogs, etc. 

WILLIAM BrRTON, former. Sees. 15, 22 and 23; P. 0. Oak Hill; was born in Corn- 
wall, England, Aug. 7, 1823 ; came to America in 1844, locating in Eagle, Wis., in 1845, where he lived 
two years; removed to the farm he now owns of 160 acres in 1847 ; he also owns 200 acres of swamp 
land. He married Miss ?Jlizabeth Hooper in 1842, who died in November, 1858, leaving seven children- 
Daniel, Hannah. Eliza, Esther, Georgina, George and Elizabeth. Eliza and George are not living. Mr. 
Burton is a Republican ; is in accord with Christianity, and helps to support it. He is one of the success- 
ful farmers who besran with but little, and by his own efforts has been very successful. 

BARIVARI) CARROLL, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Erfurt; born in County Louth, Ireland, 
where he spent his younger days and was educated ; came to America in 1854; lived two years in Sum- 
mit, Waukesha Co., and then settled on his farm of 160 acres. He has improved this farm, and made a 
home of the wilderness. Married Miss Mary Maskey, of Summit, April G, 1856; they have six children — 
Maggie, Thomas, James, Catherine. Maria and Julia. Mr. Carroll is a Democrat, and a member, with his 
family, of the Catholic Church. He came to America a poor man, and what he has he has earned 
himself 

CHARLEN S. CART WRIGHT, farmer, Sees. 29,30 and 32; P. 0. Rome; born in 
Allegany Co., N. Y., Sept. 1, 1838; came to Wisconsin in June, 1842, with his father, D. Cartwright, 
who was among the very first of the hardy pioneer hunters and fiirmers of Jefferson Co., and now resides 
at Milton, Wis. Mr. Cartwright is the oldest resident of Sullivan ; has spent his life and been educated 
in his native State, completing his education at Albion Academy. He enlisted, in 1864, in the 1st Wis. 
Heavy Artillery ; was enrolling officer for three years previously. The battery was stationed at Alexan- 
dria, Va., and did guard duty until its discharge, in June, 1865. Mr. Cartwright married Miss Sarah 
Green, of Hebron, Oct. 15, 1863 ; they have four children — Ira B., Alna L., Dayton W. and Glenn M. 
Mr. C. is a stanch Republican, and has been Town Clerk for the past three years; is also President of the 
town insurance company, and a Trustee of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society; is liberal in religion; 
owns 130 acres of land and a sorghum-mill, where he makes from 3,000 to 4,000 gallons per year; 
also owns the Rome Cheese Factory. 

PAUL W. CARTWRIGHT, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Rome; born in 1844, in SiiUivan 
JefFerson Co., Wis.; is a sou of David Cartwright, and is the first white man born in the town who is now 
a resident ; he enlisted in the 1st W. V. C. in 1862, and was in the battles of Cape Girardeau and Chick- 
amauga, also in the fiimous raid to Helena, Ark.; he served with the Armies of the Tennessee and Cum- 
berland until his discharge, in 1865, having served over a year in the Post Band, at Louisville, Ky.; he 
re-enlisted, March 12, 1865, in Hancock's Corps, and was stationed one year about Washington, D. 0.; was 
in charge as Corporal of ihe Guard on the (jovernment farm four months; he resided four years in Iowa 
as a farmer; at the close of his military .service, removed to Michigan, where he followed his father's foot- 
steps as a hunter and trapper ; on his return to Wisconsin, he built the mill known as Cartwright's Mill, 
at Auburn, Chippewa Co., where he also owned a saw-mill, planer and store; here ho was in business four 
years ; he bought the old Cartwright homestead of eighty acres in February, 1879 ; owns twenty-seven 
acres in Palmyra and 131 in Dunn Co., Wis. He married Ellen Ackley, of Rome, Wis., Feb. 16, 1865 ; 



666 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

they have four childreo — Carrie, Ida, David and Marietta. Mr. C. is a Republican, and has been Justice 
of the Peace in the towns of Cheteck, Barron Co , and Auburn, Chippewa Co.; he is liberal in his religious 
view.s. 

CHARGES CARYL, farmer, Sees. 25 and 26 ; P. O. Sullivan ; born in Windham Co., Vt., 
Dec. 17, 1817 ; was educated and spent his early life in Jefferson Co., N. Y.; came to Jefl"er.son Co., Wis., 
in May, 1844, locatinir the same year on the farm he now owns of 130 acres. He married Miss Ruth E. 
Sweet Oct. ti, 1846, who died Feb. 21, 1867, leaving five children — William, George, Lucy I., Emma 
and Lillian; George Caryl died Aug. 18, 1874, and Lucy I., March 13, 1876. Mr. Caryl married Jliss 
Julia A. Williams July 7, 1868. He is a stanch Republican, and has been Supervisor of Sullivan; he 
is in accord with the Congregational Church. He is one of the successful pioneer farmers, who made his 
choice of locLitiiin. and. by remaining upon it, has provided a competence for himself and family. 

HORACE CARYL, farmer, Sees. 23 and 24; P.O. Sullivan; born in Windham Co., 
Vt., Feb. 12, 1822 ; the early jiart of his life was spent in Jefferson Co., N. Y., where he was educated; 
came to Jefl'erson Co. in 1844, locating on the farm he now owns of 162 acres; bought it, in part, of the 
Government, and proceeded to iiuprove it, and now has one of the best farms and homes in his township. 
Mr. Caryl married Eliza J. Hays, of Hebron, in 1851 ; have five children— IClmer, Ansel, Nel.son, Mary 
and James. He is Independent in politics and liberal in religion. Like his brothers, Mr. Caryl is closely 
identified with the eariv bi^tory of his town.ship. 

R. C. CARYL, farmer. Sees. 24 and 25 ; P. O. Sullivan ; born in Jefferson Co., N. ¥., Nov. 
29, 1832; the eirly part of bis life was spent in his native State; came to Jefferson Co., Wis., in May, 
1846, locating on the farm he now owns of ninety-two acres, of which he has made a pleasant home, near 
his brothers, Charles and Horace. He married Miss Amelia BLshop, of (Portland Co., N. Y., Oct. 25, 
1871 ; they have one daughter — Mabel, born Oct. 9, 1873. Mr. Caryl is an Independent Republican and 
liberal in his religious views. Like his brothers, he has made his own successful record and is closely 
identified with the early history of Jefferson Co. 

1). P. CLARK, farmer, Sees. 22, 23 and 27; P. 0. Oak Hill; born in Penobscot Co., Me., 
Feb. 2. 1809; the early part of his life was spent as a farmer in his native State; he came to Wisconsin 
in 1844; lived in Waukesha Co. about three years, and .settled on the farm he now owns of 200 acres 
in 1848. He married Mi.ss Betsey G. Bunker, of his native county, Sept. 13, 1832, who died Aug. 26, 
1878, leaving one son, Clement B., and one daughter, Anna E., the wife of William Pethick, of Sullivan. 
C. B. Clark married Miss Henrietta Moore, of Sullivan, Jan. 1 , 1870 ; they have tour children — Ruel, David, 
Martha and Mildred. The flither and son are Republicans. D. P. Clark has been Town Treasurer and 
C. B. Clark has held the same oflSce ; has also been Supervisor. D. P. Clark has been a member of the 
B. C. Church many years and is now class-leader. The Messrs. Clark are among the enterprising and 
successful f:irmers of Jefferson Co. 

WILLIAM DOWN, firmer. Sees. 23, 35 and 36 ; P. 0. Oak Hill ; born in Cornwall, Eng., 
Dec. 18, 1830 ; the early part of his life was .spent in England ; he came to America in 1857 and settled 
on the farm he now owns of 200 acres in 1864. Is a Republican and is in accord with Christianity. He 
came to America with no means and is the founder and builder of his own success and now has one of 
the pleasantest of homes. Mr. Down is raising full-blooded Poland-China hogs from the noted herd of JMr. 
Fuller, of Rock Prairie; he also has 117 American Merino sheep and intends to further increase and 
improve his stock. 

JAMES Dl'NSTONE, farmer, Sees. 35 and 36; P. 0. Oak Hill; born in Somersetshire, 
Eng., Feb. 14, 1834 ; came to America in December, 1855, locating in Palmyra, where he was in busi- 
ness in the warehouse; he settled' on a fiirm in Waukesha Co. in 1864, and on the farm he now owns of 
140 acres in 1870. Married Miss Ann Hooper in November, 1860, who died May 10, 1862, leaving one son 
— Harry J. Mr. Dunstone married Miss Elizabeth Dawe in November, 1864; they have four children — 
Martha J., Clarissa L., Mary O. and Elizabeth A. Mr. D. is Independent in politics and liberal in religion, 
supporting all creeds alike ; is also a member of Palmyra Lodge No. 68, A.. F. & A. M. He is one of the 
progressive farmers in his section. 

WILlilAM EBBETT, flirmer, Sees. 32 and 33; P. (). Oak Hill; born in Cornwall, Eng., 
Aug. 1, 1829; came to America in 1854, locating in Ottawa, Waukesha Co., where he resided twelve 
years; removed to the farm he now owns of 300 acres in 1867. Mr. Ebbett has served as local preacher 
in the Bible Christian Churches at Pleasant Valley, Zion, Siloaiu and Palmyra, also Ottawa and Cushman's 
Schoolhouses. He united with the B. C. Church at the age of 17 and has always been an active worker 
in the great cause ; has .served as Sunday-school Superintendent thirty-one successive years. He married 
Miss Caroline Northey, of Heart Prairie, May 19, 1858; they have eight children — Moses H., Bessie E. 




V y$$^~ 




FORT ATKINSON 



SULLIVAN TOWNSHIP. 669 

William C, Gilbert U., Emma E., Mary C., John and Urilla M. Mr. E. is a Republican and has always 
been a strong advocate of temperaftoe. 

HEIVRY L. EDWARDS, farmer, Sec. 29; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Franklin Co., Mass., 
Aug. 12, 1818 ; the early part of his life was spent in Massachiisetts ; 'was in bu.siness five years in Wor- 
cester; came to Wisconsin in 184'j, locating in Jefferson Co.; settled on the farm he now owns of 130 
acres; he has improved and fenced his farm and has just built one of the best barns in his town. He 
married Miss Asenath Green Oct. 1, 1861 ; they have two children — William H. and Auta L. Mr. 
Edwards is a stanch Republican and is in accord with Christianity, though not connected with any sect. 

JOHIV M. EDWARDS, farmer, Sec. 32; P. 0. Palmyra; born in Franklin Co., Mass., 
March 9, 1834; the early part of his life was spent in Massachusetts as a farmer; came to Wisconsin 
with his parents in September, 1856, locating on the farm he now owns of 181 acres. His father died at 
the age of 85 and his mother still lives, hale and hearty, at the same age. Mr. Edwards married Miss 
Lucretia D. Cutting March 6, 1856, who died in December, 1872, leaving four children — Anna J., Frank 
C., Carrie L. and Arthur J. Mr. E. married again Miss Sarah M. Cutting; they have two children — 
Leverne and Lucretia. Mr. E. is a stanch Republican and is, with his wife and mother, an active and 
earnest member of the Hebron M. E. Church, of which he has been Trustee for the past seven years ; 
he is also a charter member of Fort Atkinson Lodge, No. 35, A. O. U. W. 

IjEONARD FIEDLER, farmer. Sec. 1 . P. 0. Golden Lake, Waukesha Co., Wis.; born in 
Wurtemberg, Germany, Nov. 26, 1827 ; came to America in 1846 ; saw his first experience as a pioneer 
in Waukesha Co. Wis.; bought his present farm of eighty-five acres in 1853, and settled on it in 1856 ; 
it was wild, heavily timbered land, but, by hard work and pluck, Mr. Fiedler cleared and improved it; 
he has a large brick house, with roomy barns, etc., all of which he has built since his first settlement. 
Married Caroline Kiebler Nov. 12, 1853; they have five children — Lucy, Caroline, Mary, Katie and 
Emily. Mr. F. is a Republican in politics, and a stirring farmer. 

JOHN A. FRIEDEL, merchant, Rome ; born in the town of Sullivan, Jefferson Co., Wis., 
Sept. 13,1857; he has spent his life and been educated in his native town, attending school in Rome 
under Supt. Collier several terms ; he entered into partnership with L. Shakshesky in December, 1878, 
where they are doing a very satisfactory business. Mr. Friedel married Miss Rosie Pfeifer, of Rome, 
June 23, 1879. He is a Republican, and a member, with his wife, of the Evangelical Church of Rome. 
Mr. F. is regarded as a rising young business man in his native county. 

<wEO'R<wE Jj. GARITY, farmer and carpenter. Sees. 9, 10 and 15; P. 0. Rome; born in 
Canada West Jan. 4, 1837 ; came to Sullivan, Jefferson Co., Wis., with his parents in 1850, 
where he has since lived, and where he learned his trade ; he attended the Third Ward School, of Mil- 
waukee, in 1856 and 1857. Enlisted in Co. C, 53d W. V. L, in September, 1864 ; was transferred to 
Co. K, 51st W. V. I.; was commissioned First Lieutenant in February, 1865, and was transferred to 
Missouri and Kansas, where the regiment did guard duty and was in several skirmishes with bushwhack- 
ers ; the regiment was mustered out Sept. 5, 1865. Returning to his farm of 170 acres, Mr. Garity 
married Miss Mary Connor Oct. 2, 1865 ; they have four children — Franklin J., f]dgar A., Sylvester and 
George L. Mr. Garity is a Democrat ; has been Chairman of the Town Board and Supervisor of the 
town ; is a member, with his wife, of the Catholic Church. 

ROBERT GRAI^T, farmer. Sees. 33, 34 and 35; P. O. Oak Hill; born in Somersetshire, 
England, Sept. 30, 1826 ; came to America in June, 1848, locating in Palmyra; settled on the farm he 
now owns of 164 acres in 1857. He married Miss Elizabeth Uglow, of Cornwall, England, Oct. 3, 1856, 
who came to America in June, 1844; they have two children — Elizabeth A. and Wilmette U. Mr. 
Grant is a stanch Republican, and is liberal in religion. He had nothing to start with in Wiscon.sin, and, 
by hard labor and goo<l management, now has a competence. He made a visit to his native land in 1878. 

E. R. GRIFFITHS, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Sullivan ; born in Wales April 1, 1830 ; came to 
- America in 1841 ; he had followed the sea from the age of 12, and was a sailor during his five years' , 
residence in Boston; came to Wisconsin in 1848, locating at Beaver Dam, where he flirmed seven years; 
went from Wisconsin to Kansas, and remained twelve years in Douglas Co. as a llirmer. He was Second 
Lieutenant in the 1st Kansas Militia, and was in many fights with Price and other bushwhackers. Mr. 
Griffiths sold his Kansas farm and settled on the farm he now owns of 134 acres in 1870. He married 
Miss Ellen Owens July 2, 1878, having previously lost two wives. Mr. G. is a Republican, and a mem- 
ber, with his wife, of the Bethel Church. 

ROBERT HASS, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Rome; born in Prus.sia March 18, 1827 ; the early 
part of his life was spi-nt in Prussia, where he was educated ; came to Wisconsin in 1843, locating in 
Watertown ; was employed in the store of W. H. Besley about sis years; Mr. Hass lived, from 1849 to 



670 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

1866, on a farm one and one-half miles east of Watertown ; then settled on the farm he now owns of 180 
acres. He is a Democrat, and was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 1864 ; was Rej:ist€r of 
Deeds in 1875 and 1876 ; has also been Supervisor and Town Treasurer. He married >Iiss Sophia Zirbel 
Dec. 29, 1847, who died Jan. 7, 1876, leaving six children — Paulina, Charles, Emma, Albertina, Ida and 
Robert F. Mr. Hass married Mrs. Maria Gnewuch Nov. 11, 1877. He is a member of Rome Lodge, 
No. 279, I. 0. 0. F., and is in accord with the Lutheran Church. Mr. Hass is well known as an active 
and reliable business man. 

M. C HEATH, farmer and dealer in forming implements and lumber, Erfurt ; born in Erie 
Co., Penn., March 10, 1837; came to Wisconsin with his father, John Heath, who was among the 
pioneers of 1838 ; spent the first three years in Waukesha Co. without seeing a white face other than 
his lather's ; they then removed to Delafield and lived there five years; settled in Sullivan in 1845, and 
built the reaper and mower works at Heathsburg, now Erfurt ; continued the business about twelve years, 
then removed to Palmyra, where they continued their business two years; John Heath built the first mills 
at Oconomowoc and Delafield. M. C. Heath settled on the farm he now owns of 100 acres in 1859. 
Married Miss Angelina Kellogg, a native of Utica, N. Y., July 3, 1864: they have two children— Eva 
and Earl. Mr. Heath is a Democrat. He enlisted, Aug. 21, 1861, in the 28th W. V. I.; was stationed 
at Plelena, Ark., and was badly hurt by an accident; honorably discharged in 18G2. Mr. H. is in accord 
with and supports Christianity ; is a Master Mason of Palmyra Lodge, No. 68, and has served as Town 
Treasurer. 

N. S. HRBARD, firmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Hebron ; born in Shaftsbury, Bennington Co., Vt., 
Sept. 26, 1812 ; came to Wisconsin in October, 1842 ; located on the farm he now owns of 127 acres ; also 
owns eighty acres in Palmyra ; he pre-empted his land, built a log cabin, and began life as a Jefferson Co. 
pioneer, and is closely identified with its early history. Married Miss Phebe Pardee, of Sullivan, Feb. 
15, 1846; she died Jan. 29, 1848. Mr. Hebard married Mrs. Catharine Perry, of Palmyra, Feb. 25, 
1849 ; they have eight children — Burtis, Paul, Joseph, Giles, Ellen, Lillie, George and Samuel. Mr. 
Hebard is an advocate of the old-time Democratic principles ; was elected Road Commissioner in 1844; 
served seven years ; has been Chairman and member of the Board of Supervisors several terms ; he is one 
of the pioneer farmers of Jefferson Co. who made his choice of location and, by remaining upon it, has 
made a good home for himself and family ; his children were all born upon the homestead, and are all res- 
idents of Jefferson Co. 

91ICHAEL HEL-n, miller and farmer, Erfurt; born in W;ishington Co., Wis., April 2, 
1855 ; has spent his life and been educated in his native State; attended the Spencerian Business College 
of Milwaukee; graduated in July, 1872, when he began the milling business; owns a flouring-mill, with 
three run of stone, also a saw-mill furnished with a circular saw ; both mills run by water-power. Mr. 
Held is a Democrat ; he is a member of Palmyra Lodge, No. 68, F. & A. M. ; also of Rome Lodge, No. 
279, 1. 0. O. F. ; also has fifty acres of land in Sec. 14. 

€H ARLEN J AQUITH, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. O. Oak Hill ; born in Lincoln Co., Me., March 
1, 1818; the early part of his life was spent in his native State; he came to Wisconsin in 1847, remained 
five years; then went to California, and, after five years successful experience as a miner, he returned to 
t\n farm he now owns of 115 acres. He married Miss Mary Straiten, of Waukesha Co., in 1860 ; they 
have seven children — Helen, Charles, Celia, Dora, Emily, Alva and Arvilla. Mr. Jaquith is a Democrat, 
and is liberal in his relii;ious views. 

JOHN liEAN, Jr., farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Oak Hill ; born in Cornwall, England, June 19, 
1839 ; came to America in 1847, locating in Eagle, Waukesha Co., Wis. ; after one year, he removed to 
Sullivan and settled on the farm he now owns of 105 acres in 1867 ; he enlisted, Aug. 18, 1862, in 1st 
Wisconsin Heavy Artillery ; was stationed at Alexandria, Va., and did guard duty ; was in the fight with 
Early when he attacked Washington, and was discharged July 1, 1865. He married Miss Hannah Bur- 
ton in November, 1867 ; they have three children — George, Clara and Olive. Mr. Lean is a Republican, 
and liberal -in religion. 

«. <iiEOR(]iE S. EOCKWOOD, M. D., Rome, born in Orange Co. N., Y., Aug. 22, 1843; 
came to Wisconsin at the age of 4 years with his parents, who located in Concord, Jefferson Co., where he 
lived until April 18, 1861, when he enlisted in the 3d "W. V. L; was with the Army of the Potomac in 
the battle of Winchester ; was captured and held prisoner four months ; was also in the great battles of 
Chaneellorsville, Gettysburg and others ; w;is transferred to the Army of the Cumberland and fought with 
Sherman at Dallas, Resaea, Kenesaw Mountain and was ]>resent at the capture of Atlanta ; marched with 
Sherman to the sea, then through the Carolinas to Goldsboro, N. C; the regiment was discharged in July, 
1865. Mr. Lockwood began the study of medicine with Dr. H. M. Edsell in 1866 in Orange Co., N. Y., 



I 



SULLIVAN TOWNSHIP. 671 

entering the Medical Department of the Michigan University in October, 1868 ; he received his diploma as 
physician and surgeon March 30, 1870 ; he began practice in Rome in the same year and now has one of 
the most pleasant homes in the village. He married Miss Lummie Shakshesky, of Rome, Aug. 1, 1874; 
they have one daughter — Millie A., born Oct. .30, 1878. The Doctor is Independent in politics, support- 
ing men and principles instead of party ; he is in earnest accord with Christianity ; member of Rome 
Lodge, No. 279, I. 0. 0. F. 

IVORY LONGLEY, farmer, Sees. 13 and 24: P. 0. Sullivan ; born in Monroe Co., N. Y., 
Nov. 9, 1821 ; the early part of his life was spent in his native county, where he was educated ; came to 
Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1845, locating on forty acres of wild land, which he broke up and improved ; to 
this he has added wild and improved land, and now has 400 acres ; he began with but little, and is the archi- 
tect of his own fortune; was in partnership with his brother, and, after fourteen years, they divided 1,000 
acres between them. Mr. Longley married Miss S. Elsie Cheever in 1845, who died in 1849, leaving 
one daughter — Adelia. He married Miss Mary Riddle in 1851 ; they have seven children — Antoinette, 
Adele, James, Byron, Arthur, Hattie and Pearl. Mr. Longley is a stanch Republican, and is in accord 
with Christianity ; he is closely identified with the growth and prosperity of his adopted county, and owns 
one of its best farms. 

W. H. LEAN, farmer, Sees. 15, 22 and 23; P. 0. P]rfurt; born in Waukesha Co., Wis., May 

22, 1847. Mr. Lean has spent his life and been educated in his native State ; he settled on the farm he 
now owns of 160 acres in 1872. Married Miss Hannah L. Bray, of Palmyra, Aug. 22, 1872; they 
have two children — J]thel and Edith. Mr. Lean is a Republican, and is liberal in his religious views ; he 
is a son of G. L. L. Lean, a native of Cornwall, England, and one of the pioneers of Wisconsin. He has 
a pleasant home, si.x and one-half miles north of Palmyra and one-half mile from Erfurt. 

JAMES McCABJN, carpenter and joiner, Rome ; born iu County Antrim, Ireland, June 20, 
1815 ; the early part of his life was spent in Ireland and England, where he learned his tra^e ; came to 
America in IS-tO, and lived nine years in Pittsburgh, Penn ; during this time, he spent one year in Min- 
nesota and Wisconsin, and erected the first building in P],au Claire; settled in Rome in 1849, and is one 
of its first settlers. Married Miss Mary H. Wright, of Pittsburgh, Aug. 4, 1849 ; they have five chil- 
dren — William A., Mary E., Joseph H., Daniel B. and Lorenzo C. Mr. McCann is a Republican ; has 
been Town Treasurer, Town Supervisor, and is United States Storekeeper by appointment in 1874; he is 
one of the pioneers of the Northwest, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

JOHN MeFAKLANE, farmer. Sec. 30 ; P. O. Hebron ; born in Glasgow, Scotland, May 

23, 1845 ; came to America the same year, with his parents, John and Julia A. McFarlane ; settled on the 
farm now owned by the brothers John and George McFarlane, of 180 acres ; Mr. McFarlane has spent his 
life in Jefferson Co., and was educated at Milton ; he has taught eleven terms of school in Jefferson Co.; 
taught the village school in Rome during fall and winter of 1877-78. Mr. McFarlane is a Republican. 
His parents died on the homestead. 

GEORGE B. MATHEWS, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Rome ; born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., May 
14, 1S31 ; spent his early life and was educated in his native county; came to Jefferson Co., Wis., in 
1853 ; worked about ten years in the factory at Waitsville, then settled on his present farm of eighty 
acres; began with sixty acres of unimproved land, without buildings. Mr. M. went at his work with true 
pioneer grit, and now has his well-improved farm and pleasant home. Married Miss Zuletla Baldwin, a 
native of Racine Co., Wis., then a resident of Farmington, Sept. 18, 1859; they have two children — 
Carrie J. and Alice E. Mr. Mathews is a Republican and an enterprising farmer ; has twelve horned 
cattle, four horses, sheep, hogs, etc. 

JOHN MAUL, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. O. Rome ; born in Fifeshire, Scotland, Dec. 23, 1842 ; came 
to America in 1854, and located in Sullivan in 1855 ; settled on his present farm of 160 acres in 1856 ; 
the farm was then a forest, and has been cleared and improved by the pluck and industry of its owner. 
Married, in July, 1863, Miss Mary Turner; they have two sons — William and John. Mr. Maul is, in 
politics, a Republican, and is independent of church or secret orders ; he is one of the wide-awake farmers, 
and has made his own farm and home ; he has the usual stock and crops of his county. 

WILLIAM MILLER, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Golden Lake, Waukesha Co.; born in Germany 
in 1834 ; came to America in 1857, and settled on the farm he now owns of 120 acres in 1866 ; the farm 
was covered with timber, and by his own labor Mr. Miller has cleared it off and made a good home for 
himself and family. He married Miss Lucy Wilder in 1857 ; they have three children — William, Philip 
and Louisa. Mr. Miller is a liberal Democrat, and votes for the best men and measures. Is a member, 
with his fiimily, of the Lutheran Church. He is now a member of the Town Board, and is well known 
and respected. He came to America with but little, and is a self-made man. 



672 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

EARL XEWTOW, farmer, Sees. 10, 5 and 2 ; P. 0. Erfurt; born in Windsor Co., Vt., in"" 
November, 1819 ; the early part of hi.s life was spent in Genesee Co., N. Y., where he was educated ; came 
to Palmyra. Jefl'erson Co., in 1842 ; went to California in 1853, and returned in 185tj ; settled on the farm 
he now owns of 320 acres in 1857. Married Miss Mary Brown, of Genesee Co., N. Y., April 27, 1841 : 
they have six children — Herman B., Hattie, Alta, Frank, Mary and Ada. Mr. Newton is a Democrat ; 
has been Chairman of the Town Board several terms, and was elected Sherifl" of Jefferson Co. in 1877 ; is 
liberal in religion. Mr. Newton is one of the successful pioneer farmers, and has just built a fine two-story 
brick farmhouse in place of the log house of earlier days. 

CHARLES L. NOTBOHM, farmer. Sec. 2; P.O. Golden Lake, Waukesha Co., Wis. ; 
born in Brunswick June 28, 1832 ; came tu America in 1848, locatin^on the faruv he now owns of 100 
acres. His father, Henry Notbohm, built a steam saw-mill near this farm, which he kept in successful 
operation many years. Charles L. married Miss Jennie Furman, of Concord, Sept. 17, 1865; they have 
one son — Willard, born July 3, 18G8. Mr. Notbohm is a Republican, and is in accord with the 
Lutheran Church ; he is one of the .successful farmers of this county. 

IIE]VRV C. NOTBOHM, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Golden Lake, Waukesha Co., Wi.s. : born 
in Brunswick Jan. 20, 1830; came to America with his parents in 1848, and located on the farm he now 
owns of seventy-seven acres. Mr. Notbohm was with his father in the steam saw-mill several years. He 
married Miss Albertina Kruger, of Grafton, Ozaukee Co., Wis., July 25, 1871 ; they have two children — 
Arthur and Reynold. Mr. Newton is a Rejiublican, and a Director of the Town Insurance Co. ; is a mem- 
ber, with his family, of the Lutheran Church. He enlisted in 18G4 in 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, and was 
stationed at Fort Lyon till the close of the war. 

AOOLPH SCHEUBER, merchant, farmer and Postmaster, Erfurt; born in Prussia Jan. 
23, 1833; ho came to America July 18, 1849 ; resided three years in Waukesha Co. ; he then went to 
California via New York, Central America and Mexico, and remained two years ; returning, he settled in 
Waukesha Co., and located in Erfurt in 1855 ; he owns about 1,800 acres of land, mostly swamp in Sulli- 
van ; he owns the only store in Erfurt, where he keejis the usual assortment of a country store. Mr. 
Scheuber is a Democrat; he was ai)pointed Postmaster in 1867 ; was elected Register of Deeds in 1868, 
and to the Wisconsin Legislature, where he served the term of 1877 ; he has also served as Superintendent 
of the Poor four years. Married Henrietta Kraus May 9, 1854; they have eight children — Matilda, 
Charles, William, Adolph, Frank, Helen, Mildred and Clara, all residents of Jefferson Co. Mr. Scheuber 
is a member of several secret societies. 

THOMAS SCOLLARD, farmer, Sees. 5, 8 and 9 ; P. 0. Rome ; born in Kerry Co., Ireland, 
in 1838; came to America in 1846, with his father, David Scollard, locating in Sullivan, where he has 
since lived ; he settle 1 on the farm he now owns of 226ii acres in 1864. Mr. Scollard is a Democrat, and 
has held the office of Supervisor three terms ; he is a Catholic ; is raising cattle, hogs and Black Cloud 
horses ; owns four of the latter at the present time. 

LOWEIili C. SEARS, farmer. Sec. 17; P.O. Rome; born in Oneida Co.,N. Y., May 13, 1833; 
came to Wisconsin with his ]iarents in 1843, via Lake Erie to Detroit, and across the country to Jefferson Co., 
where he has since lived. As one of the first settlers, he saw many of the rugged experiences of those days. 
Mr. Sears settled on the liirm he now owns of eighty acres in 1848. Married Miss Catherine Bonheimmer 
in 1857; they have five children — Rhoda A., Lottie, Nellie, Clara and Bertha. Mr. Sears is a Repub- 
lican, and a member of Rome Lodge, No. 279, I. 0. O. F. ; is liberal in his religious views. He enlisted 
in November, 1863, in the 1st Wis. Heavy Artillery, and was stationed at Alexandria, Va., till the close of 
the war, doing garrison duty; with the rank of Corporal was discharged with his regiment .\ug. 31, 1865. 

ElItirEXE S. SHAKSHESKY, merchant and Postmaster, Rome^ born near the City of 
Posen in August, 1846; came to America with his parents at 4 years of age; lived several years in 
Bridgeport, Conn. ; removed to Janesville, Wis., where he attended the High School and Commercial 
College in that city ; after three 3'ears, tlie family removed to Potter Co., Penn., where they kept hotel. 
Mr. Shakshesky commenced his present business in Rome, in June, 1865, where he is doing a very satis- 
factory business ; has a complete stock of drj- goods, groceries, drugs, paints, oils, crockery, hardware, tin- 
ware, boots and shoes and furs, besides read^'-made clothing, hats and caps, sewing machines and farming 
implements. He will complete a large two-story brick store this fall. Mr. S. married Miss Clara 
Wilsermann, of Watertown, May 2, 1875 ; they have two children — Eugenie L. C. and Emma A. He is 
a Republican, and has been Town Treasurer two terms ; is a member of Rome Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., also of 
Watertown Lodge, Herman's Sons. 

li. \V. SHAKSHESKY, of Shakshesky & Friedel, merchants, Rome ; born in Bridge- 
port, Conn., March 17, 1854 ; spent four years of his life at Germania, Penn., where he attained the 



SITLLIVAN TOWNSHIP. 673 

rudiments of his English and German education ; came to Rome and attended school until he was 14; then 
learned the business of cigar-making in Milwaukee and spent one year in Georgia; returning to Rome, ho 
attended school until he was 17, then went to Chicago and was in a store five years ; opened business for 
himself in Rome in 1S78, where, with his partner, he is carrying a large stock of dry-goods, groceries, 
hardware, paints and oils, crockery, hats and caps, boots and shoes, tinware of their own manufocture, sew- 
ing-machines, patent medicines, notions, etc. Mr. S. is Independent in politics, liberal in religion and is a 
member of Rome Lodi:e, I. (). (). F. 

CHARLEf>$ 'THOMPSON, blacksmith, Oak Hill; born in Dorsetshire, Eng., Feb. 14, 
1842; came to America in 1855, locating in Wilmot, Kenosha Co., Wis., where he learned his trade ; 
after eight years, he removed to Ottawa, Jefferson Co. ; settled in Oak Hill in IStJG, where he has since 
done a successful business. He married Miss Mary Crerar Jan. 1, 18(37. Mr. Thompson is a Repub- 
lican ; is liberal in religion. He has a pleasant home in the village and owns 209 acres of land in Sullivan 
and Palmyra. Has had a long and satisfactory experience in blacksmithing. 

WALTER THOMAS, farmer. Sec. 34; P. 0. Oak Hill; bwu in Rens.selaer Co., N. Y., 
Nov. 15, 1809 ; came to Wisconsin in August, 1845; settled on the farm he now owns of 150 acres in 1848. 
He married Miss Eliza A. Spicer, of Allegany Co., N. Y., Feb. 9, 1840, who died Sept. 10, 1874, leaving 
eight children — -Maria L., George, Mary, John, Catherine, Margaret, Walter and Willard E. Mr. Thomas 
is a Democrat ; is independent and liberal in religion, and is one of the early settlers who began with 
little and by his own eft'erts now has a good home. 

HENRY TURNER, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Rome ; born in London, Ena:., June 14, 1830 ; 
came to America with his parents in 1833 ; settled in Jeiferson Co. in 1844, on a piece of Government 
land; now owns 200 acres. He married Miss Janette Maul in 1858 ; she died in 1869, leaving tw.i 
children — William and Mary. Mr. Turner married Miss Helen Smith in 1871 ; they have three children 
— Henry , John and Myron. Mr. Turner is a Republican, and one of the successful farmers ; is raising fuli- 
blood and grade Durham cattle, American Merino and Leicester sheep, Berkshire hogs, etc. ; is a life mem- 
ber of the Jefferson Co. Agricultural Society. Mr. T. enlisted in 1864 in the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery 
and was stationed at Fort Willard. near Washiniiton, till the close of the war; discharged in June, 1865. 

ANDREW WAETHER, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Golden Lake, Wauke.sha Co., Wis.; born 
in Germany in 1829 ; came to America in 1854 and lived eleven years in Waukesha Co. and' settled on 
the farm he now owns of eighty acres in 1866. He married Miss Sophia Gaul in 1852; they have fi\e 
children — Charles, John, Philip, Sarah and Mary. Mr. Walther is a Democrat and a member of Summit 
Grange, No. 94. He came to America with little means and, by his labor and prudence, has improved his 
farm and now has one of the most pleasant homes in his town. His eldest son is a merchant at Ocono- 
mowoc ; John is farming in Summit, Waukesha Co., and Philip is on the homestead. 

JOHN WARD, farmer and blaok,smith. Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Oak Hill; born in Cornwall, Eng., 
Feb. 18, 1823; came to America in September, 1845, locating in the town of Aztalan, where he lived 
two years; he resided and worked at his trade in Fort Atkinson ton years, and settled on the farm he now 
owns of 140 acres in 1857. He married Miss Jane Uglow, of Sullivan, in 1847; they have two children 
— Mary C. and Clarence E. Mr. Ward is now a Republican and was a strong advocate of the Free Soil 
principles ; is in accord with the Bible Christian Church and gives it his hearty support. He saw many 
of the hardships of those early days and came near being devoured by a pack of wolves near Aztalan ; he 
is one of the successful farmers and has a well-improved farm, with sorghum mill, blacksmith-.shop, etc. 

JAMES WEBSTER, merchant and Postmaster, Oak Hill; born in Yorkshire, England, 
Feb. 12, 1832 ; came to America in 1853, locating in Knox Co., Ohio; from there, he went to Richland 
Co., Ohio; was in business with his brother; removed to Bloomington, 111., and was in a woolen-mill ; 
came to Wisconsin in 1865 ; firmed and dealt in stock in Green Co. several years; located in Oak Hill in 
1869, where he keeps a general country stock of goods, and is doing a good bu.siness. Mr. Webster mar- 
ried Miss Alice S. Suttleworth, of Richland Co., Ohio, Sept. 21, 1860; they have four children— Will- 
iam, George E., Mary I*], and Alice S. Mr. W. has always been a Republican ; he was appointed Post- 
master in 1870. Has led a busy and useful life, and is known as a successful and reliable business man. 

DAVID J. WILLIAMS, former. Sec. 36; P. 0. Sullivan; born in Wales May 20, 1829; 
came to America in 1847, locating on the farm he now owns of 160 acres ; he also owns 120 acres in 
Waukesha Co. Married Miss Ann Parry, of Iowa Co., Iowa, Jan. 2, 1867 ; they have three children — 
Elizabeth A., Mary E., and David J. ; Ishmael M. died May 10, 1879 Mr. Williams is a Republican, 
and a member, with his fivmily, of the Bethel Church, of which he is Deacon. Mr. Williams is one of 
the successful farmers of Jefferson Co., who began with but little, and has since improved and extended 
his firm, and now has one of the best in his section. 



fi74 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 



CONCORD TOWNSHIP. 

JOHN ii. AL'LMiEBROOK, farmer, Sec. 3; P.O. Concord; born in Nottinghamshire, 
England, in 1804; spent his early life in England as a farmer and miller ; came to America in 1842, and 
spent one winter in Waukesha Co. ; settled on the farm he now owns, of eighty acres, in 1843 ; the farm 
Wits a wilderness of heavy timber, and they were a pioneer family in earnest ; no roads or bridges then 
existed ; the family was the first to settle north of the Oconomowoc River in Concord. Married, May 5, 
1834, Miss Martha Cocking, of his native country; they have four children — Edward. Alfred, Alexander 
and Eliza. Mr. A. is a stanch Republican, and is a well-known pioneer. His son Edward is on the 
farm with him. 

D. D. CAPEX, farmer, Sees. 23 and 24; P. 0. Oconomowoc; born in the town of Mansfield, 
Tolland Co., Conn., Oct. 4, 1820 ; his early life was spent in his native State, where he was educated ; he 
was engaged in selling goods many years, in various Eastern States about seven years; came to Wisconsin in 
August, 1845, and settled on the farm he now owns, of 137 acres; it was Government land, covered with 
heavy timber, and Mr. Capon led a busy life clearing up his farm and making a home; he .saw and experi- 
enced the usual privations of the early settlers, and has bought and sold much land since his first pur- 
chase. Married Miss Eliza Warner July 14, 1845 ; they have four living children — Orlando E. and 
Leaader E. (t^insj, Arthur J. and Ida. Mr. Capen is a Republican ; has been Supervisor, and took the 
first asse.-isment in Concord, in 1846. He sold his farm in 1876, but was obliged to take it again after a 
two years' residence in Waukesha Co. He has cattle, horses, hogs and the usual crops. 

EI»WARI> R. CHAPMAN, M. D., Concord;' bom in Harrisville, Ohio, Nov. 14, 
1823 ; his early life was spent in his native State, where he was educated^ and began the study 
of medicine with Dr. Cass in 1847 ; he studied medicine in the Western Reserve College, Cleveland, in 
1848 and 18411, and came to Concord, Jefferson Co., Wis., May 25, 1850 ; he has since been a resident of 
Concord, where he has practiced his chosen profession. The Doctor married Miss Teresa Burow Jan. 18, 
1872. He is a stanch Republican in jiolitiei. and is a well-known practitioner in the county. 

NATHANIEL CRA.UER, deceased; born in Woodbury, Richfield Co., Conn., Nov. 10, 
1814; he spent his younger days and was educated in his native State, working many years as a clock- 
maker in Bristol ; came to Watertown, Wis., in 1849, and after one year, settled on forty acres of wild 
land, with nothing upon it but heavy timber and a log house; here he began pioneer life, and here his wife 
and son now reside ; the farm now contains forty-six acres, with good improvements. He married Miss 
Almira A. Moore, of New Hartford, Conn., .May 28, 1837. Mr. Cramer died April 9, 1877, leaving one 
daughter, Mary F., now the wife of Daniel Lawson, and one son, Frederick A., who is now in charge of 
the homestead, and who has made many substantial improvements upon it. He married Miss Phebe A. 
Lindsley, of Petersburg, N. J., May 23, 1873 ; they have three children — Ada B., Blanche G. and Ber- 
tie A. Mr. Cramer is a Democrat, and one of the enterpri.sing young farmers. 

<i}EOR(wE EVANS, farmer and carpenter. Sec. 28; P. 0. Concord; born in Clyman, Dodge 
Co., Wis., Dec. 31, 1849; came to Concord with his parents, Richard and Sarah Evans, May 8, 1850; 
here he has been educated and learned his trade. Married Miss Martha Hanson, of Concord, Nov. 14. 
1874; Mr. Evans owns the old homestead of fifty acres which his father bought of the Government ; it 
was at this time a forest, but the pluck and energy of father and son have cleared it and made of it a 
gojJ h)me. .NIr. Kviris is a Djm ) ;rat, and is one of the stirring young farmers. 

HENRV EORNCRtM^K, blacksmith and wagon-maker. Concord ; born in Montgomery Co., 
N. Y., April 19, 1,S23; his early life was spent in his native State, where he learned his trade; he 
worked Seven years at journey work in Fultonville. N. Y., and began business for himself in 1850; came 
to Concord, Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1855, where he has since resided and done business. Married Miss 
Eliza Osterhout, of his native county, Dec. 31, 1848, they have three children — lohn H., Charles and 
Ida A. Mr. Forncrook is a Republican, and is well and favor.iblj' known in his community. His chil- 
dren alf reside in thi'ir native county. 

JOHN FR1I>AV, farmer. Sec. 29; P.O. Concord; born in Saxony April 14, 1829; he 
spent his early life in his native country; came to America in 1848, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where 
he worked on the first railroad in the city; spent six years in the Michigan copper mines, and came to 
Wisconsin in 1854, locating on Sec. 7, town of Farminsjton, Jefferson Co.; the land was covered with 
heavy timber, and, after many years of toil, he sold and removed to the farm he now owns of seventy-four 



CONCORD TOWNSHIP. 675 

acres in 18G4. Married Miss Ann Connolly, of County Clare, Ireland, June 17, 1856 ; they have 
five children — Annie J., Harvey, William H., James A. and Mary F. Mr. Friday is a Democrat, and a 
member of the Lutheran Church ; Mrs. Friday is of the Catholic faith. Mr. and Mr,s. F. have seen their 
full share of this world's hardships, and now enjoy the fruits of their toil ; have a well-improved farm and 
a substantial brick house. 

ArSTIN HOLCOIIB, farmer, See. 7 ; P. 0. Farmington ; born in Lorain Co., Ohio, June 
27, 1830 ; spent his early life in Ohio ; came to Concord in June, 1851 ; worked many years as a farm 
laborer, and, after his marriage, settled on his present farm of eishty acres. Married Miss Abbie J. 
Wanzer March 24, 1859 ; they have seven children — Martha E., Loammi, Charles W., Abbie M., Will- 
iam G., Austin and Maud L. Mr, Iloleomb is a Republican and a member of Farmington Lodge, No. 
35, I. 0. 0. F. ; he began life with nothing, and is one of the self-made men of his county. 

AL-OXZO I]VGERSOL,L, farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0. Concord; born in Vernon, Oneida Co., N. 
Y., May 6, 1821 ; spent his early life in his native State, and came to Watertown, Wis., in 1842; after 
one year, he settled on the farm he now owns of eighty acres ; it was Governmept land, covered with 
heavy timber. Mr. IngersoU worked as a pioneer many years, and, as a result, has an improved farm and 
a good home ; he experienced many of the privations, but had true York State pluck. Married Miss 
Julia Walker in 1847, who died in 1849. Married Miss Adria Hill, of Concord, May 20, 1851 ; their 
only son, Julius L., was born April 18, 1854; he has spent his life and been educated in his native 
county ; was a student at Elroy Seminary about one year, and has taught two terms of school in the 
county ; the father and son are Democrats; J. L. lugersoll is a member of Farmington Lodge No. 35, I. 
O. 0. F. 

THOMAS jflcGEE, farmer, Sees. 23, 26 and 27 ; P. 0. Concord ; born in County Louth, 
Ireland, in 1818; his early life was passed in Ireland; came to America in 1849, locating in Concord; 
bought heavily timbered land, which he cleared and still owns ; bought his present homestead in 1851 ; has 
worked hard and been very successful, as he now owns 357 acres of improved land. Married Miss Mary 
McGorman July 17, 1855; they have seven children living — Michael, Mary, Rosey, Margaret, Annie, 
Emma and Martha. Mr. McGee is a Democrat ; has been Justice of the Peace two terms, and is Treas- 
urer and an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. As one of its successful farmers, Mr. McGee 
is identified with the history and progress of Jeflerson Co. 

JAjflES MctJINNIS, farmer. Sec. 29; P. 0. Concord; born in County Louth, Ireland, Sept. 
25, 1832; came to America with his father, Patrick McGinnis, in 1848; has since resided in Concord, 
and settled on his present farm of 100 acres in 1858. Married Miss Margaret Garrity, of Sullivan, Feb. 
15, 1838 ; they have nine children living — Mary, Margaret, Catherine, James, Barnard, John, Elizabeth, 
Frances and Thomas. Mr. McGinnis is a strong advocate of Democratic principles, and has been Town 
Treasurer, Assessor and Justice of the Peace many years ; is now Justice of the Peace ; is a Catholic and 
farmer, who has cleared his farm of heavy timber and made a good home. 

PATRICK McGIlV'JfIS, farmer, Sees. 29 and 32 ; P. O. Concord ; born in County Louth, 
Ireland, Feb. 14, 1838; came to America with his parents in 1848, locating in Concord, where he has 
since lived; enlisted in February, 1864, in the 36th W. V. I., and was with his regiment through the 
sieges of Richmond and Petersburg ; was in pursuit of Lee and a witness of his surrender ; then went to 
Lynchburg, Va., and returned to Washington, via Richmond, and took part in the final grand review; the 
regiment was discharged at JefFersonville. Ind., July 22, 1865 ; it is one of which Wisconsin should be 
proud, as it made a proud record. Mr. McGinnis settled on his present farm of ISO acres in 1868, and 
married Miss Mary Ward, of Ottawa, Waukesha Co., Wis., Oct. 19, 1868; they have four children — 
Ellen, hidward, Andrew and Mary. Mr. McGinnis is a Democrat, and one of the enterprising, self-reliant 
farmers of his county. 

JOHN MOORE, farmer, Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Rome; born in St. Lawrence Co., Canada, March 16, 
1826 ; removed to the State of New York with his parents, when very young, and remained five years: 
they then removed to Ashtabula Co., Ohio. Mr. Moore came to Sullivan, Jefferson Co., Wis., where he 
began as a farm laborer ; after foiir years, he returned to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and married, Sept. 19, 
1850, Mi.ss Luretta Hill, who was born in the county; they have ten children living — Hannah, Louisa 
A., Herbert L., Alice A., Emma S., Nancy G., William, Mary F., Jasper and Angeline. Mr. Moore is a 
Republican, and has been Treasurer and Asse.s.sor in Sullivan many years. He settled on the farm he now 
owns of eighty acres in 1866 ; has on his farm a sorghum-mill and lime-kiln. He made 2,600 gallons of 
soruhuni sirup in 1878, and sells from 2,000 to 3,000 bushels of lime per annum. 

SMITH MOORE, farmer. Sees. 12 and 13; P. 0. Oconomowoc ; born in Rutland Co., Yt., 
April 15, 1816 ; he left his native State at 10 years of age, with his parents, and settled in Essex Co., N. 



676 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Y. He lived seven years in Monroe Co., then removed to Allegany Co., where he took contracts in build- 
ing the Genesee Valley Canal and New York & Erie Railroad. He came to Oconomowoc, Wis., in June, 
1844; after two years, he removed to Summit, Waukesha Co., where he resided till 1S54, when he settled 
on eighty acres of land, which he now owns. By hard work, pluck and skill, lie now has a well-improved 
farm of 320 acres. He married Miss Emil}- Marchant, of Washington Co., N. Y., June 7, 1842; they 
have four living children — Ellen, Franklin W., La Fayette and Lucy F. Mr. Moore is a stanch Demo- 
crat ; was Supervisor, Town Treasurer, and has been Justice of the Peace twelve consecutive years ; he is 
one of the piogressive farmers, has been a grower of hops over twenty years, and has now thirty head of 
cattle, nine horses, beside sheep and hoirs. 

<jKORGE W. PATTEE, M. D., Concord ; born in Highgate, Chittenden Co., Yt., Oct. 
18, 1831); his early life was spent in Palmyra, Wis., he having located in Wisconsin in the fall of 1846, 
with his parents. The Doctor was educated in Palmyra, and began the study of medicine with his father. 
Dr. Ilichard Pattee, in 1860. Entering the Medical Department of the Northwestern University, Chicago, 
he graduated as physician and surgeon March 22, 1870; he then located in Concord, where he has since 
resided and practiced. On the 11th of October, 1870, he married Miss Theda L. Kellogg, of Concord ; they 
have one daughter — Belle K. The Doctor is a Democrat in politics, and a member in good standing of 
Palmyra Tiodge, No. 68. F., & A. M., also of Oconomowoc Chapter, No. 47, R. A. M. 

J. 1>. PETBIE, farmer. Sees. 16 and 21 ; P. 0. Concord ; born in Little Falls, Herkimer Co., 
N. Y., Nov. 18, 1822 ; spent his early life in Little Falls, where he was educated, and came to Concord, 
Jefferson Co., Wis., in September, 1843. He bought State land which was at this time a wilderness of 
timber and brush. Mr. Petrie did his full share of the pioneer work incident to those days, as he had lit- 
tle or nothing to begin with ; he literally chopped out his farm and home, and now has 210 acres of well- 
improved land as a reward. He married Miss J. F. Holcomb Feb. 25, 1847 ; the}' have four children liv- 
ing — Ellen L., EUery C, Irvins; W. and Harley H. Mr. Petrie is a Republican, and has been Chairman 
of the Town Board and Town Clerk many years ; he was Town Superintendent of schools under the old 
system, and was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 1861 and also in 1867. As one of the success- 
ful pioneer farmers, he has full-blooded and grade Durham cattle, beside horses and hogs. 

ISAAC POE, deceased ; born in Medina Co., Ohio, in 1822; spent his early days in Ohio, and 
married, Jan. 11, 1843, Miss Polly Holcomb, of his native county; they came to Concord in 1846, and 
bought a piece of land so covered with timber that Mr. Poe had to cut trees before he could build. The 
young couple had their allotted share of the pioneer privations, but kept bravely at work, cleared up the 
farm and made a good home. Mr. Poe enlisted in 1862 in the 29th W. V. I. ; wa.s made Fourth Ser- 
geant, and died at Helena, Ark., March 7, 1863 ; he lies buried in Concord. His death was deplored by a 
large circle of old friends and numerous relatives ; he left seven children — Frances M., Chauncy W., Cinder- 
ella, David W., Flaville W., Theodore J. and Ida E. His wife still resides on the old homestead of 115 
acres, with the two younger children. 

JOHX SEEL, farmer. Sees. 11 and 14; P. 0. Concord; born in Hessian Germany, Feb. 3, 
1828; came to America with his parents in 1832, locating in Medina Co., Ohio ; after six years, they 
went to Cuyahoga Co., and remained till 1853, when Mr. Sell came to Concord, Jefferson Co., Wis., where 
he has since lived; sold his farm on Section 29, and settled.on his present farm of 160 acres in 1865; he 
has made all his improvements, built his large barns, etc., and has just finished a new brick farmhouse. 
Married Miss Catherine Usinger in 1853 ; they have twelve'children — Mary, Catherine, Susan, Margaret, 
Jacob L., John N., Rachel, Melvina, George, Herman, Edward and Frederick. Mr. Sell is a Democrat, 
and has been Chairman of his town thirteen years, and now holds the office ; is also a Director of the 
County Agricultural Society, and a member of the Temple of Honor ; he is a very successful farmer, and 
has twentv-two head of cattle, three horses, beside sheep and hoKS. 

CHARLES SPE\CE, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Concord; born in London, England, Feb. 14, 
1840 ; came to America with his parents in 184S, locating in Concord, Jefferson Co.. Wis. ; here he has 
since lived with the exception of six or seven years spent in the mines of Colorado, Utah, Montana and 
Idaho. HeVeturned in 1870, and located on the old homestead of 335 acres; this was the farm of his 
father, Richard Spence, who died May 19, 1875, leaving eight children — William. .Mary A.. Richard, 
Elizabeth, George, John, Charles and Edward. The subject of this sketch married Miss Mary E. Spauld- 
ing Maroh 5, 1875 ; they have three children — Lillie, Samuel and Myrtle. Mr. Spence is a Democrat, 
and is liberal in religion ; has been a Supervisor, and with his brother is well known and respected in the 
countv. 

MRS. LUCINDA TAYLOR, Sec. 9; P. O. Concord; bom in Schoharie Co., N. Y., 
March 31, 1816 ; at the age of 10, came with her parents to Michigan, where she lived until June, 1838, 



COKCORD TOWKSHIP. 677 

when she came to Jefferson Co., Wis., with her husband, Williavn Dunning, whom she married in Wayne 
Co., Mich. ; the young couple settled on the farm of forty-nine acres, where Mrs. T. now lives with her son 
Clinton ; the farm was a wilderness of timber and brush, and they suffered the usual privations incident 
to the times. Mr. D. was a carpenter, and built many of the substantial old buildings in his town ; he 
had a good home fliirly under way when he died of cholera, July 23, 184(i, leaving four children — Jane, 
Miles, Charles and Clinton. Mrs. Dunning married Robert Taylor in 1851, who died in 1862. Clinton 
Dunning was born on the old firm Nov. 25, 1847 ; has spent his life and been educated in his native 
county, though he lived one year in Illinois, and was a raftsman on the Mississppi two seasons, he also 
resided two seasons in Minnesota. In Faribault, Minn., he married, Oct. 7, 1874, Miss Ella Piper, of 
Sauk Co., Wis. ; they have two children — Nadia Peari and Essie. Mr. Dunning is a Republican, and 
one of the successful young farmers of his native county. 

EHIERSOW H. THAYER, former. Sec. 16; P. 0. Concord; born in town of Concord, 
April 17, 1856 ; son of Rev. W. H. Thayer, who came to Concord in 1844. The family are closely identi- 
fied with the early history of this county, as three generations have lived here. W. H. Thayer died Oct. 
15, 1876, leaving a wife and five children — Emerson, Nelson, Lewis, Sarah and Clara, who died in 1876. 
Emerson Thayer has spent his life in Jefferson Co., with the exception of four years in Sauk and Vernon 
Cos., as a student and teacher ; he has taught in his native county, and intends to continue the pro- 
fession. He has fifty acres of the old farm ; is a Republican and in sympathy with the U. B. Church of 
his fother. 

JOi^EPH T. VANDERVEEAR, farmer and carpenter. Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Concord ; born 
in Montgomery Co., N. Y., Feb. 13, 1829; spent his younger years in his native State, where he was 
educated and learned his trade; he came to Dodge Co., Wis., in April, 1856, and after six months settled 
in Concord, where he has since lived. Enlisted in February, 1865, in the 47th W. V. I., and was with 
his regiment in Tennessee and Alabama in pursuit of guerrillas ; was discharged with the rest in Septem- 
ber, 1865. He married Miss Nancy A. Osterhout, of Montgomery Co., N. Y., Feb. 19, 1861 ; they have 
two children — Miles E. and Roba M. Mr. V. is a Democrat, and has been Town Clerk during the past 
eight years, and now holds the office ; he has been very successful at his business, and has erected many 
good buildings. 

LAURENCE VAIIGHX, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Concord ; born in County Tipperary, 
Ireland, in May, 1803 ; his younger days were spent in Ireland as a farmer; came to America in 1840, 
locating at Troy, N. Y. ; worked on the Erie Canal one year, spent three or four years in Rensselaer Co., 
N. Y., and came to Wisconsin in 1846 ; after three years' residence in Milwaukee Co., he located in Con- 
cord, settled on Section 24, and after two vears, removed to his present farm of ninety-five acres ; the land 
was heavily timbered, and Mr. Vaughn did good work as a pioneer; as a result, he has an improved farm 
and a good home. Married Miss Margaret Reardon, who died in September, 1877, leaving ten children — 
Phillip, Michael, Margaret, Catherine, Ellen, James, John, Laurence, Timothy and Peter. Michael served 
three years in the 28th W. V. I. Regiment, and is now living in Minnesota, as are Phillip, John and Lau- 
rence ; Timothy and Peter are on the old form, and the daughter resides in Jeft'erson Co. Mr. Vaughn 
is a Republican, and a member of the Catholic Church. 

JOHN WHITE, farmer. Sees. 14 and 11 ; P. 0. Concord; born in Orange Co., N. Y., June 
29, 1843; he came to Wisconsin with his parents when 7 years of age, locating in Concord, where he 
has spent his life and been educated ; he is now on the original homestead of 161 acres, which his father 
bought in May, 1850. Married Miss Barbara Scheckelman, of Hebron, Oct. 29, 1872; they have four 
children — Annie, William, Mary and Flliza. Mr. White is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic 
Church. He is one of the go-ahead farmers and raises the usual stock and crops. 

J. M. WICSGINTON, merchant, farmer and Postmaster, Concord ; born in Monmouthshire, 
Eng., July 3, 1836 ; came to America with his parents in 1842. locating in Pewaukee, Wis.; after a few 
months, they removed to Summit, Waukesha Co., Wis., and after a residence of one year they returned 
to Pewaukee and lived one year ; they then settled in Concord. Mr. Wigginton began business for him- 
self in 1867 and has been very successful ; has a general stock, including dry goods, hats and caps, boots 
and shoes, groceries, drugs, hardware, paints and oils, farm implements, etc. Mr. Wigginton owns 165 
acres of land on Sees. 10, 15 and 16; has the usual stock and crops, and has for many years been an 
extensive grower of hops. He married Miss Elizabeth A. Webb July 3, 1862 ; they have six children 
— William R., Mary F., John N., Edwin ^l., Walter W. and Clara M. Mr. Wigginton is a Republican; 
has been Town Clerk and was appointed Postmaster September 11, 1865. He is well known as an enter- 
prising business man and farmer of Jefferson Co., in which he has spent the most of his life and been 
educated. 



678 BIOGR.VPHICAL SKETCHES: 

WILLIAII WILLARD, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Concord ; born in Sussex Co., Eng., June 
4, ISuS ; spent his early life ia England and came to America about 1832; resided eleven years in the 
State of New York and settled in Concord in October, 1343 ; he began on forty acres in 1855 ; has 
bought some land and sold more ; now has thirty six acres and a good home. Married Miss Mary 
Crouch June 13. 1827, who died Oct. 11, 1872, leaving six children — Alice, Serena, James, Sarah J., 
Elizabeth A. and Mary E. Mr. W. is a stanch Republican in politics and is well known and respected. 
He married Mrs. Eliza J. Knapp Feb. 25, 1873. Mrs. Willard was born in Hampshire, Eng., July 9, 
1826 ; came to America with her parents in 1831 and settled in Jefferson Co.. N. Y.: she left New York with 
her parents for Milwaukee at 17 ; here she married John Whittaker June 19, 1843 ; with him she began 
pioneer life in Concord on eighty acres of heavily timbered land; they had a good house fairly begun 
when Mr. W. died in November, 1848, leaving two children— Lettice and Mary J. On the 30th of March, 
1851, Mrs. W. married H. L. Knapp, who died Jan. 7, 1852, leaving one son — Henry J., born on the 
day of his father's death. Mrs. Knapp married, March 19, 1853, Bartholomew Knapp, and resided with 
him on their Concord farm until his death, April 10, 1865; he left four children — Levina, Edith, Jasper 
and Jason. Mrs. Knapp continued to reside in Wisconsin and married Mr. Willard. They are quietly 
spending their days on his pleasant farm in Concord. Mrs. W. united with the M. E. Church at 25 and 
has since been an active worker in the cause of Christianity ; her children are all residents of Wisconsin 
and Minnesota. 



COLD SPRING TOWNSHIP. 

FRAXK E. AliLEX. bom April 3, 1853, in the town of Milford, Jefferson Co., Wis. ; son 
of F. M. Allen; removed from Milford, in 1873, to Fort Atkinson, where Mr. Allen, with his father, 
bought and operated the Fort Atkinson Flouring Mills. In the summer of 1879, the Messrs. Allen 
purchased the water power uf the old Brink Mill, at Cold Spring, and constructed a grist-mill, with four 
run of stones. In 1875, Mr. F. E. Allen was married to Miss Emma M. Manning, of Lake Mills ; two 
children have thus far blessed their union — Claud M. and Ethel I. Allen, the former now being dead. 

<irEOK(wE E. BILLETT, farmer. Sec. 15 and 22; P. 0. Whitewater; born in Somerset- 
shire, Ent;.. March 29, IS27 ; he spent his early life in England and came to America in 1847, locating 
in Cold Spring, beginning as a farm laborer ; he settled in 1850 on 160 acres of land, which he now owns; 
by hard work and good management, he has a farm of over seven hundred acres, with the best of improve- 
ments. He married Miss Betsey Thorne, of Cold Spring, Nov. 14, 1850 ; they have one daughter — 
Mary J. Mr. Billett is a Republican and has been Supervisor several terms. He is one of the most suc- 
cessful of the early settlers and has carved out his own success ; has on the farm 85 head of cattle 9 
horses, '25 hogs and over 200 sheep. The Cold Spring Cheese Manufacturing Company consists of R. F. 
McCutchin, G. E. Billett and A. D. Coburn ; thev own five factories. 

JOHN BILLETT, farmer. Sec. 14, 22 and 23; P. O. Whitewater; born in Somersetshire, 
Eng., Dec. 24, 1814 ; his early life was sp"nt in England and he came to America in 1850 ; he located in 
Cold Spring, JeflFerson Co., Wis.; resided twelve years on Sec. 23; settled on his present farm of 248 
acres in 1863. Married Miss Lydia Gardner Feb. 3, 1847. Mrs. Billett was born in Somersetshire Nov. 
14, 1826 ; they have one son — William, born Dec. 25, 1848, who is now a resident of AV'hitewater. The 
familv came to America with just -350. and their success is the result of their diligence and foresight. 

WILLIAM BILLETT, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P.O.Whitewater; born in Somersetshire. Eng., 
Jan. 24, 1825 ; he came to America with his brother George in 1847, locating in Cold Spring, JeflFerson 
Co., Wis., where he worked at anything to which he could turn his hand until 1851, when he went to 
Ohio ; after one year, he returned and settled on a farm in Green Co., Wis.; in 1853, he went overland to 
California and after eighteen months of farming and mining he returned to Wisconsin ; he sold his Green 
Co. farm and settled on his present farm of 150 acres in 1856. Enlisted in 1864 in the 1st Wisconsin 
Heavy Artillery ; was stationed in and about the defenses of Wasnington and served till the close of the 
war. Married Miss Judith A. Brown, Devonshire, Eng., Oct. 21, 1851. Mr. Billett is a Republican and a 
wide-awake farmer. He has on his farm twenty -eight head of cattle, six horses and other stock. He has 
led an eventful life and lia~ i-arvid out his own fortunes. 

WILLIAII BROWN, farmer, Sees. 14, 16 and 22; P. 0. Whitewater, Walworth Co.; born 
in Devonshire, England, Dec. 18, 1828. He spent his early life in England, and came to America in 
1850, locating on land which he still owns. He began with wild land and improved it, and now has 197i 



COLD SPRING TOWXSHIP. 679 

acres. He married Miss Nancy Fryer in 1855; they have nine children — Kate. Xekon. Ella, Arthur. 
Charles, Cora, Frank, George and Lovina. Mr. Brown is a Democrat, and is libaral in relisrion. He is 
one of the successful farmers of his county, who be|:»an a poor man and now his a good farm, with a mod- 
ern farmhouse, and a bam 32x60 feet, buUt in 1879. He has forty-five head of cjttle, four horses and 
forty hoes. 

JUII\ COX, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Whitewater, Walwor:h Co.; bora in Barnstable, England, 
June IS, 1844 ; came to America in 1847, with his parents, James and Jane Cox ; lived about eight years 
in Milwaukee, Wis.; then removed to Cold Sprina;. Mr. Cox settled on his farm of eighty acres in 1876. 
Married Miss Lizzie Marshall, of Cold Spring. Nov. 20, 1873 ; they have two childrea — Maryetta and 
William H. Mr. Cos is a Republican ; has twenty-five head of cattle, two horses and eighteen hogs. He 
is one of the stirrini; vouns; farmers, and is improvins his stock. 

WALTER COX, farmer. Sees. 24 and 27 ; P. 0. Whitewater; born in Devonshire, England, 
Feb. 14, 1825. He spent his early life and worked at masonry in England ; came to America in 1848, 
residing eight years in Milwaukee. He settled on the farm he now owns of 120 acres in 1856. Married 
Miss Ann Smith June 29, 1847 ; they have five children — Walter G , Elizabeth A., Mary N., John W. 
and William J. .Mr. Cox is a Republican ; has been Town Treasurer two terms and School District Treas- 
urer many years. Mrs. Cox is a member of the M. E. Church Mr. Cos is an enterprising farmer ; has 
twenty-two head of cattle, including five Ayrshire grrades, thirty-two Merino grade sheep, and eight Poland- 
China hogs. He has a well improved farm, with the best of buildings ; is now making a large addition to 
his farmhovse. 

DANIEL \V. CROSS, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0. Whitewater; born in Lyle, Broome Co., N. 
Y., Feb. 22, 1818 ; at the a,'e of 10, he went with his parents to Erie Co . Penn.; then removed to Ohio, 
where he remained till 1839, when he came to Walworth Co., Wis. In 1841, he bought eighty acres on 
Hart Prairie, where he lived until the spring of 1865, when he locited on hi^ present farm of 120 acres. 
As a result of many years of labor and management, he niw has his well-improved farm, where he has 
built a midern farmhouse. He married Miss Sarah A. Hanson, of Greene Co , N. T., in 1864 ; thev 
have two children — Daniel L. and Katie. Mr. Cross is a Republican, and has on his farm the usual stock 
and croDS. He at one time owned property in Watertown ; also in Adams Co., Wis, 

GEORGE W. EASOX, farmer, See. 8; P. O. Cold Spring; born in Franklin Co., Mass.. 
April 15, 1816. His early life was spent in his native State. When 9 years old, he was bound out to a 
farmer for a term of seven years ; at the end of this term, he worked two years and saved SIOO. After 
working six months in a cotton factory at Chicopee, he went to Vermont and worked at farming about sis 
years. Returning to M issachusetts, he lived there six years, and then tried his fortune a few months in 
the Nutmeg State as an employe in a distillery. Tiring of this, he returned to his native State, and, after 
a year, went to Cortland Co,, N. Y,, and farmed it two years. He then struck West to Berrien Co., Mich., 
where he spent about eighteen months, and where he voted for W. H. Harrison, in the famous log cabin 
and hard eider campaign, in 1S40. Mr. Eason settled on Government land in Koshkonong, Rock Co , 
Wis., in -May, 1841. He bought Government land for many new settlers, and helped them in various wavs, 
and is kindly remembered by many of the now old settlers of Koshkonong. Was also a dealer in live 
stock. About 1858, he bought a drove of sheep and cattle, and started for Minnesota. After selling all 
he could, he exchanged the balance for 320 acres of land, which he has since sold. He owned and kept 
the hotel at Cold Spring about four years, and was owner of the Hebron House one year, which he rented 
and then sold. Mr. Eason married Miss Emily Doty in 1844 ; they have one son — David P., born March 
27, 1846. Mr. Eason is an old-time Republican, and is closely identified with the early history of Jefler- 
son Co. He settled on his farm of 143 acres in 1867. David P. Eason enlisted, Feb. 29. 1864, in the 
13th W. V. I.; was with his regiment in Missouri, Kentucky. Alabama. Tennessee and Georgia. The 
boys made many hard marches, and, though in no severe battles, they made a good record, Mr, Eason 
was discharged at Madison, Wis., Aug. 22. 1865. On his return, he remained in Cold Spring until 1870, 
when he went to Grand Rapids, Mich, He has since been a resident of Michigan, where he married Miss 
Susan M. Graveline .^Iarch 31. 1877 : they have one son — Hart H., born April 27, 1879. Mr. Eason 
has been a resident of Howard City, Mich., during the past five years, in charge of the extensive lumbering 
interests of C. F. Xason. 

JOHX FIXDL-4Y, farmer. Sec. IS; P. 0. Cold Spring; born in March, 1845, in the town 
of Cold Spring on the farm he now owns of 144 acres; his father, Thomas Findlay, was one of the first 
settlers in Cold Spring, about 1840 ; he bought Government land, and did his full share of pioneer work. 
The subject of this sketch was one of the first white children born in the township ; he spent most of 
his life and was educated in Jefiersou Co. Married Miss Mary J. Marshall Feb. i, 1871 ; Mrs. Findlay 



680 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

was also born on this farm ; they have two living children — Margaret and George M. Mr. Findlay is a 
Demo'jiat, and one of ihe stirring young farmers of his native county. Has about twenty -eight head of 
cattle, three hor-ses, including ouc» half-blood Clydesdale and one grade Morgan ; also has about five Leices- 
ter and Merino sheep. 

TU09IAS FINDLAY, farmer. Sec. 18; P.O. Cold Spring; born on the farm he now 
owns of 150 acres July 5, 1848; is a son of Thomas Findlay; .spent his life and was educated in Jeffer- 
son Co. He married .Miss Sarah Hare, of Schoharie Co., N. Y., Oct. 'M, 1872; they have three chil- 
dren — Mary, Thomas and Mamie. Mr. Findlay is a Democrat, and an enterprising young farmer. Has 
thirty five head of cattle, nine horses and thirteen hogs. 

"XEIjSOX FKVER, farmer. Sec. 32; P.O. Whitewater; born in Princeton, Schenectady 
Co., N. Y., Feb. 22, 1816; his younger days were spent in Amsterdam, X. Y., where he was educated; 
came to Whitewater, Wis., in 1842, and -settled on his present farm of 200 acres in 1S43 ; it was then 
mostly timber-land, and Mr. F. did his full share of pioneering. Elected County Treasurer in 1854. He 
removed to Jefferson at the clo.se of his official term ; he went into business with a brother in Jefferson, 
but returned to his farm in 1858. In politics, a stanch Democrat ; he has been Chairman of the Town 
Board many years, also Town Clerk and Assessor, which office he now holds ; is also County Coroner ; 
Mr. Fryer was elected in 1870 to the Wisconsin Li'gislaturo ; he was a County Commissioner in 1868. 
He is one of the well-known and successful pioneers of Jefferson Co., and is closely identified with its 
early history. He has on his farm thorough-bred short horn cattle of the Snowflake and Arabella Duke 
families, and is a breeder of Patchen horses and mixed Essex and Poland-China hogs. 

ALEXANDER HENDERSON, farmer. Sees. 84 and 35 ; P. 0. Whitewater, Walworth 
Co. ; born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Oct. 18, 1805 ; spent his early life in his native country, and came 
to America in 1834 ; worked as a carpenter and joiner three years in Toronto, Canada, and was in the 
same business about two years in Michigan; came to Cold Spring, Jefferson Co., in June, 1839, and bought 
400 acres of (Jovernment land, which he improved and now owns. He was the first settler in Cold Spring. 
\yhitewater consisted of one frame shanty, sixteen feet square, when he first saw it. Mr. Henderson 
lived first in a rude tent, then in a log hut, and finally built his present large farmhouse. In those days, 
all provisions were brought from Milwaukee, and he saw much hard.ship. He married Mrs. Elizabeth 
Woodworth, daughter of George and Margaret McDonald, of Koshkonong, May 20, 1857; they have 
three children — John A., Charles H. and Jennie E. Mr. H. has always been a stanch Republican. His 
wife united with the M. E. Church in 1858, and has since been an active member. 

WILLIA]!! F. LFDEM.ANN, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Whitewater, Wis.; born in Germany 
Nov. 15, 1842 ; came to America in 1856, locating in Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis.; here he lived till 
April, 1861, when he enlisted in the 4th W. V. I. He was with his regiment at the siege and capture of 
the forts at New C)rlcans, also the city ; had a fight at Natchez ; passed up to Vicksburg and helped dig 
the canal at that point; had a second brush with the rebels at Natchez, and was in the battle at Baton 
Rouge, La., where the so-called Union Gen. Williams was shot by men of the 21st Indiana for his treach- 
ery ; Mr. Ludemann says Williams was notified by a negro of the intended rebel attack, but threatened to 
shoot the negro. The regiment, having been mounted as cavalry, went on the famous Red River expe- 
dition ; on their return, they attacked Port Hudson for the second time; was in the battle at Clinton, and 
through the siege of Port Hudson ; the regiment was the first to mount the rebel breastworks ; at or near 
Port Hudson, Mr. L. was captured and held three days, but escaped and joined a black regiment ; with 
five of the darkies, he had a sharp brush with a squad of rebels, killing two and capturing three of them. 
.\fter the capture of Port Hudson, Mr. Ludemann was sick for some time with typhoid fever ; rejoined his 
regiment at Mobile; then went to Vicksburg, where they were discharged in July, 1865. Mr. L. was in 
many battles not mentioned here, and has a good military record. He settled on his farm of eighty acres 
in 1868, and married Mary Cooper in 1869; they have five children — Hattie, Clara, Jennie, Lydia and 
Cora. Mr. L. is a Democrat and a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

R. F. MfCFTCHAN, farmer, Sec. 28; P.O. Whitewater; born in Orange Co., N. Y., 
Feb. 14, 1824. He spent his early life in his native State, where he was educated and learned the car- 
jienter and joiner trade. In 1844, he went to New York City, where he resided twenty-three years ; came 
to Cold Spring, Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1867, and located on the farm he now owns of 187 acres. He 
married Miss Caroline Hart Sept. 17, 1848 ; they have five children — Mary L., William H., Robert B., 
Carrie A. and John J. Mr. McCutchan is a Republican, and is one of the successful farmers and stock- 
men ; has Durham and Jersey grades of cattle, Berkshire and Poland-China hogs, horses, etc. Mr. 
McCutchan is one of the Cold Spring Cheese Co.; the company owns five factories, and is making cheese 
at a fixed price per pound. 



COLD SPRING TOWNSHIP. 681 

RILEY E. MARSH, farmer, Sees. 24 and 27 ; P. 0. Whitewater, Wis.; born in Canada 
East Oct. 26, 1828. His early life was spent in Canada, where he was educated. He came to Cold 
Spring, Jeflerson Co., in 1848. After a residence of sis years in Cold Spring, he removed to Whitewater, 
Wis., where he resided twelve years ; settled on his present farm of eighty acres in 1872. He married 
Miss Maryett Nickerson July 4, 1857 ; they have seven children — May, Carrie, Nina, Freddy, Myrta, 
Newton and Blanche. Mr. .Marsh is a Republican in politic-i, and on? of the successful farmers ; has forty- 
three Durham grade cattle, three horses, also Berkshire and Poland-China hogs. 

WILLIAM MARSHALL, farmer and dairyman, Sees. 28 and 32; P. 0. Whitewater; 
born in Devonshire, England, Feb. I, 1824. After passing his early life in his native.land, he came to 
America in 1850. He located in Cold Spring, Jefferson Co., Wis., and began by hiring out at 50 cts. per 
day to the former owner of his farm. By steady industry and good management, he now owns this farm 
of 293 acres, on which he has a large cheese-factory, good buildings and improvements. The cheese 
made at his factory was awarded a medal at the Centennial Exposition, and he now makes both butter and 
cheese. He was one of the Cold Spring Cheese Co., but has lately sold his interest. He married Miss 
Mar}' Rundle in .\pril, 1850, who died in 1872, leaifing sis children — Elizibeth, William H., John T., 
Eva, Rebecca and Abram. The three last were born at one time, and all are strong and healthy. Mr. 
Marshall married Miss Maria Dodge in February, 1873; they have one son — Richard. Mr. JI. is an 
Independent Democrat, and has been Town Treasurer, and is now Town Supervisor. He has made two 
visits to his native land since his settlement in Wisconsin, of which he may fairly be called a successful 
citizen. 

JOHN A. XELSON, farmer. Sees. 17 and 8; P. 0. Cold Spring ; bora in Orange Co., N. Y. ; he 
came to Wisconsin in 1850, locating on the farm he now owns of 100 acres; enlisted Aug. 15, 1802, in 
the 28th Regt., W. V. I., and was in the battles of Helena, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Fort Pemberton, 
Duvall's Bluff and Saline River. He was also engaged in the siege and capture of Spanish Fort, Fort 
Blakely and Mobile ; was dischareed at Brownsville, Texas, in 1865. Mr. Nelson did his duty manfully as 
a soldier, and is a disabled man in conse(|uence of his military service. He married Miss Ellen Bryce 
Nov. 25, 18G8; they have three children — Thomas M, and James C. (twins), and a daughter, Mary J. 
In politics, Mr. Nelson is Independent ; is also independent of churches or secret societies ; has on his farm 
twenty-two head of cattle and five horses, beside sheep and hogs. 

EDMUND PARRISH, farmer. Sec. 26 ; P. O. Whitewater ; born in the town of Cold 
Spring, Jefferson Co., Wis., July 15, 1847; is a son of George Parrish, who came to Jefferson Co. in 
1846. Mr. Parrish has spent his life and been educated in his native county. He worked with his father 
till 1870, when he bought the farm he now owns of 102 acres; he has built a large, new fiirmhouse, barn 
and other improvements. Married Miss Louisa Torrey, of Hebron, Oct. 30, 1870 ; they have three chil- 
dren — Alvin, Emma and Burt, Mr. Parrish is a Republican, and one of the successful young farmers of 
his native county. lie has 9 cows, 145 sheep, 2 horses, and makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs. 

JOSIAH PESTER, farmer, See. 17 ; P. O. Whitewater; born in Somersetshire, England, 
Dec. 31. 1814 ; after passing his early manhood in his native land, he came to America with his wife and 
five children, landing at New York City June 20, 1849. He lived about one year in Huron Co , Ohio, 
where he buried two of bis children ; settled on the farm he now owns of 120 acres May 4, 1851. He 
began with forty acres of wild Government land, and little money, but has remained upon his first choice 
of location, added to his farm, and now has good buildings and improvements. Married Miss Martha 
Perry Jan. 7, 1838 ; they have seven living children — Henry, Mary A., James, Elizabeth, George, Ellen 
and JIanha J. The four younger children are natives of Wisconsin. Mr. Pester is a Republican, and is 
one of the stirring fiirmers ; has Ayrshire grade cattle, beside horses and hogs. 

DAVID B. ROWE, farmer. Sees. 23 and 26; P. O. Whitewater, Walworth Co. ; born in 
Rutland Co., Vt., Sept. 20, 1819 ; the early part of his life w;is spent in his native State, where he was 
educated; he came to Cass Co., Mich., in 1844; after a residence of six years, he removed to Bloomfield, 
Walworth Co., Wis., and lived three years. He located on 120 acres of land which he now owns in 1853 ; 
the land was unimproved, and Mr. R iwe went at his work pioneer fashion, and now has, as a result of his 
labor, his present farm of 200 acres with the best of buildings and improvements. He married Mias Eliza 
Burnhani, of his native county, Dec. 8, 1842; they have nine children; the oldest child, Susan A., was 
born in Washington Co., N. Y. ; George F. and Emma E. were born in Cass Co., Mich. ; Sylvester B. 
was born in Bloomfield, Walworth Co. ; Alfred L., Edith, Cyrus W., Carrie E. and Lincoln were born on 
the homestead in Cold Spring. Mr. Rowe has been School District Clerk for twenty-five years; has also 
been Justice of the Peace. Mr. Rowe is well known as a maker of the noted Rowe corn-basket ; he is also 
a successful breeder of stock ; has a dairy of 30 cows, also 140 good sheep, which averaged six lbs. for 



682 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

clip of 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have seen many of the privations of pioneer life. Mrs, Kowe is noted 
as a maker of butter and cheese, and is thought to have made the first cheese in her town. Tiiey have 
worked hard, have made a frood home for their old age, and have helped their children to homes of their own. 

XORMAX SArKKRSOX, former, Sees. 24 and 25; P. O. Palmyra ; born in Norway 
Nov. 25, 1832; he spent his early life and was educated in Norway; came to America with his brother, 
Ole, in 1848, locating in Palmyra, where he was in the grocery business twelve years ; he settled on the 
firm ho now owns of 280 acres in 1805. Married Miss Ann Oleson May 15, lS5(i ; they have eight chil- 
<lien — Samuel, Mary A., Tilda, Jane, Louisa, Sophia. Clara and Otto. Mr. Saukerson is a Republican, 
and a member, \rtth his family, of the Lutheran Church. He is one of the go-ahead farmers, has 45 
head of cattle. 8 horses and 80 sheep; he had nothing to beiiin with, and is a self-made man. 

HFiXRY W. TAYI>,OR, farmer, Sees. 9 and 8; P. 0. Whitewater, Walworth Co. ; born in 
Somersetshire, Eng., March l.^i. IH'SA. The early part of his life was spent iu England ; came to America in 
1856, locat-ing on his farm of 200 acres in 1857. He married Miss Maria Cocke Feb. 28, 1850 ; they have 
ten children — Ellen, Thomas, Edwin B., IMartha J., Frank, Alice A., Theodore, Lillie, Clement and Albert 
E. Mr. Taylor is a Republican, and a member, with his wife, of the U. B. Church. He is raising thorough- 
bred, grade of Durham and Holstine cattle, having 30 head, also has 60 Leicester grade sheep, 7 horses 
and 7 hogs ; he began life with but small means, and has wrought otit his own success. 

DELOS W. VAIL, farmer, Sees. 10 and 21 ; P. 0. Whitewater, Walworth Co. ; born in 
Chenango Co., N. Y., Jan. 0, 1817. The early part of his life was spent and his education obtained in 
his native county; he came to Jefferson Co., Wis., in June, 1842. and bought 120 acres of Government 
land, which he still owns. Here he began as a pioneer farmer and hunter; he broke up several hundred 
acres of wild land, as he was one of the very first settlers in his town ; he now has a well-improved farm of 
240 acres. Mr. Vail married Miss Relief Wagner Jan. 13, 1839, who died March 13, 1807, leaving eight 
children— Ruth A., John D., Mary A., Frances C, Celia, Frederick C, Addie and Leoline. He married 
Mrs. Frances C. Butts March 15, 1868; they have two daughters — Alice and Susan. Mr. Vail is a Demo- 
crat, and has been Chairman of the Town Board, Supervisor, Assessor, Justice of the Peace, and was Road 
Commissioner iu the early days, and was one of a few to build most of the roads in his town. He is closely 
identified with the early history of Jefferson Co., and is one of her successful farmers ; is raising full-blooded 
and grade Durham cattle, and has 37 head, has 270 French Merino sheep, horses and 20 hogs. 

A. J. WADLiFiUJH, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Whitewater, Walworth Co. ; born in Sutton, N. 
H., Oct. 13, 1827. His early days were spent in Sherbrooke Co., Canada, where he was educated; he 
came to Cold Spring, Jeff'erson Co., and settled on his present farm of eighty acres in 1845. As one of 
the hardy pioneers, he broke up hundreds of acres of wild land. He has also been an extensive dealer in 
livestock. Married Miss M. G. Wilbur, of Cold Spring, Dec. 25, 1860; they have three children — 
Walter, Clara B. and Martie. Mr. Wadieigh is a stanch Republican ; as one of the enterprising farmers 
of his counfy ; he is breeding Percheron horses, Durham grade cattle, beside sheep, hogs, etc. 



WATERLOO TOWNSHIP. 

C. (jr. BEIili, editor and proprietor of the Waterloo Journal ; born at Houlton, Aroostook Co . 
Me., July 1, 1852; came to Wisconsin in 1861 ; located at Marshall, Dane Co.; in 1873. went into the 
post office at that place as Assistant Postmaster, which position he retained until May, 1S79, when he pur- 
chased his present paper. He married at Marshall, Dane Co., Wis., May 7, 1878, Ada E. Fuller, a native 
of Pennsylvania. 

D. O. BENNETT, physician, Waterloo; born in McDonough, Chenango Co., N. Y., Jan. 10, 
1843; came to Wisconsin in 1861 ; located at Juneau, Dodge Co., in 1S62. Enlisted in the 29lh W. V. 
I. ; went into active service, participating in several battles ; was wounded at the battle of Port Gibson, 
Miss., May 1, 1863; discharged on account of disability in February, 1804, after being engaged in the 
siege of Vicksburg ; returned to Wisconsin ; was employed as clerk in the mercantile business at Beaver 
Dam and Juneau, Dodge Co. ; in 1865, went into a drug store as clerk at Fond du Lac, where he 
also studied medicine, having previously commenced the study under his brother. Dr. H. J. Bennett, con- 
tinuing his studies under tuition of Dr. Lilly, of Fond du Lac ; graduated at Rush Medical College, Chi- 
cago, 111., in February, 1870; remained with Dr. Lilly until May, and began the practice at Waterloo. 
Married at Concord, Mich., Feb. 17, 1874, Miss F. E. Young, of Bergen, N. Y.; have two children. 



WATERLOO T0W:NSHIP. 683 

OEORGE BLEECKER, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Ilubbleton ; born in Canada Nov. 30, 1820 ; 
came to Wisconsin in July, 1847; located in Waterloo Township; engaged in improving his land; 
in 1849, bought an interest in a steam saw-mill in Milford, which he sold in 1852 ; since then has given 
his attention entirely to farming. Married in St. Clair Co., Mich., Feb. 26, 1843, Eliza T. Burnham, of 
New Hampshire; has five children living, and lost two — William J., born March 20, 1844, died June 13, 
1863; Jane A., born Jan. 13, 1S46, died in August, 1847; Mary E., born Feb. 10, 1849 ; John R.,born 
June 7, 1853 ; Harry 0., born July 6, 1860 ; Frank G., born Aug. 22, 1863 ; Arthur B., born July 26, 
1866. Mr. Bleecker has a farm of 590 acres. 

WIIiLiIAlfl F. BOXD, hotel proprietor, Waterloo; born in Middlebury (now Wyoming), 
Genesee Co., N. Y., Dec. 28, 1818: came to Wisconsin in 1843; located in Grant Co.; engaged in farm- 
ing and mining; in the fall of 1846, moved to Portland, Dodge Co., where he bought and worked a farm 
of 100 acres; in 1850, sold this, and purchased 160 acres in Dane Co. ; in 1855, sold out and bought 400 
acres in Lowell, Dodge Co., which he disposed of in 1866, and bought 320 acres in Waterloo Township; 
in 1870, he again disposed of his farm and purchased his present hotel, the Badger State House, and 155 
acres in the village of Waterloo ; also started in connection with his hotel a livery and boarding stable. 
Married at Benton, Grant Co., Wis., June 15, 1846, Miss Emeline Price, of Missouri ; have three children. 
Has held various public offices. 

WILLIAM BOORMAX, mill owner and farmer; P. 0. Waterloo; born in Kent Co., Eng., 
June 8, 1824; came to America in 1848, remaining in Rochester, N. Y., until 1849, when he came 
to Wisconsin, and he and his brother, Benjamin Boorman, bought the mill now owned by Mr. William 
Boorman ; the joint capital of the two brothers was 82.50 ; the first lot of barrels purchased by them cos - 
ing'$3.50, they were obliged to run in debt for $1. Mr. William Boorman, in 1858, engaged in the mer- 
cantile business until 1861 ; in 1866, he was a member of a stock company, and started a machine-shop, 
which came into his possession in 1875. Mr. Boorman is owner of 697 acres of land. Married, in Wal- 
worth Co., Wis., Nov. 15, 1852, Miss Esther Boorman, of Sussex, Eng. ; have seven children. 

WILLIAM BITTH, blacksmith, wagon and carriage maker, Waterloo ; born in Prussia Oct. 
4, 1836 ; came to America in 1857 ; worked at his trade in Milwaukee until 1858, when he came to 
Waterloo and worked at his trade; in July, 1862, started his present business. He is a member of the 
German Lutheran Church. Married, in Waterloo Township, Sept. 28, 1861, Miss Louise Smith, of Ger- 
many ; have six children — William C. F., August C. F., Eda, Hedwig, Anna and Fredrick. 

K. P. CLARK, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Waterloo ; born in Merrimack Co., N. H., Dec. 6, 1820 ; 
came to Wisconsin in 1843; located in Waterloo Township, Jefterson Co., where he entered Government 
land and went to improving it. Was a member of the General Assembly, elected in 1856; has been 
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for seven or eight years ; County Surveyor for thirty years ; is a 
member of F. & A. M. and of Grange. Married, at Portland, Dodge Co., in 1848, Betsey L. Wicker, 
of Vermont, who died in 1850. Married, second time, at Portland, Dodge Co., Melissa L. Larrabee, of 
. N. Y.; has seven children living; lost one. Is the owner of 137 acres. 

EDWARD DOSCHADES, hotel proprietor, Waterloo ; born in Germany March 20, 1838 ; 
came to America in 1865 ; located at Watertown, Wis., and went to work at his trade of turner ; in 1868, 
went to Baraboo, Sauk Co., and engaged in the same business; in 1871, he opened a hotel at Everyman's 
S ation, which he kept until 1875 ; went to farming two years ; in 1878, came to Waterloo and started 
the Wisconsin Hotel. Married, in Germany, in May, 1864, Amelia Budach, of Germany; has one child 
— Otto, born Dec. 30, 1875. 

CONRAD FAILINGER, merchant, Waterloo ; born in Prussia Feb. 16, 1838; came 
to America in 1848, locating in Waterloo ; in 1850, engaged as clerk in the mercantile business at Port- 
land ; in 1859, went to i'arming until 1861 ; came to Waterloo as clerk in a dry-goods store; in 1862, 
went with an army sutler as clerk ; returned to Waterloo, where, in 1866, he went into the mercantile 
business at his present store. Has been Treasurer of the village and Treasurer of the town. Married, in 
Jciferson Co., Wis., Dec. 13, 1865, Lydia S. M. Forsyth, of Milwaukee; have two sons — Louis C.. born 
Nov. 2:;, 1867, and Zeno O., Oct. 29" 1878. 

JOHN J. FISCHBACK, shoemaker, Waterloo; born in Germany March 12, 1833; 
came to America in 1849 ; located at Watertown and went to work at his trade; in 1855, went to farm- 
ing, carrying on also his boot and shoe making ; in 1859, went to Minnesota ; returned in 1860 and 
worked at his trade until 1866, when he started his present business at Waterloo. Married, at Watertown, 
July 4, 1864, Rosaline Blachke, of Bohemia ; has four children — John J., F. M., Annie and Emma. 

JOHN <jrINtirLES, retired farmer, Waterloo ; born in County Antrim, Ireland, in May, 1813 ; 
came lo America in 1840; came to Wisconsin in 1854; located in Portland, Dodge Co., and engaged in 



t>84 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



t 

I 



fanning until 1878, when he came to Waterloo to reside, retiring from active business. Married, in 
County Antrim. Ireland, June 11, 1835, Jane Wilson, of that county; have nine children; lost one. 

CARIj HAESE, harne.ss-maker, Waterloo ; born in Prussia Oct. 8, 1830; came to America in 
1856; located at Watertown and enj^aged in the harness busines.s ; in 1858, came to Waterloo and went 
into the same business ; in 1864, started his presectshop; in 1873, went into the mercantile business 
until 1878. Has been Village Trustee three years. Village Treasurer three years and member of Village 
Board seven years. Marripd, in Waterloo Township, Sept. 24, 1858, Jliss Margaret Gritt, of Prussia ; 
have four children living — Fredrick, Helena, Augusta and Amelia; have lost two. 

S. L. HAZE3)% farn'er. Sec. 30 ; P. O. Waterioo; born in Franklin Co., N. Y., May 29, 1830 ; 
came to Wisconsin in 1S45 with his father, who died in 1871 ; in 1853, he went to California and engaged 
in mining until 1859, when he returned to Waterloo and went to farming. Has been DLstrict Clerk nine 
years ; is a member of the I. 0. O. F. and of the Good Templars. Married, in Waterloo Township, 
June 15, 1861, Frances M. Towsley, of Ohio, who died in June, 1863 ; has one child — Walter, born 
Sept. 11, 1862. Owns a farm nf 110 acres. 

31. V. B. HtTTCHIXSOX, grain-dealer, Vv atcrloo ; born at Montpelier, Vt., March 23. 
1835 ; came to Wisconsin in 1846, locating with his father at Janesville ; engaged in various pursuits, among 
them brickmaking; made the bricks with which the Topping House was built — one of the first brick houses 
-built in Waterloo. In 185S, began dealing in grain and produce. Enlisted Aug. 26, 1861, in Co. C, 
11th W. V. I., participating in several engagements; promoted to Second Lieutenant in October, 1862, 
and to First Lieutenant March IS, 1S63 ; resigned June 15, 1S63 ; returned to Waterloo, and, in February, 
1865, organized a Company, and went with 4Sth W. V. I., Co. E, holding commission as Captain ; went 
into active service, and was mustered out in January, 1866 ; returned to Waterloo and renewed his former 
business as grain-dealer. Married at Waterloo, Wis., in February, 1861, Miss Mary E. Babeock, of 
Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. ; have five children living, lost one. 

PETER JAXISCH, hardware merchant, Waterloo ; born in Bohemia, Austria, June 21, 
1S42; came to America in 1S54, locating at Watertown, and learned the trade of tinsmith. In 1861, 
enlisted in 4th W. V. I. ; served a short time ; was mustered out, and re-enlisted same fall in Co. E, 20th 
W. V. I.; was wounded at battle of Prairie Grove, Dec. 7, 1862; was discharged in the spring 
of 1863. In 1867, came to Waterloo and went into hardware business. Has been Village Trustee, Justice 
of the Peace since 1875 ; is member of German Catholic Church. Married, at Watertown, Wis., in 1868, 
Amelia Pfifer, native of Bohemia, Austria ; have three children. 

BERNARD LESCHIXGER, bakery and saloon, Waterloo; born in Bohemia, Austria, Jan. 
21, 183s ; came to America in 1S52; located at Waterloo ; went to farming. In 1S6S, started a saloon, 
and, in 1872, started the City Bakery; owns seventy-four acres in the village. Married, at Watertown, 
Oct. 1, 1862, Amelia Fibeger, of Bohemia, Austria, who was born May 8, 1846 ; have two children — Ella 
L., born June 13, 1868, and Erail, born Aug. 9, 1871. 

WILjLiIAII F. liUM, lumber dealer, Waterloo ; born in Medina, Ohio, June 3, 1833; came 
to Wisconsin in 1S45, locating in Dane Co. in 1856 ; engaged in lumber business at Black Earth ; in 1859, 
went into same business at Marshall ; in 1867, he started his present business at Waterloo, of Lum & Co. 
Married, at Madison, Maj' 19, 1857, Battle C. Lyon, of New York ; has three children. 

R. J. READIER, Postmaster, Waterioo ; born in Aurora, Cayuga Co., N. Y., March 27, 1837. 
Enlisted Sept. 17, 1S61, in Co. D, 75th N. Y. V. I. ; went into active service with regiment, and par- 
ticipated in all battles in which it was engaged; re-enlisted as veteran in same regiment; was wounded at 
battle of Winchester, W. ^'a. After participating in sixteen general engagements, was mustered out of 
service Sept. 25, 1865. Returned to Aurora, N. Y., and engaged as clerk in mercantile business; in 1867, 
came to Wiscon'-in, located at Waterloo, went to selling agricultural implement's and machinery. In 1873, 
went into Post Office as clerk ; in March, 1S74, was appointed Postmaster. In 1875, started also general 
mercantile business. Is member of A., F. & A. M., of Temple of Honor, and of Good Templars. Mar- 
ried, at .\urora, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Nov. 1, 1875, Jliss Janette Townscnd, of Troy, N. Y. ; have two chil- 
dren — John W., born Oct. 30, 1867 ; Charles E., born June 14, 1875. 

EIjI.IAH H. STIIjES, carpenter and joiner, Sec. 36; P. 0. Lake Mills; born in JefiFerson 
Co., N. Y., May 13, 1831 ; his father, Silas D. Stiles, was born in Massachusetts Oct. 31, 1788 ; moved 
from Cook Co., 111., to Wisconsin in 1838, locating in Milford, Jefferson Co. ; engaged in farming, and died 
Feb. 10, 1848 ; Elijah H. Stiles remained on the farm until 1861, when lie sold his 130 acres and went to 
work at his trade : in 1878, he built the house at Faville Grove, Waterloo Township, where he now resides. 

W. D. STILES, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Lake Mills ; born in Franklin Co., Mass., Dec. 26, 
1830: came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1843; located in 1844, in Waterloo Township; engaged in 




i 1: 



tl 




FORT ATKINSON 






KOSHKONONG TOWNSHIP. 687 

farming and teaching school. Has held all the local offices. Married, at Waterloo, Wis., Nov. 7, 1855, 
Martha H. Hawthorn, of 'County Antrim, Ireland ; have four children. 

CORNELIUS VAN VECHTEN, retired; P. 0. Waterloo; born at Eagle Bridge, 
Rensselaer Co., N. Y. ; came West in 18G6; located in Waterloo Township in 1874 ; purchased the 
residence in Waterloo Village where he now lives, in 1875. He discovered on his premises two mineral 
springs, which he had analyzed, and the analysis i§ herewith attached of the first well, which he has 
named the Empire : 

GRAINS IN 1 GALLON U. 8. MEASURE. 

, Chloride of sodium 171.027 

Chloride of potassium 14..565 

Chloride of magnesium 12.016 

^ulphate of lime 2.3,444 

Sulphate of iron 4.413 

Carbonate of magnesia 17.811 

Carbonate of iron 121.562 

Carbonate of lime 41.015 

Carbonic acid gas 

Muriatic acid gas 

Sulphuric acid gas 

Organic matter .' 0. 

The second well contains different properties, as shown by analysis ; in 187(3, he discovered a third well, 
which is called the Centerville ; the water of all these wells is believed by Mr. Van Vechten and family to 
be highly charged by electricity, and they have many testimonials from parties believed to be cured, by the 
use of these waters, of kidney disease, heart disease, dyspep.sia and many other diseases. 

H. A. WEDEMEYER, Notary Public, loan and collecting agent, Waterloo ; born in Ger- 
many Dec. 10, 1840 ; came to America in 1850 ; followed farming until 1868, when he engaged in busi- 
ness as Notary Public, real-estate and insurance agent, at Watertown ; in 1874, went into the manufacture 
of agricultural implements with Charles Wood; in 1875, went to selling their machinery ; in 1878, came 
to Waterloo and opened his present business. 

S. M. WIENER, merchant, Waterloo; born in Prussia Nov. 13, 1832; graduated at the 
gymnasium at Posen, Prussia, in 184!) ; left his native land on account of political troubles in 1850, and 
came to America ; engaged in mercantile business in New York ; returned to Prussia in 1851, remaining 
two years ; came to Wisconsin in 1860, locating at Marshall, Dane Co., and went into mercantile business ; 
in 1864, moved to Waterloo and started in business at that place ; in 1873, again visited his native 
country, bringing back with him his parents. Many of the citizens will remember the affable old gentle- 
man, Mark Weiner, who died a few years ago. Mr. Wiener has been President of the village two terms, 
and holds that office at present ; he is a member of the F. & A. M. and of Chapter 22 ; member of the 
Knights of Honor and of the B. B. Married, in New York, March 11, 1856, Miss Sophia Meyer, a 
native of Hanover ; have seven children. 



KOSHKONONC TOWNSHIP. 

STEPHEN ABROTT, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. O. Fort .Atkinson ; born in Bath, Somersetshire, 
England, May 29, 1821 ; son of James and Mary (Shepherd) ; came to America in 1845, and located in 
Onondaga Co , N. Y. ; came to Wisconsin in 1845 and located in Koshkonong ; purchased hi.s present 
homestead in 1867, consisting of eighty acres in Sec. 9. Married, March 18, 1844, Mary Atwood, daugh- 
ter of James and Hannah (Combs) ; had five children — Ellen L., Charles, Agnes, Eva and Florence. 
Liberal in religion ; Republican. 

F. M. ALLiEN, miller, Fort Atkinson ; born in Canaan, Columbia Co., N. Y., July 7, 1820 ; 
came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1844 and located at Milford, Jefferson Co.; worked for several years in 
the employ of Mr. N. Pratt, of Milford Mills, and when N. S. Green & Son purchased the mill entered 
their employ ; remained till 1873, then came to Fort Atkinson and engaged with Messrs. May, Water- 
bury & Co.; in 1876, purchased the Fort Atkinson grist-mill ; May 15, .1879, sold out to the old firm 
and purchased the Cold Springs Mills, which he and his sons are now fitting up to do business in. Mar- 
ried, July 4, 1852, Miss Mary J. Mills, daughter of George Mills, of Milford, Jefferson Co.; have four 
children living, one died in infancy — Frank B., born April 3, 1853; William H., Sept. 18, 1854 ; Ethan 

V 



688 • BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

G., April 10, 1859. and Clarence, July 15, 1868. Mr. Allen wa.s elected first Alderman of the First 
Ward after the change of the charter. 3Iember of the Masons, Billing.s' Lodge, A., F. cV A. M. ; he is 
a Democrat. ' 

llANIEli AliWORTH, farmer, deceased; came to Wisconsin and located on Sec. 20, Kosh- 
konong, in 1845; born in Madison Co., N. Y., Dec. 2, 1820. Married Miss Abigail Butler Oct. 20, 
1841 ; ihey have four children — Adelia M., Ella E.,.Orvin C, Emma R. Came to Wisconsin in 1845, 
and .settled in Koshkonong, where he resided till his death, Sept. 12, 1808. Was elected Treasurer one 
year, and Assessor one year ; politics. Republican. 

JOSEPH BAIL.EY, farmer; P. 0. Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis. ; born in Edinburg, N. 
Y., Aug. IG, 1S24 ; came to Wisconsin in 1857, and settled on his present farm, on Sec. 33, town of 
Kcshkonong. Married, Nov. 28, 1849, Louise J. Ried, daughter of Francis Ried ; have twp children — 
Amos P., born Nov. 14, 1854; Louise, born April 4, 1858. Is a member of the Methodist Church ; 
Democrat. He was in the 4yth W. V. I, Co. H ; was in the service nine months. Sold his farm to his 
son, Amos Bailey, in January, 1870. 

(jiEORtiE W. BrRCHARD, Secretary to Gov. Smith; born in Remsen, Oneida Co., 
N. Y., Dec. 26, 1835 ; was the sou of Jabez and Lucy ( Mungerj Burchard ; they came to Wisconsin in 
1850, and located in Waukesha, where they resided for some time, and finally moved to Fox Lake, Dodge 
Co., where Mr. Jabez Burchard died, and the following year Mrs. Burchard died ; both buried at 
that jilace. George W. received his early education in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., ; is a graduate of 
Carroll College, Wisconsin, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. Married, Sept. 26, 1866, Miss Lucinda 
E. Charles, daughter of Mr. J. S. and Elizabeth (Wilcox) Charles, formerlv of Ohio ; they have five 
children— John C, born Sept. 26, 1867 ; RobertC, June 16, 1869; Henry C.,'Sept. 7, 1872; Frederick 
C, Nov. 22, 1874; Paul C, Sept. 8, 1876. He enlisted, Aug. 21, 1862, in the 29th W. V. I., under 
Capt. Dunham; served one year and was then appointed Major to the 5flth Colored Troops; was 
afterward appointed to the staff of Gen. Randall, of Indiana ; also the staff of Gen. Solomon. Held 
the position of Provost Marshal General under Gen. Randall, in Arkansas, one year; was mustered 
out in September, 1866. Was elected President of Fort Atkinson one term. Appointed Director of 
Wisconsin State Prison in 1876; appointed Secretary to Gov. Smith, of Wisconsin, in 1878; is a mem- 
ber of the Masons and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 

JAMES BLISS; P. 0. Fort Atkin.son ; born in Colerain, Franklin Co., Mass., March 4, 
1798, where he lived till he was 18 years old, when, with his mother, he moved to Onondaga Co., N. Y., 
living there till 1840, when he came to Wisconsin and located in Koshkonong, Jefferson Co.; purchased 
200 acres of land in Sec. 24, where he farmed till 1868 ; then retired to Fort Atkinson. Married, April 
26, 1830, Elizabeth Seymour, a native of Chenango Co., N. Y.; children— Amelia E., born May 12, 1831, 
dead; Seymour H., born March 8, 1833, died aged 24 years; Augusta M., born Sept. 15, 1835; Orelia 
M., April 17, 1838. Mr. Bliss has held the office of Town Supervisor three terms, and on School Board 
as Trustee and Clerk ; Itepublican. 

FREDERICK BOLT, farmer, Sec. 33; P. 0. Fort Atkinson; native of Mecklenburg, 
Germany ; born Sept. 26, 1832 ; came to Wisconsin in January, 1857 ; he first settled in Watertown ; in 
1867, he purchased his present farm of seven acres. Married, in November, 1857, in Germany, Sophia 
Rhode, who was born in Germany in 1828 ; have four children— Fritz, Amos, George and Willie. Mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church ; Independent. 

CHESTER BRKwHAlfl, dece;i.sed ; born in Madison, Madison Co., N. Y., Aug. 17, 1816; 
came to Wisconsin and located on Sec. 15, Koshkonong, Jefferson Co., in the spring of 1856. Married 
Miss Alice Stoones Feb. 23, 1856; they have three children — Louis, born Feb. 1, 1857; Glen, Septem- 
ber, 1860; Bell M., August, 1862. The homestead is situated in Sec. 15, Koshkonong, consisting of 108 
acres, all under cultivation ; raises the general products of the county, cattle and hogs. Mr. Chester 
Brigham died Dec. 14, 1869, and was buried in Lake View Cemetery, Fort Atkinson. Mr. Louis Brig- 
ham is a member of the Temple of Honor, and manages the farm for his mother. 

DAM^IEL BULLOCK, Superintendent of the Northwestern Manufiicturing Company ; born 
in Rehoboth, Bristol Co., Ma.ss., Nov. 24, 1827; son of Cyril and Betsey (Perry) Bullock; came to Wis- 
consin in 1852, locating in Grant Co.; bought a farm of 240 acres in 1853 ; gave up farming; moved to 
Hebron, Jeffenson Co.; entered the employ of Joseph Powers & Co., furniture manufacturers, fill 1855 ; 
moved to Whitewater and engaged with George Sisterly until 1861, when he leased the Bark River Mills 
(Hebron), and carried on business for three years ; then moved to Oil Creek, Penn., where he operated 
in the works two years; then returned to Fort Atkinson, Wis., in 1866, and was appointed Superin- 
tendent of the Northwestern Manufacturing Company, which position he fills to-day. He married, in 



KOSIIKONONG TOWNSHIP. 689 

1849, Miss Caroline Rowe, daughter of Ira Rowe, of FarmingtoTi, Conn.; have one child — D. Adelbert 
born Jan. 31, 1851. They attend the Univcrsalist Church; Democrat. 

L.H. BrKLESOX, ftirmer ; P. O. Port Atkinson; born in Augusta, Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 31, 
1835 ; son of Burleson and Lavina Sheldon, farmers; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1864; bought 80 
acres of land in Koshkouong ; sold his place in 1872, and purchased his present place of seventy-two acres, 
in Sec. 15 ; is raising fruit. Married, Jan. 1, 1857, Ann Kingsworth, daughter of Daniel Kingsworth and 
Myria (Ashbee), born Aug. 9, 1834; has four children — Aurora S., born March 13, 1861 ; George L.,Sept. 
1, 180(3 ; Fred G., Sept. 20, 1868 ; May, May 7, 1872. Members of the Methodist Church ; Republican 

WILLIAM CAMPBELL, farmer; P. 0. Fort Atkinson; born in Cherry Valley, Otsego 
Co., N. Y., Oct. 8, 1814; came to Wisconsin in 1837; stopped in Milwaukee one year, and from there 
went, in 1838, to the lead mines in Illinois ; was there eighteen months, then returned and settled on his 
present farm-place in 1843, bought at the land .sale of 1840, of the Government, at $1.25 per acre. 
Married, in June, 1843; Emily Bartlett, daughter of Robert Bartlett; they have four children — Louise 
born Sept. 17, 1845; Jerome, Fob. 17, 1848; Arthur, Oct. 19, 1851; Frank W., July 26, 1854. Lib- 
eral in religion ; Democrat. Owns 200 acres of land on Sec. 27. 

L. B. CASWELL, attorney and counselor at law, Fort Atkinson ; born at Swanton, Frank- 
lin Co., Vt., Nov. 27, 1827; son of Beal and Betsey (Chapman) Caswell, his father dying when he was 3 
years old ; in 1837, he came West with his step-father and mother, who located on Sec. 7, Fulton, Rock Co., 
where he passed his early life and received a common-school education ; in 1846, attended Milton Acad- 
emy ; then attended the Preparatory Class and entered Beloit College, when he took a partial collegiate 
course. In 1850, he entered the oflSce of Matt Carpenter, M. C.,to study law; at the expiration of a^ear 
and a half, was admitted to the bar, October, 1851 ; July 17, 1852, came to Fort Atkinson and com- 
menced practice. Married, Aug. 10, 1855, Miss Elizabeth May, daughter of Mr. Chester May, a resident 
of Fort Atkinson since 1840, and who died in 1849; Mrs. Caswell's mother, nee Hannah Damuth, died 
in April, 1879, and was buried in Lake View Cemetery. Mr. Caswell's mother, Mrs. Churchill, died in 
December, 1877, and her remains repose in Evergreen Cemetery. Mr. Caswell's family consists of him- 
self and wife, and six children — Chester A., Isabel, Lucian B., George W., Elizabeth M. and Harlow 
O. In 1854, he was elected District Attorney of Jefferson Co., and served two years; November, 1862 
elected a member of the Assembly; in 1863, he was appointed Commissioner of Enrollment, with head- 
((uarters at Janes\ille, serving till clo.se of the war; in 1871, again elected to the Assembly, and re-elected 
in 1873; elected on the Republican Ticket from the Second Congressional District (consisting of Dane, 
Columbia, Jefferson and Sauk Cos.), to the XLlVth,XLVth and XLVIth Congresses, serving from March 4, 
1875; his present term of oifice will expire March 4, 1881. Member of I. 0. 0. F. 

JOHN CHADWICK, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in Stockbridge, Madison 
Co., N. Y., in 1827 ; son of John Chadwick and Lucretia Barker; he came to Wisconsin in 1848, and 
settled in Koshkonong, Jefferson Co.; he inherited the farm at his father's death, in 1858, consisting of 
200 acres of land ; raises the general farm products. Liberal in religion ; Democrat. 

J. D. CLAPP, banker, Maine street, Fort Atkinson ; born in Westminster, Windham Co., 
Vt., Dec. 31, 181 1 ; son of Caleb and Nancy (Dorr) Clapp ; his father, Mr. Caleb Clapp, died at Westmin- 
ster May 19, 1829; Mr. Joseph D. Clapp, with his mother, came to Wisconsin and located at Milford, 
Jefferson Co., Sept. 21, 1839, where he purchased 400 acres, and, before the expiration of a year, bought 
400 acres in addition on Sees. 8, 9, etc. ; his brother, M. R. Clapp, was e(|ually interested in these pur- 
chases ; he continued farming till 1857, when he purchased his present residence in Fort Atkinson, and 
about the same year, organized, with Mr. L. B. Caswell, the Koshkonong Bank. Married, in August 
1841, Zida Ann May, daughter of Mr. Chester May, of Fort Atkinson; she died Feb. 14, 1868,^and 
was buried in Lake View Cemetery ; he married again, Mrs. S. C. Weld, widow of Dr. Weld, of Free- 
port, 111., Sept. 23, 1809 ; she is a daughter of Mr. Lyman Bartholemeau, and had two children by her 
first marriage— Will H. Weld, born Feb. 20, 1860 ; Nellie G. Weld, Oct. 10, 1867. Oct. 27, 1863, the 
date of organization of the First National Bank of Fort Atkinson, Mr. Clapp was elected President of 
that institution, and has been re-elected at each annual election ever since ; in 1863, elected to the State 
Senate for two years. Mr. Clapp is a member of the Univer.salist Church ; Democrat. 

OSCAR S. CORNISH, firm of Cornish & Curtis, Fort Atkinson ; born in Middlefield, 
Otsego Co., N., Y., Fell. 18, 1836 ; son of Henry N. and Diana (Salisbury) Cornish ; he came to Wis- 
consin in December, 1855, and located at Fort Atkinson, .Jefferson Co. Married, in 1859, Miss Elizabeth 
Whitney, daughter of Capt. A. and Mary { Hall) Whitney, of Tunbridge, Vermont ; have three children — 
Mary D., Warner W., Robert B. Mr. C. was President of the village two terms and member of Board of 
County Supervisors; is a member of Masonic Order, Knights Templar and A. 0. of U. W. 



e 



690 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

BOYD CREIGHTON, farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0. Koshkonong ; born in Ireland March 10, 1812 ; 
came to America in 1839, landing in Philadelphia; came to Wisconsin on March 15, 1855, settled in 
Lima and engaged in farming ; settled at his present residence in 18G6, on 118 acres of land. Mar- 
ried, on Feb. 20, 1841, Fanny Creightou, daughter of John Creighton ; she died Jan. 20, 1844. Mar- 
ried the second time, March 20, 1844, Jane Thomson, who died in 187G. Married the third time, Jan. 
13, 1877, Mary Jane Miller; they have two children — Sarah J. and Jenny B. He is a member of the 
Temple of Honor ; member of the Presbyterian Church. Politics, Democrat. 

CHARLEi^ CURTIS, farmer, Sec. 35; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in Tunbridge, Orange Co., 
Vt., June 2, 1829 ; son of J. P. and Philippi (Williams) Curtis; came to Wisconsin in 1843, and located 
on his present homestead, consisting of forty acres. Section 35. Married, in December, 1854, Olive Whit- 
ney; have one child — Orson C, born Sept. 25, 185G. Republican; religion, liberal. 

DAVID W. CURTIS, Fort Atkinson ; was born in the town of Chelsea, Orange Co., Vt., 
Nov. 14, 1833, being the second son and third child of Azro Burton Curtis and'Anna Whitney his wife. 
His grandfather's name, on his father's side, was Elias Curtis, who married Abigail Clement, and his great- 
grandfather's name was also Elias, who first settled in Royalton, Vt., before the Revolutionary war, and 
afterward in Tunbridge, Vt., and was one of the foremost men of his town and county during his day — a 
man of great energy and business capacity. He married Sarah Hutchinson, the heroine of the burning 
of Royalton by the French and Indians during the Revolutionary war; she lived to be 96 years old. His 
maternal grandfather, for whom he was named, was David Whitney, who was a lineal descendant of the 
Whitney that settled at Pepperell, Mass., in 1661, and it might be here stated that the farm on which the 
Whitney that came from England first settled, where David Whitney was born, Pepperell, Mass., remained 
in the Whitney family until five or six years ago. His maternal grandmother's name was Susanna 
Huntington, one of the family that helped to make New England famous. The subject of this sketch 
removed from Vermont to Wisconsin Oct. 8, 1845, with his parents, who settled in the town of Jefferson, 
on Deer Creek, near CurtLs' Mill, where they continued to reside until the death of A. B. Curtis Jan. 11, 
1870. He helped to hew out a good-sized farm from the heavy timber-land, enjoying the advantage of 
three months' attendance upon the district school in the winters ; so it was with each succeeding year until 
he arrived at his majority ; then he apprenticed himself to learn the mason's trade, and the winters fol- 
lowing for a year or two, he qualified himself to teach writing, which occupation he was engaged in in the 
western part of the State, when he joined a party of young men at Prairie du Chien, who were on their way 
to the then Territory of Nebraska, and went with them, stopping at Nemaha City, Nemaha Co., about two 
years, when he returned to Wisconsin in the fall of 1859. He was married, Nov. IG, 1860, to Miss Jane 
A. Howard, of Hebron ; they have two children — Harry H., born Sept. 11, 1866, and Belle, born Aug. 
27, 1870. After his marriage, he settled down to farming on the paternal homestead until the summer of 
1862, when he enlisted as a private soldier; was soon after elected First Lieutenant of Co. D, 29th Regi- 
ment W. V. I., and served with Iiis regiment until near the close of the war, being with his company at 
the battles of Port Gibson, Champion Hill, siege of Vicksburg, Red River expedition, etc. He had com- 
mand of Co. A, of the regiment, nearly one 3'ear by detail ; he was also an Aid-de-Camp on the stafl^ of 
Brig. Gen. J. R. Slack, of Huntington, Indiana, and took part in the siege of Mobile in that capacity. 
In May, 1865, he was commissioned Captain in the Quartermaster's Department, when he received a fur- 
lough, thus enabling him to visit his home for the first time since his regiment left Wisconsin, arriving in 
June, and, as the war was then practically closed, he never again returned to the army. About Sept. 1, 
1865, he formed a business partnership with Oscar S. Cornish, for the carrying-on of trade in lumber and 
produce, which has continued to this time. The firm business has been pushed with great energy, and 
" Lumber, Lath and Shingles, at C. & C.'s, Fort Atkinson," is a legend painted upon fences, stones and 
buildings in all directions by the road.side, for a distance of thirty or forty miles from their place of busi- 
ness. They also manufecturc the Rectangular Churn and Lever Butter- Worker, which is sent to all parts 
of the United States. Col. Curtis has had but little to do with politics, although he has run for a county 
oflSce once or twice, but without being elected, though always up with his ticket and generally ahead. 
In the fall of 187G, he received the nomination for Assembly for the Third Assembly DLstriet, Jeiferson 
Co., and was elected by 123 majority. Gov. William E. Smith appointed him one of his aids with the 
rank of Colonel in January, 1878. He was elected Secretary of the Wisconsin Dairymen's Association in 
January, 1876, which office he holds at this time. lie has been Secretary of the Jefferson Co. Agricul- 
tural Society four years, and during this time the Society has advanced from a mediocre place to the front 
rank of such institutions, its fairs being among the largest and best held in the Northwest by county societies, 
those of 1878 and 1879 being particularly fine as to exhibits, and the outside attractions on a scale scarcely 
ever attemjited by similar societies. 



KOSHKONONG TOWNSHIP. 691 

STEVEN S. CURTIS; P. 0. Fort Atkinsou ; born in Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vt., 
Jan. 15, 1837 ; son of Cyrus and Mary (Smith) Curtis. His parents came to Wisconsin in May, 18.S8, 
and settled in Sullivan, his father building a saw-mill on Deer Creek, near Jefferson, which he carried on 
till his death, April 27, 1868; his wife, Mrs. C. S. Curtis, died in May, 1867, aged 58 years. Mr. S. 
8. Curtis passed his early -life working with his father in the mill and on the farm till 1867, when he 
entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, in the drug business, in Whitewater, for six months ; 
retiring from the firm, he returned to Fort Atkinson ; since that, has been engaged in mercantile pursuits. 
Married, Dec. 20, 1868, Miss Annie Whitney, daughter uf Daniel and Julia (Hall) Whitney, of Brook- 
field, Vt.; has two children — Lola E., born Feb. 26, 1871 ; Jessie, April 15, 1877 ; Mary F., born March 
14, 1876, died May 1-t, 1877. Was elected Mayor of Fort Atkinson in the spring of 1879. Member of 
the Masonic Order ; familj' attend Universalist Church ; Republican. 

HEXRY' DE LANO, farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0. Fort Atkinson; born in Watertown, Jeflferson 
Co., N. Y., Oct. 12, 1825, where he received his early education and learned his trade of cooper. In 
1848, he came to Wisconsin and located at Fort Atkinson, working at his trade ; in 1866, purchased 166 
acres of land, which now forms his homestead. Married, in the fall of 1860, Sarah E. Wesoott, daughter 
of Lawson Wescott, of Saratoga, N. Y.; they have two children — Mary E. and William H. Has held 
the office of Constable one term. Member of I. 0. 0. F., of Fort Atkinson. Attends Congregational 
Church ; Republican. 

RUFUS C. DODGE, Fort Atkinson ; born in Smithfield Township, Madison Co., N. Y., 
April 1, 1811 ; son of Abraham and Sally (De Mott) Dodge. Mr. Abraham Dodge died in Smithfield, 
in 1876, aged 88 years. Mr. Rufus C. Dodge came West and landed at Milwaukee Aug. 1, 1836, stay- 
ing there till the middle of August, and then moved to Jefferson Co. and settled on a (|uarter-.section in 
the town of Hebron, and his first work was to help build the first mill in Jefferson Co., in that town. 
Commenced farming in 1837, in Jefferson, on Sees. 32 and 33i, where he now lives; his homestead con- 
sists of 186 acres. Married, Juno 11, 1835, Rebecca Foster, daughter of Edward Foster, one of the first 
to settle in Fort Atkinson ; had eight children, seven living — Edward F., born March 19, 1836 ; Corne- 
lia, Sept. 19, 1840; Charles R., June 11, 1842; Francis Add, March 25, 1845, died June 27, 1868, 
and was buried in Green Cemetery; Mary A., born July 6, 1850; Celestia F., July 20, 1852 ; Anna F., 
Aug. 8, 1854 ; Willie W., July 22, 1856. Member I. 0. 0. F.; family attends Universalist Church ; 
Republican. 

Ali VIN H. DOWNINtir, dealer in furniture, music, and undertaker, Fort Atkinson ; born in 
Brookfield, Orange Co., Vt., June 27, 1837 ; son of Bela and Pernian (Hovey) Downing; came to Wis- 
consin 'in 1867, locating at Fort Atkinson, and entered the employ of Northwestern Manufacturing Co. ; 
in 1877, opened his present business. Married, March 4, 1861, Miss Lizzie P. Case, daughter of Hubert 
Case and Phileta Page of Vermont ; have four children — Edgar E., Alice M., Glen and Carrol. Mem- 
ber of L 0. 0. F. and Temple of Honor ; liberal in religion ; Republican. 

F. M. EATON, confectionery and ice cream, Fort Atkinson ; born in Hebron, Jefferson Co., Jan. 

7, 1856 ; his father, S. M. Eaton, settled in Hebron about forty years ago ; Mr. F. M. began his present 
business about two years ago. He married Miss Emnia Nute Aug. 16, 1876; she was born July 26, 
1838; they have one child — May Pearl, born June 16, 1877. The parents of Mrs. E. all live in Water- 
town. 

HENRY E. FARNSWORTH, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in Kosh- 
konong, Jefferson Co., in 1850; son of Charles Farnsworth, who came to Jefferson Co. in 1840; being 
the only son, he inherited the farm, consisting of 120 acres. Married, Dec. 2, 1869, Miss Annie E. 
Beach, of Koshkonong ; have one child — Ernest E., born July 23, 1875. Member of the Methodist 
Church. Republican. 

S. FIELD, farmer; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in Franklin Co., Mass., September, 1807 ; came 
to Wisconsin in 1855; settled on his present residence in Section 22. Married, in 1832, Miss Matilda 
Babcock, daughter of Johnson Babcock, of New York; had five children — -Francis, born June 7, 1834, 
died in 1866; Mary, born Aug. 17, 1838; Alvin, July 15, 1836; Nelson, Sept. 16, 1842; Ellen, Aug. 

8, 1846. Liberal in religion ; Republican. 

M. H. drANONG, merchant and Postmaster, Fort Atkinson ; born in Townsendville, Seneca 
Co., N. Y., July 24, 1830 ; son of Gilbert and Maria (Coryell ) Ganong ; came to \Visconsin Oct. 6, 1859, 
remaining the following winter at Elkhorn ; March, 1860, he moved to Fort Atkinson and opened busi- 
ness for himself, which has been successful. Married, Nov. 11, 1857, in New York City, Miss Harriet 
A. Prentice, daughter of William and Fanny L. (Benton ) Prentice ; they have had three children — William 
G., born April 5, 1861 ; Lillian A., July 25, 1866 ; Fanny M., Aug. 9, 1863, died May 27, 1865. Has 



692 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

been elected at different times Trustee of the village ; held the office of School District Clerk fourteen 
years and is now in his fifteenth year ; appointed Postmaster in 1865, and took possession of the office 
Jan. 1, 1866; April 25, 1865, was appointed Inspector for Internal Revenue Department; member of 
Masonic Order and I. 0. 0. F. ; with the exception of one or two years, was a member of Republican 
County Committee from 1863 to 1878. 

I..ESTER GRAVES, farmer; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born Oct. 15, 1837, at East Hamburg, 
Erie Co., N. Y. ; son of Hiram and Sarah Beebe Graves ; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1844, 
and settled in Koshkonong, where he received his early education ; is a carpenter, has followed that trade 
for twenty years; also works twenty acres of land in Sec. 33. Married, on January 15, 1862, Mary E. 
Beach, daughter of Joseph Beach and Eliza Cliadwick ; had three children — Cyrus L., born Dec. 24, 1862 ; 
Sarah E., June 7, 1866: Lelia M., April 28, 1878. Members of the M. E. Church : Republican. 

JL. N. GOODHUE, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Whitewater ; born in Cayuga Co.. N. Y., in 1836 ; 
spent his early life and was educated in his native State; came to Rock Co., Wis., in 1851 ; resided on a 
farm in Lima, Rock Co., about seven years, and spent about three years in Iroquois Co., 111., as a real- 
estate and live-stock dealer ; Mr. Goodhue settled on his present farm of 250 acres in 1862, where he 
lived until August, 1878, when he removed to his village home in Whitewater ; he still oversees his farm in 
Koshkonong, also his sixty-acre farm in Cold Spring. He married Miss Cynthia Burlingame, of Iroquois 
Co., III., June 5, 1862 ; they have three children — Frank B., Allie E. and Myra E. Mr. Goodhue is a 
Republican, and was a Supervisor of Koshkonong many years ; he has on his farm about thirty head of 
cattle, 25(1 Merino sheep. Id hor.ses, with hotjs, etc. 

FLOYD HANDY, farmer; P.O. Fort Atkinson; born in Monroe Co., N. Y., March 27, 
1821 ; came to Wisconsin in October, 1840, and settled on his present farm. Married, Aug. 12, 1848, Mary 
Hall, daughter of Matthew Hall, of New York; have six children: Albert H., born April 6,1849, 
Cyrus F., Aug. 2, 1850 : Charles L., Aug. 8, 1854; Alina, March 29, 1862; Nellie, Sept. 9,1866; 
Sarah M., Dec. 4, 1869. Member of the U. B. Church; Republican. 

STEPHEBT C. HASKELL, of Haskell & Severence, marble dealers, Whitewater, Wis. ; 
was born in Windsor Co., Vt., May 12, 1835 ; the early part of his life was spent on a farm in his native 
State; came to Wisconsin in 1848, locating on a farm in Jefferson, where his father still lives. He mar- 
ried Miss Annie R. Sowle, of Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1861 ; they have one son, Herbert, born July 
16, 1870. Mr. H. is a Republican, and a member of Fort Atkinson Lodge, No. 24, I. 0. 0. F ; is also, 
with his wife, a member of the M. E. Church ; he settled in Fort Atkinson, and began his present busi- 
ness in 1867, where he still resides, though the business was transferred to Whitewater, in 1876, where 
with his jiartner he is doing a very satisfactory business. The}' are prepared to guarantee satisfaction in 
price, quality of work, and deal in foieign and American marble, Scotch and native granite; they buy 
their sawed American marble direct from the famous quarries at Rutland, Vt., and their foreign stone direct 
from importers. Mr. Haskell is traveling most of the time in the interests of the firm ; his sales extend 
to Jefferson, Dane, Rock, Walworth and Racine Co.s ; the firm make a specialty of fine turned work. 

W. D. HOARD, Editor of .7«/fcr.so(i Omnti/ Union, Fort Atkinson; born in Stockbridge, 
Madison Co., N. Y., Oct. 10, 1836; son of Rev. William B. and Sarah C. (White) Hoard; came to Oak 
Grove, Dodge Co., Wis., October, 1857, there engaged in vocal and instrumental music teaching. Married, 
Feb. 9, 18(50, Mi.ss Agnes E. Bragg, daughter of "William and A. E. (Edgerton) Bragg, of Lake Mills ; 
has three children — Halbert L., Ralph A., Frank W. Enlisted May, 18(51, in 4th W." V. I. ; served till 
July, 1862, then went to New York, and, Oct. 1, 1864, re-enlisted in Co. A, 1st New York Light Artillery 
and remained in the service till the close of the war. participating (with his regiment) in the following bat- 
tles: New Orleans, Grand Gulf, Baton Rouge ; in 1865, returned to Wisconsin and located at Columbus, 
Wis., engaging in business till 1868, then moved to Iowa ; one year after, returned to Wisconsin, and 
located at Lake Mills. In 1870, he started the newspaper, Jefferson County Union; same year was 
appointed Deputy U. S. Marshal, and took the census of the towns of Waterloo, Aztalan and Milford ; 
in 1872, was elected Sergeant-at-Arms to the Wisconsin Senate; in 1871, commenced taking a deep 
interest in the dairy business ; in 1872, was largely instrumental in organizing the Wisconsin Dairymen's 
Association, and was Secretary of that body for three years; in 1878, was elected President of (he North- 
western Dairyman's Association; in 1873, removed his paper from Lake Mills to Fort Atkinson, entering 
in partnership with Charles Fullerton, who retired fmra the firm after six months, leaving Mr. Hoard sole 
proprietor ; he was elected Justice of the Peace in Lake Mills, in 1871, which office he held till 1873 ; 
elected President of the village of Fort Atkinson, and to the County Board of Supervisors, in 1877, 
serving one year ; member of Masons, I. 0. 0. F. and United Workmen; A^ice President of Wisconsin 
Editorial Association. 



KOSHKONONG TOWNSHIP. 693 

W. H. HUDSON, of the firm of Whitcomb & Hudson, Lake Koshkonong Hotel ; native of 
Ohio ; born in the town of Chillicothe June 17, 1833; son of James Hudson and 5Iary Beaudo, of Vir- 
ginia, who came to Wisconsin in 1849, and settled in Dane Co., on Section 29, and engaged in farming. 
Had nine children, six sons — W. H. was the second son. He started out for himself in 1851, working 
out by the month ; in thirteen months, he commenced fJirming and running a thrashing machine, which 
business he remained in about six years. Married, in 18fi5, Miss Helen P., daughter of Asahel Hill and 
Julia Schultz, of New York ; they had one child — Ada E., born July 11, 18G6. Mr. Hudson is a mem- 
ber of the Odd Fellows' Fraternity ; liberal in religion and politics. 

CHARLES HL.lI^nEL, fanner. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; was born in New York City 
June 19, 1836 ; son of Charles and Frances Hummel, the former a native of Baden Baden, Germany, born 
April 6, 1801 ; came alone to New York in 1827, and engaged at his trade of baker. He married Miss 
Frances Meyer, a native of Alsatia, born in 1811. In 1850, they came to Wisconsin and bought 240 
acres of land, in working which he was assisted by his son. Charles married in 1851 ; had nine children — 
Albert, George, Frances, Charles, James, Gustavus, Edward, Elizabeth and John. He enlisted in Co. C, 
4th W. V. I., as Lieutenant, at Fort Atkinson, in 1861, and went to Milwaukee, where they were ordered 
to fire on the rioters, but refusing, were disbanded ; part of them re-enlisted in Co. C, 3d W. V. C. 
Mr. Hummel was wounded when coming home, in the Morgan raid, at Cynthiana, Ky., and was mustered 
out at Fort Riley, Kan., July 1, 1865. 

THOMAS HIITCHENS, former. Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in Ontario Co., N. 
Y., Fe^ 14, 1830 ; son of John and Catherine, nee Wagger; came to Wisconsin and located at Fort 
Atkinson in 1856, and commenced working at his trade of shoemaking, remaining four years, then moved 
to Section 15 and commenced farming. In 1872, purchased eighty acres on Section 14, which now forms 
his homestead. He married, December 16, 1858, Miss Sylvia A. West, daughter of F. West, of Fort 
Atkinson ; have four children- — Lovell W., Maude M., Francis E., William H. Elected Clerk of District 
School Board one term. Member of the I. 0. 0. F. and Farmers' Union Association ; attends the Metho- 
dist Church ; Ile])ublican. 

MILO JONES, surveyor, Fort Atkinson ; born in Richmond, Chittenden Co.,Vt., Feb. 16, 1809 ; 
son of Edward and Lucy (Farnsworthj Jones; came West in 1832 ; came through Michigan, remaining 
till 1834, engaged in the Government employ, surveying, making Milwaukee his headquarters. Nov. 29, 
1838, settled in Fort Atkinson on his present homestead ; was very active in organizing the village of Fort 
Atkinson. Married, in 1832, Miss Sally Crane, daughter of James and Clarinda (Hallock) Crane; their 
children are Newton, Amelia M., Fanny C, Milo C. and Melvin A., twins, born in tlie Green Mountain 
House ; Edward, Anson and George died in infancy. Was appointed aid-de-camp to Gov. Dodge ; held 
the oflSce of Supervisor and Justice of the Peace four years ; was one of the first Presidents elected to the 
village of Fort Atkinson. In 1878, was elected Mayor; held the ofiice of Postmaster a number of years. 
June 29, 1871, Mrs. Jones died, and was buried at Lake View Cemetery, Fort Atkinson. Mr. Jones is 
a member of the I. O. 0. F. ; Democrat. 

STEPHEN KEMP, former; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in West Kent, England, Oct. 29, 
1822 ; son of M'illiam Kemp and Lida Walker, who both died in Kent. Stephen came to America in 
1847, and lived in Oneida Co., N. Y., till 1852, when he came to Wisconsin, settling in Oakland, Jeffer- 
son Co., on a farm; settled on his present farm in 1867, 73 acres on Sec. 10, purchased of Archibald 
Grimes. He married, Dec. 25, 1850, Emeline Ottaway, daughter of John Ottaway , formerly of England ; 
had ten children — Ada A., born November 10, 1851; Alice J., August 25,1853; Florence, January 

24, 1855; R., October 24, 1856; Hannah, December 26, 1858; Emma, December 16, 1860; 

Frances, September 4, 1865; Nettie, May 24, 1867; Abbie, June 25, 1872; George, March 1, 1873; 
Florence died August 29, 1861; Emma died June 27, 1863, buried in Oakland; Frances died September 
28, 1865 ; Abbie, died August 23, 1872. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. P.; member of the Methodist 
Church ; Republican. 

CHARIjES Q. lilRKEAND, wind-mill and pump dealer. Fort Atkinson ; born in Kosh- 
konong, Jefferson Co., Wis., Oct. 9, 1848; son of Joshua G. and Nancy (Eisabroadt) Kirkland ; his 
father, Mr. Jo.shua Kirkland, came and settled in Jefferson Co. in 1844. Mr. Charles Kirkland received 
his early education and passed his early life on the farm with his father, and was the first in Fort Atkin- 
son to start his present business. Married, Oct. 19, 1868, Miss Jane P. Curtis, daughter of John 
Curtis, of this county; they have five children — Curtis J., Armer D., Jessie E., N. Inez, Burton F. 
Member of United Workmen and Methodist Church. 

FERDINAND KLUCK, former; P. 0. Fort Atkin.son; born in Prussia Feb. 22, 1845 ; 
came to Wisconsin in 1845, and located in Hebron. Married, Jan. 18, 1870, Julia Krager, daughter of 



694 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Gotlieb Krager; had one child — Willie, born in 1874. Purchased his present homestead of sixty-two 
acres in October, 1878. Member of the Lutheran Church ; Kepublican. 

GEOR(wE A. LAXDGRAF, carriage-maker; settled in Fort Atkinson in 1863, where he 
has worked at present bu.siness ever since; he was born in the town of Sullivan, Jefferson Co., Oct. 6, 
1845; his father, John H., lives in Sullivan, and first settled in Jefferson Co. in 1842. Mr. Georfje A. 
married Miss Mary Warnhoffer March 8, 1868 ; she was born April 28, 1846 ; they have four children 
— Gecrgo, boin Jan. 23, 1869; Eda, Jan. 1, 1871; Willie, Jan. 13, 1873; Freddie, Aug. 28, 1876. 
Family attend the M. E. Church. Mr. L. has been a member of the City Council. He belongs to the 
United Workmen. 

GEORGE JIcDONALD, farmer; P. 0. Whitewater, Walworth Co.; born in Ayrshire, 
Scotland, May 3, 1808; came to Lycoming Co., Penn., in 1828; went into the coal mines, where he 
remained ten years ; from there he went to Canada ; remained seventeen years, farming ; came to Wis- 
consin in 1855 ; settled on his present farm in 1859. Owns 202 acres — 80 in Koshkonong and 122 in 
Lima, Rock Co.; he lives on See. 35. Married, Sept. 27, 1829, Margaret C. Gunning, daughter of 
Thomas Gunning; she died July 12, 1875 ; had twelve children — Elizabeth, born Dec. 18, 1830; Mar- 
garet, Feb. 8, 1832; Alexander, Feb. 10, 1834, died in infancy; Adam, March 1, 1835; George, May 
10, 1837 ; Jane, March 28, 1841 ; Alexander, Feb. 25, 1843 ; Thomas and John (twins), Oct. 3^ 1845 ; 
Darid, Oct. 18, 1847 ; James, June 12, 1850; Mary, March 31, 1852 ; George died in the army. Mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church ; Republican. 

A. V. MIIjIjS, farmer ; P. O. Koshkonong ; born in Orange Co., N. Y., Sept. 3, 1833 ; came 
to Wisconsin in July, 1846, with his parents and settled in Whitewater; purchased his present farm on 
Sec. 32 in 1866. Married, March 15, 1855, Miss J. Hamilton, daughter of David Hamilton, of Tomp. 
kins Co., N. Y.\ they have five children — George William, born Jan. 20, 1856; Kate A., Aug. 7, 1858 ^ 
Lynn E., Feb. 9, 1862 ; Jessie A., Oct. 5. 1866 ; Clarence B., May 13, 1868. Members of the Congre- 
gational Church ; Democrat. Clerk of the School District for a number of years. 

PETER niLrLER, farmer; P. 0. Fort Atkinson; a native of Prus'sia; born May 17, 1821 ; 
came to America in the fall of 1845, to St. Louis, where he engaged to work on a steamboat as fireman 
for two years; he came to Koshkonong in the spring of 1847. He first purchased forty acres of the 
Government for $100 and sold it for $300 ; he afterward purchased 100 acres; he now owns 273 acres. 
Married, in December, 1840, Louise Becker, who was born in Prussia in June, 1826; they have eight 
children — Charles, Louisa, William, Emeline, Peter, Henrietta, Amelia and Kate. Democrat ; member 
of the Lutheran Church. 

JOSEPH F. :VIORRI$$OIV, farmer; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in Franklin Co., Mass., in 
1825 ; son of Phineas F. Morrison ; came to Wisconsin June 4, 1840 ; settled on his present residence 
in the spring of 1863. Married, in 1835, Miss Mary M. McPherson, daughter of John McPherson ; 
they have four children — Smith D., Charlotte, William and Amelia. He held the office of Supervisor of 
his town one year. Members of the Congregational Church ; Republican. 

THOMAS MOUIiD, farmer ;""P. 0. Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis.; born in the Parish of 
Northampton, England, Aug. 21, 1822; came to America in April, 1835; landed in New York; settled 
in Saratoga Co.; in 1862, he came to Wisconsin and settled on his present farm in Section 34. Married 
Sept. 5, 1843, Sarah Codding', daughter of Hosea Codding; had five children — Harriet, born Sept. 10, 
1846; Charlotte, June 21, 1848, died Sept. 17, 1864; George H., born Oct. 10, 1849; Almira, Sept. 8, 
1851 ; Catherine, Nov. 25, 1857. Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Republican. 

PHIIiLIP H. NOEIi, Jr., farmer; P. 0. Whitewater; born in Koshkonong Township, 
Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1855; attended Whitewater Normal School eighteen months and Madison Univer- 
sity fourteen months. Married, August, 1878, Miss Louisa, daughter of John and Mary (Gottlieb) 
Krebs. Manages 328 acres of land for his father, who resides in Whitewater. Liberal in religion ; 
Republican. 

JAIIES PAYXE, farmer; P. 0. Cold Spring; born in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, in June, 1825; 
came to Wisconsin Oct. 20, 1844; settled in Koshkonong; .settled on his present residence in 1849; 
went to California in 1850, going by teams across the plains; was four months on the road; stopped in 
the mines nine months, then came home by way of the Isthmus and New York. Married, Nov. 12, 1845, 
Mrs. Rose Ann Allen, daughter of John Pierson ; have five children — Ellen E., born June 28, 1852; 
Rosanna, Dec. 15, 1854; Mary I., Oct. 3, 1856 ; George E., April 26, 1859; William E., Aug. 6, 1861. 
Members of the United Brethren Church ; Republican. 

STEPHEN PAYNE, flirmer ; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in Newburg, Cuyahoga Co. 
Ohio, Aug. 23, 1823; came to Wisconsin April 30, 1842, and settled in Jefi'erson Co.; purchased 



KOSIIKONOXG TOWNSHIP. 695 

his homestead in 184a; owns 244 acres, part in Cold Spring Township. Married, Feb. 20, 
1840, Mrs. Clarisa Williams, daughter of William Cornish, formerly of New York; have three 
children— Charles, born Jan. 20, 1847; James A., September, 18.50; Joseph S., Dec. 9, 1857. 
Mrs. Payne, by her first husband, had two boys and two girls — Eyra, Eunice, William and Stephen. Held 
the office of Supervisor five terms ; also has been Justice of the Peace eleven years ; has been Alderman 
of Fort Atkinson two years ; in 1868, moved to Fort Atkinson, where he now lives ; liberal in religion ; 
Republican. Charles and James Payne work the farm for their father. Charles married, September, 
18G8, Statia Groton, daughter of Joseph Groton ; has two children — -Lillian and Marion. Enlisted in 
Co. C, 49th W. V. I., January, 1865 ; discharged November, 18G5 ; is a member of United Brethren 
Church; Republican. He was Township Supervisor for two years. James Payne married, April 21, 
1872, Elizabeth Boyle, daughter of Felix and May Boyle ; born in Albany, N. Y., April 10, 1851 ; has 
three children— IMay, born May 31, 1874 ; Ida, Nov. 11, 1876 ; Bertie, May 14, 1879. Liberal in religion ; 
Republican. 

REV. P. E. B. PEASE, Methodist Church ; born in Lee, Berk.shire Co., Mass., June 6, 1819 ; 
son of Hiram A. and Lydia R. (Remely); lived in Massachusetts till he was 12 years old, then removed 
with his parents to Ohio in 1833; they located at Oberlin, Ohio, where Mr. Pease attended Oberlin 
College, also Berean College; in 1843, he removed to Olivet, Mich., with Mr. John G. Shepherd, who 
came for the purpose of organizing the college of that place, where he also studied here some time ; in 
November, 1845, he came to Wisconsin and located at Milford, Jefferson Co. ; in 1846, he organized the 
first Sunday school in Lake Mills, there being no church services held at this time in this vicinity ; also 
organized a Sunday school at Table Grove about the same time. In the fall of 1854, was ordained 
Deacon by Bishop Morris ; in 1856, was ordained Elder by Bishop Simpson, and preached his first ser- 
mon at the old red schoolhouse, Lake Mills Township; then preached two years on the Aztaian circuit; 
then two years on Wauwatosa circuit ; preached two years on Palmyra circuit; then statijned two years 
at Appleton ; stationed at Kenosha two years, at Beloit two years ; preached for three years in Summer- 
field Church, Spring street, Milwaukee ; four years as Presiding Elder in Appleton District ; four years 
in Janesville District ; has been Presiding Elder at Fort Atkinson the past three years ; was a member of 
the General Conference that met at Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1872 ; received the complimentary A. M. from 
Lawrence University and honorary degree in 1870. Married, in 1840, Miss Cornelia Reed, daughter of 
Carlo Reed ; have had eight children, seven living — Sarah L., born Sept. 29, 1841 (married S. F. Stark- 
weather, of Chicago); Marcus, Dec. 24, 1843 (who died in United States army service of cold and expos- 
ure Aug. 4, 1862) ; Louisa M., Aug. 9, 1846 (married John H. Houser, Postmaster at Fond du Lac) ; 
Hiram L., Feb. 12, 1849 (who is a physician and practices at Grand Crossing, 111.) ; Emma C, Aug. 27, 
1851 (married W.Scott Pierce, of Minnesota); Rev. Francis A., July 2, 1854 (stationed at Broth- 
ertown, near Fond du Lac) ; Mary E , Aug. 18. 1856 (married G. W. Blay, of Janesville) ; Medora M., 
May 13, 1860. Mr. Pease is a member of the Temple of Honor. 

H. A. PORTER, merchant; dealer in groceries. Fort Atkinson; born in Jericho, Chittenden 
Co., Vt., Feb. 30, 1831 ; son of Orlin and Parmclia (Allen) Porter; came to Wisconsin in May, 1855, 
locating in Jefferson Co. : in the spring of 1856, started business in Fort Atkinson. Married, in Decem- 
ber, 1856, Miss Hattie E. Kimbell, daughter of Myron Kimbell, of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. ; have four 
children living, one dead — Charles M., Minnie E., Carrie S., William K. ; Lily died in infancy. Mr. 
Porter was elected Constable in 1857 ; in 1861, was elected Justice of the Peace, serving till present time 
except one year; elected Police Jut.tice in the spring of 1878; Past Grand Member of the Grand Lodge 
of I. 0. 0. F., and is one of the oldest members of the temperance society of this place ; has been in the 
Lodge twonty-two years. Family attend the Methodist Church ; Republican. 

T. F. POWERS, farmer; P. 0, Koshkonong; born in New York City Nov. 11, 1854; came 
to Wisconsin with his parents in April, 1857, and settled in Jefferson Co., Wis.; received his educa- 
tion in the district schools. Married, Sept. 3, 1878, Eliza J. Armstrong, daughter of James Armstrong; 
settled on his present place of residence in 1879, consisting of forty acres of land. Section 32. Members 
of Catholic Church ; Democrat. 

trEORCjrE PRESTON, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in Jackson Co., Mich., 
Aug. 5, 1846 ; came to Wisconsin in March, 1865, and located on his present homestead. Married, Nov. 
6, 1868, Daphne Ellis, daughter of John Ellis, of Jefferson Co.; have two children— Winnifred, born 
Sept. 25, 1876 ; Ray, born April 5, 1878. Member of Farmers' Association ; liberal in religion ; Republican. 

T. T. PROCTOR, Fort Atkinson; born in Derry, Rockingham Co.,N. H.,Sept. 9, 1824; sou 
of Joseph and Mary (Hughes) Proctor ; came to Wisconsin in 1856, stopping at Janesville for six months ; 
then purchased a saw-mill and settled in Fort Atkinson, shortly afterward added a grist-mill to it, which was 



696 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

afterward consumed by fire. Married, Dec. 5, 1858, Miss Laura S. Davis, daughter of Mr. Steven Davis, 
formerly of Maine ; they have two children — Francelia H., born Feb. 2(5, 1864 ; George S., born Feb. 

25, 1867. Member of Masonic Order ; family attend Universalist Church. 

L. MARVIX ROBRRTS, briekmaker, Fort Atkinson ; born in Fenner, Madison Co.,N. Y., 
Aug. 18, 1831 ; son of Jesse and Betsey (Ives) Roberts, who came to Wisconsin in October, 1839. Mr. L. 
M. Roberts inherited his farm from his father; his homestead is situated near Fort Atkinson ; he followed 
farming till 1867 ; in 1868, started the manufacture of brick ; makes white and cream brick to the aver- 
age per year of (iOO,0()0. Married, Nov. 16, 1854, May I. Hopson, daughter of Simeon Hopson, of 
Oswego Co., N. Y. ; they have had seven children (six now living) — Lillian B., born June 24, 1859; 
Ellsworth, May 31, 1861, who died April 29, 1867, aged 6 years ; Earle G., born Nov. 11, 1862 ; Bonibel 
L., Aug. 25, 1864 ; Daisy G., Aug. 25, 1866; Dean E., June 22, 1868; Alva Ives, Jan. 19, 1876. 
Mr. Roberts has held the following offices : Town Superintendent of Schools two years ; Justice of Peace 
two years ; Chairman Board of Supervisors two years ; in Oakland Township, Trustee of Village one year ; 
Past Grand in I. 0. 0. F. ; member Temple of Honor. 

CHARLES ROCKWELL, Fort Atkinson ; born in Paris, Oneida Co., N. Y., May 11, 1810 ; 
son of Thomas B. and Mary (Dunham ) Rockwell, who came West and located in Wisconsin where now stands 
Fort Atkinson, and he was the second white man in the vicinity ; made a claim of one and three-fourths 
sections on Sections 1, 5, and 11 ; in 1838, broke ten acres of ground and built his log house, 20x16 ; the fol- 
lowing year built an addition, doubling the size of his home, and ojiened business, what is known as a Wis- 
consin store, selling clothing, cloths, groceries, tinware, etc. Married, in January, 1833, Maria Farington, 
daughter of Willard Farington, of Oneida Co., N. V. ; she died in January, 1834. He again married, July 
4, 1835, Caroline L. Moore, daughter of Liberty Moore, of Augusta, Madison Co., N. Y., who died Feb. 

26, 1873; their children are Willard A., born April 15, 1836, Orlando M., who died from wounds 
received at the battle of Chattanooga, Tenn. ; Annie Maria, deceased. He married again, April 2, 1874, 

, Maggie Telfer, of Fort Atkinson. He was one of the first Justices of Peace in Fort Atkinson where he 
tried his first case. Had been a member of the Congregational Church since he was 17 years of age, 
and, at the date (if his death, Oct. 7, 1879, was the only living male member of the first church in Fort 
Atkinson ; was a member of I. 0. 0. F. 

W. H. ROGERS, attorney at law. Fort Atkinson ; born in Piermont, N. H., Dec. 7, 1842 ; 
son of Charles and Pamelia (Ramsey); studied law with Roswell Farnham, of Bradford, N. H., for 
fifteen months ; was admitted to the bar Jan. 25, 1867. Married, Aug. 15, 1869, Miss Angenette Hor- 
ton, daughter of Mr. A. Horton, of Massachusetts; have two children — Charles B. Rogers, born July 25, 
1871 ; Frank H. Rogers, July 15, 1874. Mr. W. H. Rogers is a descendant of the celebrated martyr, 
John Rogers, who suffered for his religion in the reign of Mary I, of England ; his mother is a descend- 
ant of the celebrated Mrs. Hannah Dustin, the New England heroine. Enlisted as private in December, 
1863, in Co. I, 15th 111. V. I., under Capt. Pratt ; was promoted to a lieutenantcy in 1865, and, in the 
fall of same year, was honorably discharged : served with Gen. Sherman's command through the South ; 
he was with his regiment in all the battles it participated in. Rev. C. Rogers, brother to W. H. Rogers, 
was Colonel of the 15th III. V. I. at the time of his enlistment, and another brother, M. B. F., was Chap- 
lain. Mr. R. was Town Clerk in 1868. 1870-71 ; District Attorney, 1874 to 1878; member of Univer- 
salist Church; is one of the Trustees; was Justice of the Peace from 1868 to 1872; member of I. 0. 0. 
F.; Democrat. 

CirEOROE C. SMITH, merchant, Milwaukee street. Fort Atkinson ; born in Lexington, 
Greene Co., N. Y., June 23, 1824, where he lived till he was 12 years of age, when his parents moved to 
Onondaga Co.; here he received his early education and lived till 1847. On the 11th day of February 
of that year, was married to Lamira Blauchard, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Cunningham) Blanchard, 
of the same county. Came to Wisconsin in May, 1847, settling in Waukesha Co.; in 1850, removed 
to Oakland, Jefferson Co., and purchased 160 acres of land ; in 1868, sold his farm, moved to Fort 
Atkinson, and engaged in the profession of law and real-estate agency ; while residing in the town of 
Oakland, he held the offices of Superintendent of Schools, Town Clerk, Justice of the Peace and Chair- 
man of the Board of Supervisors, and in 1857, was Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors; in 
1858-59, member of the Wisconsin Legislature ; afterward Notary Public and Justice of the Peace in Fort 
Atkinson ; during the war, was appointed State Agent by Gov. Solomon to look after sick and wounded 
Wisconsin soldiers, with headc|Uarters at Memphi.s, remained in the South three years. Member of the 
Masonic Fraternity, the I. 0. O. F. and Good Templars. Mr. Smith's family consists of himself and wife 
and five children — Robert B., Rosetta C., Jessie A., Carrie J. and George F. He is liberal in religion, and 
in politics. Republican. 



KOSHKOXONG TOWNSHIP. 697 

HAWLEY SMITH, farmer; P. 0. Fort Atkinson; born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., in May, 

1806 ; came to Wisconsin Sept. 15, 1840 ; purchased 280 acres of land of the Government, at $1.25 per 
acre, on Sec. 27, where he still resides. Married, Feb. 24, 1831, Lida M. Coats, daughter of David 
Coats; they have three children— Andrew, born Jan. 11, 1832; Alvira L., April 22, 1844; Mary E., 
Aug. 11, 1846. Liberal in religion ; Republican. 

WILLIAM E. SMITH, architect, bridge-builder and carpenter; born near Cleveland, Ohio, 
June 22, 1821 ; learned his trade in Cleveland, and constructed several of the most prominent buildings 
in that place ; began his present business at Fort Atkinson in 1863, and has worked at the same in Penn- 
sylvania, Ohio and Michigan, for the past thirty years. Married Miss P. Harger Nov. 18, 1849 ; she was 
born Nov. 16, 1829; have had three children, all now dead. Moved to Newburg, Washington Co., in 
1856 ; was there Chairman of the Board of Supervisors and Justice of the Peace. Belongs to the 
Masonic Fraternity. His father, William J, is still living, and was born in 1798; was the first white 
man born in Cuyahoga Co. 

DR. W. M. SMITH, physician. Fort Atkinson ; born in Utica, Oneida Co., N. Y., July 23, 
1817 ; .son of Isaac and Lovicia (Oviatt) Smith; came West, locating first at White Pigeon, Mich., in 
1839, and then moved to Kane Co., 111.; from there to Kenosha in January, 1845 ; July 2, 1846, he canie 
to Rock Prairie and settled in Johnstown, and lived there till he moved to Fort Atkinson, Jan. 8, 1856. 
Commenced to practice medicine in St. Charles, HI., in 1840. Married, in 1845, Clementine R. Chase, 
daughter of Mr. David Chase, formerly of Vermont; their children are William H., born May 22, 
1846; Ellen H., Nov. 12, 1848 (married D. G.Robinson, of Gage Co., Neb.); Louise M., born April 3, 
1851 (married M. S. Darrow, of Chicago); Charles V., born Nov. 3, 1854, and died Sept. 20, 1856 ; 
Nettie, born Aug. 18, 1866, and died Nov. 3, 1869; Judson C, born July 12, 1861 ; Edward H., July 
28, 1863. Member of I. 0. 0. F. and Temple of Honor. Family attends Universalist Church; is a 
Republican. 

MYRDX St>WLE, farmar, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Port Atkinson ; born in Dunn Brook, Oneida Co., 
N. Y., July 26, 1839 ; came to Wisconsin with his father, Daniel Sowle, in 1844, and located on Sec. 20, 
in Koshkonong; received his education in the district school. Married Jennett Degrotte, of Erie, Penn., 
Oct. 7, 1860 ;'^have one child— Walter Sowle, born Sept. 14, 1863. He has held the office of Constable. 
Member of the Grantre. Republican ; liberal in religion. 

EREDERICK STETZEL, farmer; P. 0. Whitewater; born in Alsace, France, May 15, 
1812; came to America in 1830, landing in New York City; came to Wisconsin in 1848, and settled in 
Whitewater, till 1858, when he purchased his present farm of 120 acres in Sec. 33. Married, Oct. 27, 
1838, Jane P. Tomlinson, daughter of Ranson Tomlinson, of Glastonbury, Hartford Co., Conn.; have six 

children— Frederick, born Oct. 1, 1839; , Aug. 9, 1843; Francis B., Feb. 18, 1848; George H., 

March 26, LSoO ; Robert E., May 31, 1853 ; Addie, Feb. 23, 1859. Liberal in religion ; Democrat. 

DR. E. W. STOXE, physician and electrician, Fort Atkinson ; born in Madison, Madison Co., 
N. Y., May 8, 1837 ; son of Anson P. and Cornelia (Adams). He came to Wiscon.sin in 1844, with his 
parents, who located in the vicinity of Fort Atkinson, Koshkonong Township, JetFerson Co., where he 
passed his early life and received a common-school education. At the age of 11 years, he lost his left hand 
while out shooting, by the bursting of a gun. In 1856, entered Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis. ; 
attended Albion (Madison) Academy; studied medicine with Dr. Vivien, of Quinoy, 111., for three years. 
In 1866, entered into partnership and commenced practice with Dr. Vivien, continuing till the summer of 
1867, when he went to Montana Territory. In 1872, was appointed to the Government Interior Medical 
Service. In November, 1875, settled in Fort Atkinson, and commenced a homeopathic practice. Married, 
June 11, 1862, in Missouri, Miss Lucy Ann Vivien, of Camden Point, Mo., who died Feb. 6, 1872, leav- 
ing two children— Vinnie V. and Lulu C. Married, Feb. 24, 1876, Miss Mattie Nance, daughter of John 
W. Nance. They have one child- Zelma, born Sept. 14, 1878. Member of Ancient Order of United 
Workmen; member of the Cinistian Church ; liberal in politics. 

C. M. TELFER, flumer; P. 0. Fort Atkinson; born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., 
March 31, 1832 ; came to Wiscmsin June 1, 1845, and located in Oakland, Jefferson Co. Married, Feb. 

15, 1853, Miss D. Dickinson, who died Sept. 24, 1861, and is buried at Chester, 111. He married again, 
June 17, 1869, Sally Chapman, daughter of Edniond and Mary Ann (nee Mills ) Chapman ; she died March 

16, 1874. He married again, June 3, 1875, Augusta M. Bliss; his children are George D., born Nov. 19, 
1856; Mingo A., April 26, 1859; Davidson C, bnrn Sept. 24, 1861, and died Sept. 21, 1864; Lillian 
A., Sept. 16, 1877. Republican ; member of the Consret^ational Church. 

F. E. TRUAX, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 16, 
1316; came to Wisconsin in 1868, and located in Oakland, Jefl'erson Co. Married Mary House July 8, 



698 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

1842; she died Sept. 30, 1863, leaving two children — Ada A. and Kate L. In 1868, he married Mrs. 
Laura Clemens ; they had two children — Frank E. and William E. Member of the Methodist Church ; 
Democrat. 

DAVID H. WALKKR, Fort Atkinson ; horn in Pendleton, Erie Co., N. ¥., Nov. 10, 1828 ; 
son of William B. and Farney (Hart) Walker; came West and located in Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1854, 
and bought a farm of 200 acres in Koshkonong ; farmed for two or three years, and, in 1859, commenced 
business in agricultural implements, the first business of this kind in Fort Atkinson, which he continued 
successfully until April, 1879, when he sold out on account of ill health. Married, Nov. 7, 1852. Miss 
Julia A., daughter of Louis and Elizabeth (Eddsail) Dennis, of Tonawanda, N. Y. ; have three children — 
Willis H., born July 15. 1.S55; George L., March 20, 1859; Hattie E., Sept. 13, 1802. Elected to 
County Bbard of Supervisors in the spring of 1878 ; member of Good Templars; member of the Congre- 
gational Church ; Republican. 

WALTER WKSCETT, farmer, P. 0. Whitewater; born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Oct. 11, 
1830; came to Wisconsin in 1844, with his parents, and purchased present homestead of 201) acres of 
land. Married Miss Hannah Chadwick, daughter of John Chad wick, Jan. 9, 1858, who died Aug. 28, 
1862; had one child— Eugene, born July 2, 1860; he married the second time, Oct. 19, 1864, Miss 
Helen Thatcher, of Ontario Co., N. Y. ; have three children — Eben T., born Nov. 12, 1865; Cornelia 
G., Oct. 12, 18G7; Homer, July 28, 1870. Member of the Methodist Church ; Republican. 

DR. H. O. WHITE, Fore Atkinson; born in Sal.em, Mass., Dec. 6, 1824; son of Judge D. 
A. White, of Salem, Mass., where he received his early education ; entered Harvard College at Cam- 
bridge, Mass., when only 14 years old, and graduated in the spring of 1843; studied medicine with Dr. 
William Johnson AValker, of Boston; also afterward attended University of Pennsylvania; about 1845, 
began a European tour and studied to increase his knowledge of surgery ; in 1 848, returned to America, locat- 
ing in Salem, Mass., where he practiced as City Physician till in 1850, when he went to St. Louis ; practiced 
there for two years; in 1852, came to Wisconsin, locating at Fort Atkinson. Married, in 1855, Miss Dor- 
othea Dargavel, daughter of William Dargavel, of Brockville, Ontario Province, Canada ; have six chil- 
dren— Mary W., born Aug. 22, 1856 ; Emily H., June 13, 1858; Daniel A., March 24, 1860 ; Lizzie 
W., June 27, 1862 ; William D., Nov. 2, 1863; Henry M., June 2, 1SB9. Dr. White is a member of 
the Medical State Boards of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Missouri. Family attend the Unitarian 
Church ; Democratic. 

R. S. WHITE, druggist, Main street. Fort Atkinson ; born six miles from the city of Belle- 
ville, Hastings Co., Ontario, Canada, Aug. 7, 1844; son of William and Jane (Shaw) White; they came 
to Wisconsin in September, 1849, and located on Siene Prairie, Dane Co., where his father died June 9, 
1853, aged 43 years. R. S. received a district-school education up to 1862, when he came to Fort 
Atkinson .and attended the high school one year ; in 1863, engaged with Morrison, Manning & Co., clerking 
for them four years; in 1867, commenced his present business ; his stock comprises drugs and groceries. 
Married, in 1865, Miss Agnes L. Foot, daughter of E. L. Foot, of New York ; have had four children — 
Herbert E., Lilly B. (died in 1872, aged 11 months), Arthur B., Lulu. Was elected Treasurer of the 
village one term in 1872; President of village and Supervisor in 1875; elected Alderman in 1878; 
President of Agricultural Society of Jefferson Co., in 1879 ; member of Masons and I. 0. 0. F. and 
United Workmen. 

A. L<. WHITC09IB, firm of Whitcomb & Hudson, Lake Koshkonong Hotel ; native of 
Canada; born in the Province of Quebec, Jan. 15, 1824; son of Joshua Whitcomb and Hannah Clem- 
ent, who came to Wisconsin in 1825 ; settled in the town of Portsmouth, Scioto Co., Ohio, in the .spring 
of 1837 ; came to Green Co., Wis., and commenced farming ; they had two sons and two daughters. Mr. 
A. L. was the oldest of the family ; in 1850, he went to California over the plains, May 17 ; left St. Joseph 
the last day of June, and arrived at the South Pass of the Rocky Mountains just as the sun was going 
down, and he thinks it was the most beautiful sight he ever saw. He celebrated the Fourth of July on 
the Green River. Landed at Salt Lake City July 21 ; arrived at Humboldt, Cal., Sept. 10 ; went to the 
Placerville Mines, from there to Cold Springs, on Webber Creek, where he wintered; remained in Cali- 
fornia fifteen years; returned home in 1865, by steamer, via New York, to Albany, Dane Co., Wis., where 
he engaged in farming pursuits. Mr. Hudson and himself have purchased seVfenty-three acres of land on 
the banks and bluffs of Lake Koshkonong, where they erected a very fine and comfortable hotel, for the 
accommodation of excursionists, hunters and fishing parties. This lake abounds in fish ; duck, geese, snipe, 
woodcock and meadow-birds are in great abundance. This is one of the best localities for sport in the 
country. Mr. Whitcomb married Miss Jane Briton, in California, in 1863; they had one child, Joshua, 
born in 1864, died in 1865 ; buried in Amador Co., Cal. Mrs. Whitcomb died in Ohio, in 1877 ; second 



KOSHKOXONG TOWNSHIP. 699 

marriage to Miss Jane Moore, daughter of George Moore, formerly of England; have one child — Willis, 
born the last Sunday in May, 1879. Mr. Whiteomb is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. and of the Grange ; 
liberal in religion and politics. 

OLiEi WltirDALiE, hardware merchant, Fort Atkinson ; born in the Parish of Birkrem, Diocese 
of Christian Sands, Norway, Dec. 17, 1834. Mr. Wigdale was left an orphan at the age of 10 years, and 
has ever since battled with the Fates, single-handed and alone ; when 17 years old, he entered a provision 
store in Bergen, Norway, receiving for his services the munificent sum of $12 a year ; emigrated to America 
in 1853 ; came West and located at Cambridge, Dane Co., where he attended school, then worked in Norton's 
saw-mill at Janesville, for a couple of months, then engaged in Norman Dutcher's store as clerk ; in 1853, 
went to Beloit and served his time at the tinner's trade ; was with John C. Burr one year ; opened busi- 
ness for himself in Cambridge, Dane Co., in January, 1857, hardware, tins and stoves; sold out in 1867, 
moved to Fort Atkinson and re-opened business in the same line. Married Miss Margaret Stinson, daughter 
of Rev. Christopher Stinson, of Cambridge, Dane Co.; have six children — Amanda L., born Jan. 20, 
1851); Otto C, April 12, 1861 ; p]nuis S., Jan. 31, 1864; Edwin A., Nov. 25, 1865; Tenna II., Feb. 
1, 1868; Norman A., Dec. 11, 1873. Held the office of Town Treasurer of Christiana, Dane Co., two 
terms, and one term as Supervisor ; member of Ancient Order of United Workmen ; family attend the 
Methodist Church ; Republican in politics. 

HOKACE D. WIIiliARD, M. D., for thirty years a prominent citizen of Jeft'erson Co., 
and at present a resident merchant and manufacturer of the city of Fort Atkinson ; was born in the town 
of Volney, Oswego Co., N. Y., on the 2d day of May, A. D. 1825. His parents were not wealthy, even 
as wealth was counted in those days, and, being the fifth in a family of six children, be learned at an early 
age that by his own unaided efforts he must work out the problem of his life. At the age of 21, he found 
himself possessed of a good English education, and a fair reputation as a public teacher. As a life-work, 
he chose the medical profession, and commenced reading under the instructions of William B. Coye, M. D., 
of Gilbertsville, in that county. Having been inured to habits of patient thought, and rather delighting in 
mental labor, he made such progress as to attract the attention of the medical fraternity, and was awarded 
the '' College Beneficiary," which, under a law of that State, was given to the most worthy student in each 
Congressional District. In the spring of 1849, he graduated from the Geneva Medical School. On the 
11th of the following July, he was married to Miss Elizabeth S. Vickery, eldest daughter of Stevens and 
Jerusha D. Vickery, old and honored residents of Onondaga Co. Thus armed and equipped for his duels 
with Death, and supported by his beautiful, brave and devoted '-second," he anticipated Greeley's advice, 
and " went West." He settled in the village of Aztalan, where for seven years he gave his undivided 
attention to the practice of his profession. At the end of this time, his health foiling, he sold out and 
spent one year in travel and recuperation, and then resumed business at Lake Mills, within the circle of his 
former ride and old friends ; here he remained until 1866, when he again found his constitution giving 
way under the arduous duties and responsibilities of an extensive practice, and reluctantly concluded that 
he must abandon the profession he loved, in which he had made many warm friends, acquired a compe- 
tency, and gained an enviable reputation. This point once settled in his mind, he immediately removed to 
Fort Atkinson. Here he at once entered with zeal and energy into many of the enterprises which have 
made that city so prosperous. One of his first acts was to join in organizing the Northwestern Manufac- 
turing Company, in which he has been one of the Directors almost without intermission since its formation, 
and which has become one of the largest and most successful manufacturing companies in the Northwest. 
He is also a stockholder in the Foundry and Machine Company, and for the last six years has kept their 
books and attended to the correspondence. He has, however, since his residence here, given his attention 
more particularly to the mercantile business At present, he has associated with him N. F. Hopkins and 
F. M. Vickery, active, thorough business men. They conduct the business under the firm name of Willard 
& Co., and are supposed to h.ave been somewhat successful. Though Dr. Willard makes no pretentions to 
being a politician, in the modern acceptation of the term, he has kept himself well posted on the political 
movements of the day. Of Democratic antecedents, he early espoused the Antislavery cause, which was 
in exact line with his strongly sympathetic nature and keen sense of right and wrong. He was a member 
of the convention at Madison, twenty-five years ago, which inaugurated the Republican party in this State. 
Also assisted in the organization of that party in Jefferson Co., and consented to allow his name on the 
county ticket. In 1860, when the mutterings of Southern discontent became ominous, and uncompromis- 
ing Union men, with brave hearts and stern convictions, were needed in our councils, he was nominated and 
elected to the State Legislature for the session of 1861. Here he supported with vote and voice, with z»al 
and energj', all me.i.sures looking to a vigorous pro.secution of the war, and opposed with equal earnestness 
every effort to purchase peace by a compromise with slavery. Hence, he opposed with all the force of his 



700 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

positive nature the resolution to send delegates to tlie " Washington Peace Convention," the object of which 
was to settle the difficulty by concessions. At the time, he was censured somewhat by some of his political 
friends. His " maiden " speech in the Legislature was in defense of his position on this question, in 
which he recognized a power behind the war, which could not be compromised. A brief extract from his 
remarks on that occasion, will, perhaps, better illustrate the force and style of his oratory, than anything we 
might say. ******* u gj^^ there are worse conditions than secession or 
di.ssolution-^worse things than war, be it civil or servile — worse things than death, among which are <h's- 
honorah/f humilintlon, yirhling up a vital principle at the suggestion of a mortal foe, stahhing the God- 
dess of Liberty to pucifi/ the demon of slavery. * * * * Gentlemen know not what 
they ask. They ask us, sir, to quench the spirit of the age, an all-pervading element in the atmosphere 
of to-day, inhaled into the bosom of every man all over God's earth. Thousands of poor serfs, toiling upon 
the surfeited plains of Russia, have felt its inspiration ; the dark-eyed Italians around the regal ruins of 
Bome are shouting hallelujahs to it to-day, while we, poor devil-serving Christians of America, are talking 
about driving back the resistless tide, and crushing out the spirit of the nineteenth century, by a simple 
resolution to perpetuate the century's greatest crime. What though they do resolve to amend the Constitution 
so as to throw around the " peculiar institution " all the guarantees it ever dared ask ? What then ? Resolu- 
tions, treaties, compacts and constitutions are but the creatures of man, must and will crumble before the 
onward tread of public opinion. Sir, undertake to re-animate the smoldering dust that sleeps on Bunker's 
gory battle-bed, or recall the grains of powder that were flashed upon the plains of Lexington ; but in the 
name of consistency, in the dignity of common sense, do not undertake the more impossible task of check- 
ing the advancing virtues of the American people. All past experience — the gathering storm — the con- 
vulsive agony of this hour, and the eternal truths of God, declare with fearful distinctness that there is 
no safety for this nation while one breath of slavery belies the immortal principles of the Declaration. We 
must recognize and accept the necessity of this war. There be devils that go not out by fiisting and prayer." 
The full text of this speech appeared in several of the journals, and received quite favorable criticism. His 
constituents indorsed his action on this and other questions, by renominating him at the next convention. 
This honor he deemed it his duty to decline. He has served many years on the County Board, and tilled 
other places of honor and trust, and his most bitter political enemies accredit him with an unstained official 
record. He was in full sympathy and accord with the Republican party until the re-nomination of Presi- 
dent Grant, for whom he could in nowi.sc be induced to vote a second time, but took the stump for Horace 
Greeley. Since then, he classes him.self among the Independents, though he supported Samuel J. Tilden. 
He is a good speaker and writer, easy, dear, forcible, and at times quite humorous. He has always been 
a firm, consistent, outspoken temperance man. Was run for Mayor at the last municipal election on that 
issue, and was defeated. Having fortunately drawn a prize in the matrimonial lottery. Dr. Willard's domestic 
relations have ever been exceptionally pleasant, and his intimate friends have often heard him attribute 
much of his success in life to the cheerful support and .sympathy of his wife, and all the pleasures of his 
home life to a mutual confidence which has never been weakened. The fruit of their union is one daughter 
— Julia Adele (now Mrs. C. A. Caswell), a pleasant, accomplished lady. Her husband is the son and law 
partner of Hon. L. H. Caswell, member of Congress. All residents of Fort Atkinson. 

DR. JOSEPH WIXSLOW, Fort Atkinson; born in Windsor, Windsor Co., Vt., Feb. 
23, 1810; son of Joseph and Rebecca (Fish) Winslow ; was educated at Windsor Academy; about 1829, 
he commenced to study medicine with his cousin, John Winslow, at Berlin, Vt. ; attended Woodstock 
Medical College two terms ; in 1832, he entered Berkshire Medical College, at Pittsfield, Mass., and grad- 
uated in 1833. Moved to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and remained one year, teaching school and practicing. 
In the fall of 1835, he came to Michigan, making a short visit there, and came to Racine, where he 
remained one year; thence to Milwaukee, remaining there two years; in 1837, he located in Fort 
Atkinson and made a claim of See. 25, entire section, and a half section besides, and commenced farming; 
broke the first ground in the summer of 1838 ; continued farming for ten years, when, finding a great 
demand for his medical services, he opened practice once more. Married, Aug. 20, 1840, Miss Sarah 
Bingham, who died May 9, 1846. August, 1847, married Eliza Travor, who died February, 1858 ; 
went to California in 1849, and returned in 1851 ; married again, Oct. 9, 1860, Miss Matilda B. Rice; 
his children are Rush, born Nov. 7, 1843; Adolphus, April 10, 1S46. died at the age of 6 months, chil- 
dren of first wife; children of his third wife — Erie, May 17, 1864; Lynn, May 18, 1866. Dr. Winslow 
has been President of the village for several terms; member of the Legislature one term, 1868-69. His 
family attends Universalist ('hurch ; he is a member of Masonic Fraternity and I. 0. 0. F. ; a Democrat. 

CHARLES J. WOOD, farmer. Sec. 9; P. (). Fort Atkinson; born in Windsor Co., Vt., 
Oct. 21, 1816 ; came to Wisconsin and located in Milford in 1842 ; in 1867, he came to JeflFerson Co. 



LAKE MILLS TOWJsTSHIP. 701 

and purchased his present homestead. Married, January, 1848, Miss Amy Plumb, daughter of Daniel 
Plumb, of New York ; have four children living and two dead — Herbert L., Frank P., Charles T. and 
Clara B., living; Clara A. and Ella H., dead. His family attend the Congregational Church ; Republican. 
LIJCIAN V. ZOMDER, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Cold Springs ; born in Troy, N. Y., May U>, 
1812 ; he came to Wisconsin in 183G, and purchased eighty acres of land in Milwaukee, where he lived 
till 1850, when he came and settled in Farmington, and bought eighty acres of land ; in 18(39, he sold 
this property, and came and settled on Sec. 12, Koshkonung, purchasing ninety-seven acres of land. 
Married, Dec. 4, 184(3, Mrs. Rebecca Northrup, daughter of Hezekiah Whitney; had five children — 
Lucian Y., born Nov. 28, 1847 ; James T., Nov. 4, 1849; Lycurgus J., Dec. 23, 1851 ; Francis 0., 
Dec. 13, 1855 ; George E., July 3, 1859 ; Mrs. Zomder, by her first marriage, had six children — Eloisa 
A., born Sept. 3, 1834; Mary, Jan. 7, 183G ; Henry W., Oct. 23, 1838 ; Louisa, May 17, 1840 ; Will- 
iam, May 17, 1842 ; Anna, April 1, 1844, died, aged 10 months. Mr. Zomder enlisted in Company E, 
37th W. V. I., March 25, 1865; mustered out July 27, 18(35; James enlisted with his fether in the 
same regiment and company, and mustered out at the same time; Lucian enlisted Sept. 3, 1864, in Com- 
pany B, 3d W. V. I., and served nine months; his stepson, William Northrup, enlisted Sept. 4, 1864, in 
Company E, 1st. Wis. Heavy Artillery, discharged June 26, 1865, and died Sept. 5, 1865. Mr. Zomder 
has served in many oiBces of the county — Justice of the Peace two years, and Clerk of the School District 
nine years. Liberal in religion ; Republican. 



LAKE MILLS TOWNSHIP. 

If. J. ANDERSON, proprietor meat market, Lake Mills ; born in Christiania, Norway, Oct. 
20, 1848; came to America in 1866, locating at Lake Mills, and went to work on a farm ; in 1867, 
engaged as clerk in mercantile business of Fargo & Harvey ; in 1876, opened his present business. Mar- 
ried, at Lake Mills, Oct. 20, 1870, Sarah A. Fargo, of Lake Mills; have four children. 

A. Cw. BERNARD, editor and proprietor of Lake Mills Spike; born at Brighton, Long 
Island, July 28, 1848; came to Wisconsin in February, 1877, from Ohio, where he had resided for sev- 
eral years, occupying a position on the editorial staff of the Cleveland Plaindealer ; located at Edgerton, 
Wis., and engaged in iournalism ; Nov. 12, 1878, started his present paper at Lake Mills, Jefferson Co. 

GEORGE VV. BLACK, Assistant Postmaster, Lake Mills; born in Cortland Co., N. Y., 
Aug. 7, 1843 ; came to Wisconsin in 1847. His father, Riley Black, settled in the vicinity of Lake 
Mills; engaged in farming until his death in July, 1870. George W. Black, in 1863, began teaching 
penmanship in Watertown and other places; in 1866, went to farming; in 1870, came to Lake Mills, 
where he started a barber-shop and confectionery store ; in 1875, was appointed Assistant Postmaster; 
has been Town and Village Clerk for some years. Married, at Oakland, Jan. 4, 1864, Matilda C. Ritchie, 
of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. ; has one child living. 

J. B. CH ESMORE, Postmaster, Lake Mills ; born in Chelsea, Orange Co., Vt., Aug. 17, 1834 ; 
came to Wisconsin in 1855 ; located at Lake Mills, engaged in boot and shoe business ; in 1862, received 
appointment of Postmaster, which position he has since held, doing also business in school-books, stationery, 
etc. Married, at Johnson, Vt., February, 1858, Miss Nancy P. Dimick, of Vermont; has two children — 
Dora B. and Elmer L. 

CHARLES D. COOK, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Lake Mills ; born in Lake Mills Township, 
March 10, 1848. Married, at Lake Mills, Sept. 23, 1872, Eliza A. Fleming, of that place ; has one 
child living and lost one ; owner of eighty acres; is also managing the estate of his father, Homer Cook, 
who settled with his family in Lake Mills in 1845; is now in California; his estate here comprises some 
2,000 acres. 

JA^IIES CRUMP, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Lake Mills; born in England July 7, 1825; emi- 
grated to America in 1833; came to Wisconsin in 1844; went to work at his trade of cooper at Lake 
Mills; in 1850, went to making carriages and wagons; in 1852, went to California; returned in 1854, 
and bought 160 acres where he is at present located. Married, at Lake Mills, Jan. 29, 1855, Diantha 
Thayer, a native of New York ; has three children. 

ALBERT ENGLISH, meat market. Lake Mills; born in JefiFerson Co., N. Y.; came with 
his father to Lake Mills in 1844. In 1857, began making brooms, but, in a short time, went to work on 



702 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

a farm ; in 1800, went to California, returning in 1863; he enlisted in the 46th W. V. I.; was mustered 
out with his regiment at the close of the war; in 1871, bought his present business. Married, at Lake 
Mills, Jan. 15, 1866, Laura A. White; has two boys. 

WILLIAM EVERSOX, farmer. Sec. 24; P. 0. Lake Mills ; born in Aztalan, Jefferson Co., 
Wis., June 2U, 1841. Married, at Lake Mills, June 2, 1867, Miss Elizabeth Rathbun, a native of Mich- 
igan ; have three children — Fanny, born June 2, 1869 ; Frank, Jan. 7, 1872, and baby, born April 12, 
1878 ; they own 250 acres. 

E. B. FARGO, merchant, Lake Mills; born in New London, Conn., Feb. 18, 1822; came to 
Wisconsin in the fall of 1845, located at Lake Mills and engaged in mercantile business; in 1848, pur- 
chased of Millard & Pickard the original site of the village, including the mills; gave his attention to 
conducting mills and farming ; he with his brother, Lyman Fargo, Miles Millard and Ambrose Foster 
built, in 1847, the first foundry west of Milwaukee, Mr. Fargo owning at one time two-thirds of it; in 
1862, sold his interest in foundry and built his present store and resumed mercantile business ; has also a 
firm of 290 acres. Married, in Genesee Co., N. Y., Nov. 22, 1844, Marilla Churchill, of New York, 
daughter of Gen. Churchill ; they have six children. 

(]}EORCiiE T. FA R«0, farmer, Sec. 23; P.O. Lake Mills; born in Seneca Co., N. Y., 
April 25, 1850 ; came to Wisconsin in 1867, and engaged as clerk in mercantile business of his uncle, E. 
B. Fargo, at Lake Mills, uniil he moved on his father's farm, where he is at present. Married, at Lake 
3Iills, Sept. 30, 1875, Catharine Taylor, of Michigan ; have two children. The farm of 200 acres was 
purchased by his father, the Rev. Isaac Fargo, in 1853. 

L.. D. FARGrO, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Tousley ; born in Connecticut Nov. 22, 1824. His 
parents moved to Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1832. He came to Wisconsin in 1845, arriving at Milwaukee 
Nov. 5 ; came to Lake Mills in 1846 ; took up 120 acres of Government land where his present farm is 
situated. His farm now comprises 520 acres, under cultivation except sixty-five a...'es. Besides farming, 
he carried on the nursery business for twelve years. Married, in Genesee Co , N. Y., AprU 4, 1848, 
Sarah Rich, of (rencsee Co., N. Y.; have a familv of three children living; have lost three. 

GEOR<]rE 5$. GRIi^WOIiD, manufacturer. Lake Mills; born at Stafford, N. Y., Aug. 15, 
1828; came to Wisconsin in 1850 ; located at Lake Mills and engaged in the manufacture of farming 
implements. Married, at Lake Mills, Sept. 8, 1852, Elbina E. Merriam, of Oswego Co., N. Y.; have two 
boys. 

W. R. HARVEY, merchant. Lake Mills; born at Lake Mills Feb. 10,1845; engaged in his 
present business in 1859. Married, in New Jersey, April 19, 1871, Miss Georgia Delaware, of Troy, N. 
Y.; have one child. His father, Enoch Harvey, was one of the eurly settlers, having located in Jefferson 
Co. in 1843. 

L. A. HILDRETH, blacksmith, Lake Mills; born Sept. 22, 1831 ; came to Wisconsin in 
1849 ; went to work at his trade at Lake Mills, Aug. 19, 1862 ; enlisted in 3d Wis. Light Artillery ; 
went into active service, participating in all battles with the battery, among them Stone River, Chicka- 
mauga. Mission Ridge, and others; was mustered out at Madison July 3, 1865 ; returned to his present 
occupation. Married, at Lake Mills, in January, 1856, Sarah Lusted, of England; have three 
children. 

S. P. HITCHCOCK, hotel proprietor, Lake Mills; born in Burlington, Hartford Co., 
Conn., Oct. 1, 1812 ; came to Wisconsin in 1849 ; went to farming in Lake Mills Township. In 1868, 
purcha.sed an interest in the agricultural manufactory at the village of Lake Mills. In 1873, began keep- 
ing the Lake Side Hotel at that place. He has held various local offices. Married, Jan. 1, 1845, Miss 
Louise Parker, at Naples, Ontario Co., N. Y.; she is a native of that placq ; have five children. 

WILLIAm L. HOSKIXS, merchant, Lake Mills; born in Erie Co., Penn., Dec. 24, 
1828 ; came to Wisconsin in June, 1858, locating at Lake Mills, and engaged in mercantile business. In 
1871, was elected to the State Legislature ; reelected in 1872 ; has held various local offices. Married in 
Pennsylvania, in November, 1858, Philenna Hutchins, of Pennsylvania ; has three children. 

SAMl'EL HOf!$LEY, retired farmer. Lake Mills; born in Townsend, Mass., May 8, 1815; 
came to Wisconsin in October, 1837 ; went to work at Lake Mills splitting rails. In 1838, went to Rock- 
ford ; thence to Madison, where he helped to build the State Capitol ; was given a commission as Captain 
of militia. In 1845, went to farming in Aztalan Township. In 1877, sold his farm of 244 acres, and 
moved to his present residence. Mr. Hosley believes he is the only one now living who spent the winter 
of 1837-38 at Lake Mills. Married, at Lake Mills, January, 1S42, Emeline Pessamore, of New York, 
who died in 1872. Manied the second time, at Fort Atkinson, Sept. 26, 1874, Nora Allen (nee Briton), 
of New York ; has three children living. His son Charles now keeps a livery stable at Lake Mills. 



I 



^ 






LAKE MILLS TOWNSHIP. 703 

E. a. KALTENBRl'N, hardware merchant, Lake Mills ; born in Germany Sept. 25, 1836 ; 
■came to Wisconsin in ] 852 ; located at Watertown ; went to work at his trade of tinsmith. In 1855, 
came to Lake Mills and engaged in mercantile business with Mr. J. H. Bruns; they opened the first hard- 
ware business in the village. In 1856, he went to Chicago, then to Colorado, returning to Lake Mills in 
1864 ; went into hardware business. In 1869, sold out to F. W. Myers ; started again, in 1874, the busi- 
ness he is now in. Married, at Lake Mills, Nov. 10, 1865, Augusta Rosenberg, of Germany ; have two 
children. 

S. S. KEYES, cabinetmaker. Lake Mills; born in Northfield, Vt., Aug. .3, 1817; came to 
Wisconsin in 1848 ; went to work at his trade at Lake Mills. In 1856, engaged in mercantile business. 
In 1859, weut to Madison, where he was employed as clerk in the post office. In 1860, was appointed 
Postmaster at Lake Mills. In 1863, went to Chicago, III, where he remained until 1867 : has held sev- 
eral local offices; was commissioned by Gov. Dodge, during his administration, as Captain of rifles and pro- 
moted to Major. Married, in Washington Co., Vt., Nov. 14, 1838, Martha Boys, of New Hampshire ; 
have five children— Charles A., born Nov. 11, 1839 ; Eliza Z., Nov. 30, 1840 ; Jennie A., Aug. 30, 1845; 
Norman D., Sept. 6, 1848; Kittie H., March 2, 1851. Mr. Keyes' father, Capt. Joseph Keyes, and 
family, were the first white settlers of Lake Mills; came there in 1837, having landed in Milwaukee in 
June of the previous year. 

CASPAR KROGH, farmer and miller. Sec. 19; P. 0. Kroghville ; born in Norway Sept. 
27, 1812 ; came to America in 1843; located in Racine Co., Wis.; went to work at his trade of gunsmith. 
In 1848, came to Kroghville; purchased the saw-mill and a few acres of land; operated the mill and 
. worked at his trade. In 1853, built a grist-mill, which he still owns. In 1858, started a brickyard; 
made brick one season. In 1859, he built his present residence with brick of his own manufacture. In 
1868, built a woolen factory. Has been Justice of the Peace for some years ; elected in 1855. Married, 
in Norway, in 1838, Catharine Johnson, of Norway ; have nine children living; lost two ; is owner of 
sixty-seven acres of land in Jefferson Co. and 160 in Dane Co. 

CHARLES J. MIL,L,ARD, farmer. Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Lake Mills ; born in Otsego Co., N. 
Y., Jan. 17, 1845 ; came to Wisconsin in 1847. His father, Judson Millard, purchased and settled upon 
the farm now occupied by C. J., where he remained until his death, in 1865. Charles J. Millard, Aug. 
14, 1862, enlisted in tlie 39th W. V. I., Co. D ; went into active service ; participated in all battles with 
the regiment ; slightly wounded at Jackson, Miss.; at expiration of term of service, was mustered out with 
the regiment at Madison in July, 1865 ; returned to Lake Mills ; went to farming and managing the 
Rock Lake Creamery. Has been Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for two years. Married, at 
Columbus, Wis., Oct. 3, 1866, Evaline Aldrich, of Watertown, Wis. ; have three children ; owns 200 
acres. 

CLAIJS WELSOK, farmer. Sec. 8; P. 0. Tousley ; born in Sweden Aug. 24, 1838; came 
to America in 1860 ; remained at Green Bay until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in the 17th W. V. 
I.; went into active service; participated in all the battles with the regiment. In 1863 or 1864, re-enlisted 
in the same company: was mustered out at Madison in July, 1865. In 1872, bought his present farm of 
150 acres. Married, at Madison, Feb. 6, 1867, Elizabeth Entwislle, of County Antrim, Ireland ; have one 
child living ; lost one. 

R. L. WEWTOBf, flxrmer. Sec. 7 ; P. O. Kroghville; born in Livingston Co., N. Y., May 23, 
1818 ; came to Wisconsin in 1844 ; located in Lake Mills Township ; went to farming and blacksmithing. 
In 1859, gave up his trade, and has been engaged on his farm since. Married, in 1845, Susan E. Spoor, 
of Orleans Co., N. Y., at which place the marriage took place; have three children: is owner of 171 
acres. 

li. E. PORTER, pattern-maker. Lake Mills ; born in Vermont Aug. 18, 1824 ; came to 
Wisconsin in 1851, and went to work at his trade of carpenter and joiner at Lake Mills; in 1852, 
he engaged in pattern-making at the foundry, where he is at present employed. Has been Village Trustee 
three or four yeai'S. Married, in Massachusetts, Nov. 26, 1846, Miss Martha J. Flint, of Mount Vernon. 
N. H. ; born March 3, 1826 ; have seven children living, three dead — Martha J., born June 20, 1848 
Rodney M., Dec. 26, 1849 ; Mary J., April 18, 1852 ; Emma B., July 16, 1854, died Aug. 22, 1857 
Elsie E., born Aug. 19, 1857, died July 5, 1858 ; Charles S., born June 20, 1869, died Jan. 8, 1860 
Walter E., born Dec. 26, 1860 ; Ulysses G., Aug. 26, 1863 ; Ettie, Aug. 30, 1865; Cora, April 22, 1873. 

O. E. RAY, insurance and pension agent ; born in Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 3, 1831 ; came to 
Wisconsin in September, 1839 ; went to work at his trade of carpenter and joiner. Enlisted, Aug. 14, 
1862, in the 29th W. V. I. ; went into active service, participating in several battles ; was wounded 
at the battle of Champion Hills, May 16, 1863 ; remained in hospital until August, joined the regiment, 

w 



704 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

and was sent home on recruiting service ; January, 1864, returned to his regiment and went on the Red 
River campaign ; mustered out at Shreveport, La., May >22, 1865, receiving his discharge at Madison, 
Wis. Came to Lake Mills and engaged in the insurance business and working as his trade; is pension 
agent; has been Town Treasurer six years; was l^resident of the Village Board in 1875, was elected 
Justice of the Peace in 1S77 ; is a member of the L O. 0. F., and F. & A. M. While in the army he 
held the rank of First Sergeant, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Captain. Married, at Lake 
Mills, Sept, 5, 1851), Harriott Lustead, of England ; have two children living. 

B. B. SANBORN, grocer and confectioner, Lake Mills; born at Littleton, Grafton Co., 
N. H., July 27, 1834 ; came to Wisconsin, October, 1855 ; located at Lake Mills ; went to work at his' 
trade of carpenter and joiner; in 1856, went to Whitewater, where he worked at his trade; in 1858, 
went to Richland Co., and engaged in same business ; from there went to Green Co. On May 7, 1862, 
enlisted in the 20th W. V. I. ; went into active service, and participated in all the battles with the regi- 
ment. Was mustered out of service Aug. 10, 1865, returning to Lake Mills, and resuming his former 
occupation ; in 1870, went into the cabinet and furniture business; in 1877, started his present business. 
Has been Clerk of the School Board, Town Clerk, member of the Village Board, and is now President 
of the same. Married, at Lake Mills, Sept. 1, 1857, Mary J. Foster, of Steuben Co., N. Y., daughter of 
William H. Foster, one of the early settlers of Lake Mills. Mr. Sanborn has three children. 

F. A. SEAVER, knife manufacturer. Lake Mills ; born in Vermont, Nov. 8, 1822 ; came to 
Wisconsin in 1845 ; located at Lake INlills, and engaged in blacksmithing ; in 1875, went into his present 
business ; in 1852, went to California, where he worked at his trade and mining, returning in 1855. Is 
one of the Board of Village Trustees. Married, at Lake Mills, Jan. 1, 1846, Sarah A. Miller, of Mass- 
achusetts, whose family were among the early settlers; they settled at Lake Mills in 1845. Mr. Seaver 
has two children— Harriet, born Jan. 21, 1848 ; Fred M., July 18, 1856. 

C. C. SMITH, miller, Lake Mills ; born in Mecklenburg, Pru.ssia, Aug. 8, 1830; came to 
America in ]S5(i, locating at Watertown, Wis. ; engaged in milling business, following his business in 
Watertown and Waukesha Co. until 1874, then came to Lake Mills and bought the mill he is running. 
Married, at Watertown, in 1862, Matilda Kruegar, of Germany; have four children, two boys and two 
girls. 

ELI AS TAYIiOR, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Lake Mills; born in County Antrim, Ireland, Dec. 
23, 1832: came to America in 1852; located on his present farm of 200 acres. Married, in Aztalan, 
Wis., Jan. 12, 1863, Miss Kittie McKee, a native of Charington, Canada; born Feb. 22, 1842 ; have 
three children living, two having died — Amanda F., bom April 18, 1865, died Nov. 28, 1870 ; Walter 
M., born July 28, 1868, died Dec. 24, 1870 ; Llewellyn B., born Sept. 12, 1871 ; Florence S., born Sept. 
6, 1874 ; Victor K., horn Feb. 8, 1876. 

WILLIAM H. TORREY, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. KroghviUe ; born in Ashtabula Co., 
Ohio, July 30, 1S40 ; came tu Wi.-iconsiu in 1847 ; his parents, with family, settled in Lake Mills Town- 
ship ; on Feb. 14, 1864, he enlisted in the 50th W. V. I. ; was mustered out at Madison in April, 1865 ; 
returned to his farm — is owner of 130 acres. 

RICHARD VANSLYKE, carpenter and joiner. Lake Mills ; born in Wyoming Co., N. 
Y., Nov. 8, 1822 ; came to Wisconsin in 1859 ; went to work at his trade at Lake Mills. Enlisted, Aug. 
29, 1862, in the 3d Wis. Battery, Light Artillerj' ; went into active service ; he not only participated in 
all of the battles in which his battery was engaged, but also in some while on detached service. In 1864, 
went with the 1st Illinois Battery through the Georgia campaign ; returned to 3d Battery, February, 1865, 
at Murfreesboro ; was transferred Feb. 28, 1865, to 8th Battery, Wisconsin Light Artillery ; April 14, 
1865, was transferred to 6th Wisconsin Battery; mustered out at Madison July 3, 1865. Married, in 
Livingston Co., N. Y., May 18, 1853, Sophia A. Beckwith, of Wyoming Co., N. Y. ; have three children 
living. 



OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 

T. C. BLANCHARD, farmer. Sec. 16; P. O. Oakland; born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Oct. 
4, 1839, where he passed his early life and received a good common-school education ; graduated at S. N. 
Bassett's Mercantile College; at the age of 16, came to Wisconsin, and located in Oakland Co. in 1855; 
engaged in farming till 1856, when he returned to his home in York State; July, 1858, returned to Wis- 
consin. In 1860, married Miss Eliza M. Snell, who was born Oct. 12, 1840; was the first white child 



OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 705 

born in Oakland; have two children — Lilly and Minnie. In 1866, he was Treasurer; in 1867, Town 
Clerk; 1871-74, Chairman of the Town Board four consecutive times, and again in 1876; family 
attend Baptist Church; owns 154 acres of the finest land, and makes a specialty of dairy business; is a 
member of the firm of Olin, Crossfield & Co., who are operatins; three different factories. 

F. O. CROSSFIKLD, farmer, Sec. 10; P. 0. Fort Atkinson; born in Gun Plain Township, 
Allegan Co., Mich., Feb. 15, 1856 ; received a good common-school education ; was brought up a fiirmer; 
he is the son of C. P. Crossfield; came with his father to Wisconsin in 1867 ; located in Oakland Town- 
ship ; bought land and engaged at farming. F. 0. married, Nov. 8, 1877, Miss Klva Earl, who was born in 
Galesburg, Kalamazoo Co., Mich. Mr. Cro.ssfield owns eighty acres of land, well improved ; manages 100 
acres adjoining his, belonging to his father ; raises a variety of crops ; makes a specialty of the dairy bus- 
iness. Republican. 

JOHN CUKTIS, farmer, Sec. 10; P. 0. Fort Atkinson; born in New Hampshire Aug. 30, 
1831 ; born and brought up a farmer; came to Wisconsin and located in Jefl'eison Township and engaged 
at farming. Married, in October, 1854, Miss Olivia L. Burdick, who was born in New York June 10, 
1836; they have- seven children — Norah, Primer, Eugene, Bella, Nettie, Justin, Winnie. Mr. Curtis 
farmed on shares for a few years in Jefferson Township, then removed to Lincoln Township, Adams Co., 
where he farmed in the same way; returned to Oakland Township in March, 1879; bought 160 acres, 
formerly owned by George C. Smith; the farm is in goo^ condition, with all latest improvements; Mr. 
Curtis raises usual crops and stock of the county ; makes a specialty of dairying. Has always voted the 
Republican ticket. 

WILLIAM EUSTIS, farmer. Sees. 11 and 12; P. O. Fort Atkinson; born in Newbury- 
Dort, Mass., May 4, 1799, where he received only a common-school education ; when quite young, went to 
Eastport, Me., where he clerked in a dry-goods store for three years ; when 21 years of age he entered 
the dry-goods trade for himself; that business he followed successfully till 183G. Married, in Eastport, 
Me., April 6, 1823. Miss Frances Weinslar, who was born in Portland June 6, 1804 ; their children are 
— Elizabeth, Frances and William ; their mother died in December, 1835. He then removed, with his 
children, to Sangamon Co., 111., where he pre-empted 400 acres of prairie land, on which he made many 
improvements. Married again, in Sangamon Co., 111., December, 1840, Miss Martha Sowell, who was 
born in Charlotte Co., Va., in February, 1814 ; had three children — Charlie, Jane, Mary. In the spring 
of 1846, he disposed of the land and moved to Wisconsin, and bought 160 acres; shortly afterward 
added 120 ; had 280 acres; eighty acres he has since sold ; the 200 acres remaining he has well improved. 
He built and occupies the only stone octagon bouse in Oakland. He raises a variety of crops and the 
usual stock of the county. Republican. In 1852, served as member of the Legislature for the Second 
District ; has been Assessor and Township Supervisor. 

WILLIAM J. FELBEL, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Oakland ; born in Prussia in November, 
1843 ; son of William and Catherine, who emigrated from Prussia to America in 1848, locating in Albany 
Co., where they followed farming till 1854, then came West and located in Whitewater, Walworth Co., 
remaining there till the spring of 1855 ; they then came and settled in Oakland Township, and pur- 
chased a farm. At the age of 13, he was apprenticed to the trade of miller, in which business he had 
both legs broken. On the 14th of August, 18G2, enlisted in Co. D, 29th W. V. I., at Fort Atkinson; 
mustered out at Shreveport, La., 19th of June, 1865. He served with his regiment in all the battles it 
participated in; returned home and re-engaged in farming. Married, June, 1867, in Whitewater, Miss 
Mary Hake, a native of Ohio; had three children — William, Eda, Alice. In 1872, purchased his 
homestead of 200 acres ; since then has put on all the modern improvements. 

JOHN GATES, farmer. Sees. 22 and 27 ; P. 0. Oakland Center ; born in Royalton Township, 
Niagara Co., N. Y., June 20, 1824 ; was born and raised on a farm ; received a limited education ; he came 
alone to Wisconsin in the autumn of 1844; located in Oakland Township, where he worked on different 
farms ; by industry and economy, he was enabled by the spring of 1845 to purchase forty acres on Sec. 33 ; 
shortly afterward purchased eighty more acresadjoining, making, all together, 120 acres, for which he paid 
$150 ; made a few improvements, and sold the farm in 1848 for $600 ; in the fall of 1848, removed ts 
Richland Co., Wis. ; bought 160 acres, which he partially improved, and sold that place at a profit in the 
beginning of 1850 ; he then returned to Oakland and bought 150 acres, partially improved, on which he 
lived and worked industriously ; in the spring of 1853, he sold the farm at a profit and bought 100 acres 
where he is now living; lias since added 200 acres; he now owns 300 acres, 280 under cultivation.; 
raises the usual crops and stock of the county ; he takes much pride in raising cattle and in dairying 
business. He married, in Oakland Township, in April, 1855, Miss Marietta Royce, who was born in 
Wyoming Co., N. Y., in December, 1833; they have had eight children, five living — Josephine, Rodellj 



706 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Judson, Byron and John ; the last two are twins. Republican. Has been Supervisor and Treasurer of 
Oakland. 

C. PERRY tiOOURICH, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Christiana, Dane Co.; born in Stock- 
bridge, Madison Co., N. Y., Feb. 8, 1831 ; son of Charles and Clara Goodrich; came witli his parents to 
Wisconsin in the spring of 184G ; located and bought a farm on Sec. 29, Oakland Township, where his 
parents lived for a number of years ; Perry received a very good common-school education ; when 18 years 
of age, he commenced to teach school ; taught for five terms ; educated himself at night in mathematical studies 
and surveying ; was always energetic in helping his parents on their farm. Married, in Cambridge, Dane Co., 
Nov. 1, 1855, Miss Frances D. Bowen, who w:ts born in Monroe Co., N. Y.; they have three children — 
William B., born in January, 1859 ; Charles, born in August, 1807; De Witt, bom in June, 1869. In the 
spring of 1856, he bought eighty acres of land, to which he has since added one hundred and thirty 
acres, ninety-five acres of which is under the plow ; raises a variety of crops, some very fine cattle ; makes 
a specialty of dairying ; makes excellent butter ; has taken premium on three grades at State fairs, in 
1878; his farm is finely improved. Is a Republican. In 1860, was elected Justice of the Peace; in 

1860, was elected County Surveyor, on a two-years term ; he is said to be a No. 1 surveyor. In October, 

1861, he enlisted in Oakland Township, in Co. I, 1st W. V. C. ; in 1862, he was appointed Sergeant; in 
May, 1863, was promoted to Fir.st Sergeant; April, 186-1, to Sergeant Major; Jan. 25, 1865, was com- 
missioned by Gov. James T. Lewis, First Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 1st Wis. Regt.; he has a very 
fine war record ; was mustered out March 7, 1865 ; returned home to his family, in Oakland Township, 
and engaged at farming, which be has since followed. In 1866, was Surveyor; served one term. In 
1868, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Legisliture, from Second District, for one term; he has also 
served as Clerk of Town Board .and Chairman. 

E. A. HART, farmer; P. 0. Oakland; born in Oneida Co., N. Y., March 3, 1825, where he 
received a common-school education, and lived on his parents' farm till 11 years old, when he commenced 
to labor for strangers ; followed farming until 23 years old, then, having accumulated §400 by hard labor, 
emigrated West, and located in Oakland, Jefferson Co., Wis., in September, 1848. Married, Feb. 12, 
1850, Marinda E. Goodrich ; they have five children — Harriet W., Jessie, Florence, Elenora and Mary. 
In 1853, he was Assessor ; in 1854, on Board of Supervisors ; in 1864, Justice of the Peace. He and his 
wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church; owns eighty-three acres of land, raising all the general 
farm stock and usual grains. 

E. C. HART, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in Oakland Township, in October, 
1849 ; the son of 0. P. and Florinda Hart. E. C. was born and raised on a farm. He received a good 
common-school education ; attended the Albion Academy. He enlisted, in January, 1865, in Co. H, 49th 
W. V. I.; mustered out Aug. 5, 1865 ; returned to Oakland; re-engaged at farming. Married, in Novem- 
ber, 1872, Miss Ella Orrendorff, who was born in Oakland in 1852 ; have two children — Lena and Flora. 
Mr. Hart owns eighty acres of land ; raises a variety of crops and the usual stock of the county ; is a 
Republican. 

1.1'CIUS Ij. hart, farmer. Sec. 27; P. 0. Oakland Center; born in Virgil Township, N. 
Y. ; born on a farm ; passed his early life in Oneida Co., N. Y., where he attended a common school ; 
when very young, he had a long distance to walk to school ; one day, about noon, there was a very severe 
snow-storm ; the .snow was three feet deep, and it turned very cold ; while going home from school, his 
liands, feet, ears and face were so badly frozen that he has ever since suffered from the effects. He fol- 
lowed farming in New York. Married, in Vernon Township, Oneida Co., March 6, 1844, Miss Rebecca 
Goodrich, a native of Madison Co., N. Y. ; they had three children — Newton, Mary and Hattie. In the 
spring of 1845, be came to Wisconsin; located on Sec. 32, Oakland Town,ship, where he purchased a claim 
of eighty acres; he endured many privations and worked hard; purchased another eighty-acre piece of land 
on Sec. 33 ; he made some very tasty improvements. In the spring of 1S78, he sold off his land on Sec. 
33, be intending to live a retired life ; afterward purchased another farm of fifty acres, well improved, with 
good barns and a neat frame liousc. Mr. Hart has led a very moral life ; never drank any liquor or intox- 
icating beverage of anv kind. Republican. 

HEXRY I^riKir, farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. Oakland; born in Prussia in October, 1842; son of 
Philip and Christina, who came to Wisconsin in July, 1843, and located in Waukesha Co. on sixty-seven 
acres; he lived with them till 1854 ; then engaged in a general store in Waukesha ; enlisted Aug. 15, 

1862, in Co. B, 28th W. V. I., and was mustered out Aug. 21, 1865, at Madison ; returned to Waukesha ; 
lived there a year and eight months; then removed to Jefl'erson Township, Jefferson Co., and bought 100 
acres of land, partially improved, which he has, by his industry, much improved. Married, in April 
1868, Louisa Miller, of Sumner; bad three children — Amelia, Charlie and William. Republican. 



OAKLAND TOWNSHIP. 707 

HOLMES IVES, fiirmer, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born in VVallinglbrd, New Haven 
Co., Conn., Nov. 3, 1814; when 1 year old, his parents moved to Berk.shirc Co., Mass., where he received 
his early education ; in 183.5, he returned to New Haven Co., Conn.; in 1838, came to Miebisan on a 
Government survey. Married Miss Rosanna Foss, who was born in June, 1820 ; had two children — Will- 
iam and Olive. Came to Wisconsin in spring of 1843, and located in Oakland, Jeft'erson Co.; owns 224 
acres of land, and was one of the prime movers in naming that township Oakland. He is one of the lead- 
ers of the Democratic party. 

JAMES IV. KENNEDY, farmer. Sec. 6; P. 0. Cambridge; born in Perth.shire, Scotland, 
March It), 1819, where he received his early education and learned the trade of carpentering; came to 
America in 1844, first to Milwaukee, thence to Milton, Rock Co., and from there to Cold Springs, JeiFer- 
son Co.; in the fall of 1845, he located in Oakland and purchased eighty acres of land, which form his 
homestead. In February, 1846, he married Dorothy C. Cachan ; have seven children — Daniel, Jane, 
Thomas, Rosanna, May, John, Dorry ; in the fall of 184(1, he cut sufficient logs to build his first hou»e ; 
the fever and ague then prevailing, he could not get sufficient help to build ; he then had the logs cut 
into timber, and, on the 1st of January, 1847, accomplished his task, underallthe disadvantages of the cold 
weather of the winter; in 1858, he built his present home, of frame, with good outbuildings; Mr. Ken- 
nedy, at diiferent times, has bought land from the Government , owns altogether 220 acres and rai.scs the 
general products of the county, horses, cattle, sheep, etc. Has served as Justice of the Peace over twenty 
years ; as Supervisor, one term ; in the spring of 1879, was elected Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. 

ROBERT N. KENNEDY, fkrmer. See. 18 and 19; P. 0. Christiana, Dane Co.; born in 
Perthshire, Scotland, in 1826 ; carpenter by trade; came to America in 1846 ; in 1874, came to Wiscon- 
sin and located in Oakland, Jefferson Co., and worked at hi.s trade, and then engaged in farming. Married, 
in March, 1850, Miss Ann Matheison, who is a native of New Brunswick; have four children — Mary J., 
Anna, Lizzy and Dugald. In 1852, he went to California on a mining expedition, also worked at his trade, 
living there till 1855, when he returned to Wisconsin. Owns 153 acres of land, raises the products of 
this county. Independent in politics. 

JAMES LAING, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Cambridge; born in Banffshire, Scotland, in April, 
1823; born and raised on a farm ; received a fair education ; has always followed farming. Married, in 
Scotland, in June, 1852, Miss Ann Forbes, a native of the same shire; have one child — Ellen, now mar- 
ried. In the autumn of 1854, Mr. Laing and his wife came direct from Scotland to Wisconsin ; located 
in Oakland Township, where he bought eighty acres, to which he has added fifty acres adjoining. Owns 
130 acres well improved. Independent in politics. He and family are members of the Cambridge Pres- 
byterian Church. 

JAMES MATHISON, farmer, Sec. 6 and 18 ; P. 0. Cambridge ; born in New Brunswick, 
May, 1831 ; son of Dugald Mathison, who was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, in 1786. In 1829, mar- 
ried May Logan, a native of County Antrim, Ireland ; they had six children — James, Dugald, Henry, John, 
Ann and Mary. Mr. James IMathison is the oldest. Mr. Mathison, Sr., came to New Brunswick and 
settled there in 1830 ; bought a flirm which he worked till 1846, when he moved West with his family, 
and located in Oakland Township, Jefferson Co., and purchased 200 acres of land ; lived there till his death 
in 1849. Mr. James Mathison and his brother, Dugald, have bought out the other heirs, and carry on the 
old homestead farm, making since then all the necessary improvements to make it a first-class farm ; they 
raise cattle and hogs extensively, and horses (owns a Norman colt two years old, weighing 1,250 pounds). 
In 1864, they bought 145 acres in Section IS. In the year 1850, they drew their wheat to Milwaukee and 
sold it for 40 and 50 cents per bushel. Independent in politics. 

R. D. MERRIMAN, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; born Oct. 14, 1829, in Litchfield 
Co., Conn. ; born and rai.sed on a farm ; received a good common-school education. At an early ago, he began 
working at farming; assisted his parents until 1850 ; then entered the butchering business, which he fol- 
lowed till 1857. Married, near his birthplace, Sept. 22, 1851, Miss Sarah Miller, who was born in Hooky 
Norton, England, in December, 1828; they have four children — Alonzo D., born Nov. 22, 1853; Adel- 
bert L., Sept. 9, 1858; Frank H., April 25, 1860; Seymour A., July 28, 1867. Mr. Merriman came 
direct from Connecticut to Wisconsin in April, 1857 ; located temporarily on Koshonoug Prairie, Dane Co., 
where his fiimily lived ; he worked a farm for a short time ; left there in November next, and removed to 
Grand Marsh Township, Adams Co., where he bought an unimproved eighty acres of land, which he sold 
at a profit in 1857. In March, 1859, he and family removed to Jefferson Co. ; located in Oakland Town- 
ship, where he worked a farm on shares ; he bought forty acres of land where he now lives, on which he 
built a new barn and a frame house ; in 1869, he made another purchase of sixty acres of land ; raises the 
usual crops and stock of the county (Durham-grade cattle); makes a .specialty of dairying. Democrat. 



708 BIOGRAPHICAl. SKETCHES: 

Q. €. OLOk, araer. Se<s. 22,37 ami 2S; P. O. Oikkad Ceater; bon ia Gutoa Township. Si. 
LavKBoe Ox. N. T.. Joae 7. l?^ : ham a»d ntsed o« a &i« : ««fed at &nu^ till be vzs 23 yeai; 
Teus (S »e ; Oct. 7. lE-li*. case lo W»n»a : looted ia Piwienle. vhoe he vas enploTed at floar- 
w'lwg bj his br^jther Gi':r^ A,: ia Jaaavy. ISsO, he aecmnd eapfejaaeat om the M. k Prune da Giiea 
B. R. ; he was |auMuiLii to the yjbiti iia of siavel--txaia wdaetor: at the suae tiae, acted as parciiasiag 
aeeat of laOroad ties ^ vood; ia Xaj. 1S»3. he ic ^ ^J lad weat s eoadae to r oa the Chicaeo, I^ 
Ooese k Mitwaakee B. B. ; ia lS»t. the eoaipaaj |auaiultJ hin to the poatioB of pasae^cr-tnia cod- 
faetor. wUeh peaooB he ftkhlalj ffled ta IS66; ia 1360, he bo^t a &m of 130 atxes in Oakhad 
Towash^ which he restel oat. 

J. Sw nXl£l'. finer. See. 11 ; P. O. Fort AtkiKoa ; bora ia Bertsfaiie Co.. 3«a^ Feb. 10, 
1812: banaadnBedaaafaiiB: whea9yea(s of ^e.he west with his paieats to Oneida Co.. X. T.. whoe 
they eapeed'at fifing J. S. reeeired a Biaitwi schoofi^, bat he w^ olwars f >a" e ti e in as^xiaz hb 
wonhj ^o^feais tf fiiwlJe: at the ^s of 21. he b^aa fife ftr hiasdC Manvd. in Ma&oa Co.. >" Y 
ia JtorriahiT. 1836. Mee Chrissa Waid. who was bora ia Oaetda Co. ia 1813; taar ehilifaea are Hring 
—Oscar. Khnhefh, Ootdefia aad EanoL la the ^riiK of 1>43. be ewe with his hmSij to Wiaeoasia ; 
featedia "■• ^ - • Tov^hipi, JeSasee Co- a hum he nieaelaiM of e^htj acres, which he fispoeedof ia 
the sptK. thea w«at to Waakedia Oou whete he wwked at dilfeie a l &hb oa Au«s tiC the 

qwiag «f 1 ^: : ^ thea iiAaiae d to Oakkad Tow«ahq>, where he took ap e%:htj acres. When Mr. 
Vbiej eaMeto Wiseeaaa, he hadanthia; to eoaaMaee oa except his enei^j aad iadastrj: ia the earij 
dbtjs. he worked for 23 eeatE aad 50 eeass a daj ; coald aot erea get dat aaoaat ia cash : they were 
ni fm f i 'trd a>aeeept ^eir wa^esia prorkiaae; at oae tiMe he was paid ia portioas of ho^ whidi be 
evned oa his back to the fim where he is aow Eri^ a iBliaii of orer tea mSk&. Mr. Pixky has 
beea a very icdaslno^ Maa : he befieres ia dotK work iq> to Ae haaAe. He aow owns 160 acres of 
had, whaeh k iaely improved. His oalj sua, Oscar, caugUi eJy helped his fither ia votkii^ the fin 
■Bti he eafeced, ia A^aet, 19^ b Co. I, 3d Colo. T. Lz sened ^dbatly ; was mastered oat Jan. 15, 
1865 : letai a e d to his hose m OaUaad. wliere he ai gagc d at fi«iag; ■anied. ia Jane. 1S73. Ms 
" AohciLL. who was bon ia Aitaha Tuwaehip: Aey have three chBdreo — Maiy, Josie aad 
Mr. Pizley. Jr., owas e^hty acres of had ai^niaiag his fither. Mr. Pixley, Sr., is a Greea- 
te'. 

H. H. POTTEB. :aipeater aad fifser. Sees. 6 aad7; P. O. Caaibridse. Daae Co.; bora ia 
Isiaad ia 3iaj. Isl^ oa a firm ; weK with his pareats, ia 1817. to Seaqmaios Towa^np, Cayaga 
Oil, ^. T. ; whea qaiie yoa^ he leaiaad the eaipeater aad ho aac b aihBag baaiaes, w^iefa he fiiflow^d 
aatil 23 jeus of aee. tha begaa Cyiag ; rwaiiacd thirty-senca yeais. Manied, ia Cayi^a Co., in Sep- 
teari>er. 1^37. Mb Loaisa HoweS, wfe was bon ia Hector, Schayier Oou ia Febraaiy. 1816 : efaHdieo 
are Warrea Kiriiall : Edward X., ttrmam^ ia Oakkad ; Eadlr, £ed at the a>e of 7 : Fiaaklia. ban ia 
Feiaaaiy. 1S42. feUwed fizM^ aatil he ea&ted ia Oakland ia 3d AitiDety. Co. D; he was stataoaed 
at Jkiexaadna, Ta. ; fioa severe ecpoeafe he was takea iH ; Mastered oat in Jnae, 1865 ; returned to his 
hoMC ia Otikbad, where^ •*!■? **> AcHe eoatraeted ia the ataiT. he so&red terribh- and died Ang. 3, 
I86iaL A few yeae after ■wti^e, Mr. Patter nmand his fiady to Cottbad Co.. X. T.. where he fid- 
lawcd f ii w i i ^ tiB 1314, Aea w«aft to OaoadKa Col. X. T- where he fitOowed earpeateiiag aad hoase- 
bail^ ta the sprv of 1851:, thea located ia^Ca^widze, Daae Col, Wis., where he foBowed bk trade 
111 the spriae of 1356, thea wsmawtd to OaUaad Towaship,boa^ aiaety acres of had, paitidyiaqiroTed. 
oa whaeh he has Made seat iw{a iin aa rta; laases a Taiiety of cn>pa,aad is e a gage d ia the daay baaiaeas. 
K< palilW III 

LfiSOXABD POTTER, firmer. See. 19; P. O. Cambridge, Daae Co.; bon ia Bhode Uaad, 
So wb er , l^lt. -rbsre he pas^d he eady Efe aad r ece i t i ed a eommoa.9ehoQl edaeatioa: ia 1344. came 
to Wkeoaaa aad located ia Walworth Coaaty, ea^^^iag at fiam^ till the aammer of 1U6, wh?9 h^ 
b ea ^ has pceseat hiimi in a1 m Oakhad Tow aahip . i ii ai i i ni a ^ of eighty aoes ; owas in aD 139 
xmses the geaerai pmdactt of the eoaaty aad makes sto^-oisiaz a tyeriih t . Married, Jobe 
Mary Ja»e L-ri^r who was ban ia 1829: has three ch3diea— WilEam T.. Legaard J.. Samael G. 

STACElf S. FOTTBK, firmer. Sec 13: P. O. Cambridge; bon ia Seott, Coithad Co., 
N. T- ia Xorember. 1833; soa of Thomas H. Potter; came to Wiwoasia with bis greats ia 1346 ; 
kjckieA in Oakhal and easeed ia fiimiag: whea 16 yean of aee. eommeaeed to work luO acres far 
hiautUl Manied ia October. 1354. Jane WaSaee. a aatire of Scnthad ; had aine eUIdrea — ^Thoams S.. 
Larinia. Charles, Robert, WilHim. John W., Edward J_ CaroGa: B„ Maiy. His fi&dme has beea 
deroted to fismias. aad be aow cahiTates 132 acres : rases the geaeial prodactB of the eoaaty. makii^ a 
ipeesaky «f hops aad axiTe dock.* Badieal Bepahiiraa ; memhs of School Board. 



OAELAXD TOW5^nP- T» 





W. K. POTTEE. ^r^^.SefcS; P. a Oniofae: fcaw » OamJiji Gk, X. T- F^«m»t. 

: fooMZ w WiaeoaaB ^ ISS : Asr hexieii m 

W. K. leeanei a ^od n— wiii 'i fiDnf eia- 

I 1b fidker m wkiK sfe &Em. MaixkiL 3. 

hs is aaxr Er^e aal ■' j'4 wtt s»Ke9^uy ; ngH« » 
i catv-sksrfe ^ vkv is asasi is t^ xv^a : taass 
T : lakes fnit m Jiiijiaa ba^es. BeyaUeiM : m sfo^ ^ 1?T:. vks iiiesasii -ni ^xk 

lIONF> POPTKieS. &n»^.P<astMaer»d Asesa^: Sei^Sa: knH AKBBTj«^b^ 

. . i^- w^ a Badne of Xev Y^d Ssase : ifej kai £«« fJrMiea — O^ear. Kagf**. 

E -T. Iksr MOiks fied ia MaxcL IdSS. Mr. P««a&.B5^ «~Sk. 

L '^ - ^. -1^4- the ftflwi a g &■. yirk»7rd eKkcr aos ^ore. ^ 

nested fir F9as's PaL. CafeL.x»i kbbw^ h lS»Sa : pncksed apf^sf- 
- ^^ ki? hi* iiiimI_ ad Bikes a Sfsxiikj ef aafaoeex. beuK. snakasie tmi 

" CHARLES RAHSET. zsnms. Sec ±^: P. O. F-m AikiKoa; i»«m m St. Lanaee C*. 
^. i^_ M^T ^ 1:-^ . ^ i^ atrlj ii^e^ ke vas o^feiei as aSiBS i^a&a: Wviie das. kt sxi«lei 
^ro*^ die camatcj sbSk, m a raail vmj : a&aiaad wked m Xcv H*»gi=&?T&. C-xaaaa:^ ami Has- 
sttkiBensz ikea lemaed s» EsbcX C«l. X. T~ 'skare ke &iMed. la Ae ^^^^ ::' - ~^ "^'^e £is 
^mfiayed n piaoks: walked ac -nrt-w oeafacitMe; finlf sadsi m Heicoa Ti«ki - a Col. 

Wis. lIanied,iaHdR»T0s^kqk.XeT.12.1S31.3iKEbBaX<!>«^&«k»«asiMaai>r7 z riiiaMaT. 
lS32;tkeTkadaiMdbiUR«.ei^laeBf»?— CksisSi-Sla A- Frt^H-Ahveox Jaws D.,r ~ 
£L f^eae ajid ia&at avMed. Hr. Bwi^ ke■^t^ m Hehna Tvmdqpc Skt aos «f imi 
hiim^ytvi tmi Brei oa Mtfl Ae^riagyg lg7<.a«»kiAnMeke nMi^nei » OiHiaj Tai— ^^; 
\iu aens of had, oa vkidk aae gaad fiaiees aad haiWajr : nnes Kaal a«ps tmd amA «c ike 
takis r-riie in ^IrvL ti a :. Bci:«?)Ear 

ROBERT ROBFRT<«il\ n ia Seocfaad Jahr 4. 1S35 : K»i«d a aai 
tr — r •- ir'-^-k Tia-w-T ki- gj-imi niT 1^7 He E aa esedkae 

' ~. W caae &^m Sesibai s» Wkeeasn. bcMeii h 

-.oTai ian put^s^dy onia' ske &» f* «£ Obk. 

Faesarr. s£ vkkk Mr. Kikasw s> ske iki.i ■■itur : 

- .-. _ . r „.^.^:^ : ..^. -1^ . oL ia f)iiHmi m Maick. 15:3. Mks EBea Si<«<^dn. 

. . - jurae «ad Sorak SSktnkoca : ks two ckBA^^ — Gewae aad Saak. He ajv owie 13^ 

JOH\ <.. RUCKEKT. ^laer; P. O. Cwkriibe. IXwe Coli k«n aa de Bkiae. FkwSMe 

T. 1^4. ISSo ; 39a of LoaE Saekat. vko «K ban B 1;%: eaae » AMedca 

. Psai^ ia 1S49. (kea cmk ta Wisesaa aad sixded m USSsti. JtBsstm Ca^ 

dbar. la<l. as CMfonl, Osl D, 3i W. T. C.: »fiar «k year, ke vk p»- 

i aadi ke ws —-iiTnil oaL Fdawy. ISiM. Koaxaei kw ami leMMei 

ra ke hoagkt e^krr aet^ m M2fetd: ax Boai^ fafser. snU as a said 

.:s at KnekTab. M^med. F<k. 35i. 1SS9. M^ Bckeoa Bar. «f ScknKl 

C . Peaa^ kad se««a ckihkea— Ddb. J«ika &^ Harry O- Esik^ Kasie, Genae aad Tiia &. Ow 

::u>e<T.rv<> acres ca tke skoces of Lake Btpkyr *»d raees i&f «i»eni fmiaxs^ ike onaty. Sefak- 

fican. 

WII.UAM SCOTT, &i»er. Sec 19 : P. O. C»m"s«iJ2e: Kxs ia SoL^&aal Jd|y 11. 1^7 : 
at ut ;»rlj i^. h^ kaiaed ;ke trade of vemr. wkiek W S^ov^d ia S<»3^aad. Maixkd. ia Jawaacy. 
1>3>. Mutant Miiler, ako a aadre of Seudwd, vko &d ia 1S49 ia Wisfo^Ea : kai ca« dkidzva — 
Gneie sad" Aaa. He ai^ »> ABaiea. aad keated ia Okakfaad T««wUp b 1S41. ca kss irsoc 
b^.xnr^:«»d : ke aov v^was IdO aoes cf taad. B3ssiT a^is- ealkintNa. Mnied. ia Jax ' ~ " ''^^ 
MiTT Aaa Keaaedr. vko w« Iwm ia Seodaad ia 1S24 : kai sx ckS^ea — ^3fjiy, M«^- 1 -je. 

MH^ri 1:1 i 5i=::iei- Repobtina. 

^EOBKE SILTEKTHOKX, ^Keaaed; kon a Ckaad* Xsr. S. 17^: rmnvis ^?«- 
Boans^ool edaeadoa : at aa eariy ^^ ke karaed tke sraii of Amt-bj^s^. v^.-:: l^r :X T^i r^ 
for erer tea tvsus. Minted tkare. ia tk aataBS *>f ISS. Mbs Sink A:E=di- -rh: vi^ Z':^ - :- 



710 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Creek, Canada, Dec. 22, 1802 ; f.hey had twelve children, seven now living — John, George, Willis, Mary 
Ann, Esther, Caroline and Ella. In the autumn of 1843, he and family came to Wisconsin, locating in 
Oakland Township, Sec. 28; bought IGO acres of land, which he bought at Government price; on his 
place he built and lived in a rude hut with a thatched roof He was a hard worker and a shrewd man- 
ager. He owned, at various times, many of the farms in Oakland Township. In < very early day, he 
used oxen for hauling wheat to Milwaukee, a distance of sixty-five miles ; he has sold wheat for the price 
of 25 cents per bushel ; when so unfortunate as to have his wagon break down, the cost to have it 
repaired was more than the money he received for his wheat. Mr. Silverthorn was a public-spirited man, 
and always worked for the interest and prosperity of the township. He was a Democrat. He died Jan. 
6, 1873 ; his wife died July 4, 1873. 

E. Cir. SXKIili, farmer. See. 17; P. 0. Oakland Center; born in Union Township, Allen Co., 
Dec. 11, 1814 ; born and raised on a farm, and received a good common-school education ; taught school 
for throe terms; he has followed farming all his lifetime. Married, in East Lynn, Conn., Oct. 15, 1837, 
Miss Marictte Huntley; she was born in Lynn, Conn., Aug. 16, 1814; they have had six children, five 
living— Eliza M., born Oct. 12, 1840 ; George M., Nov. 15, 1842 ; John A., Dec. 12, 1844 ; Joseph H., 
Oct. 11, 1847 ; Mary M., March, 1850. They moved to Union Township, Oneida County, N. Y., where 
he engaged at farming. In 1838, they came to Wisconsin, landing in Milwaukee, where they found it 
impossible to hire a team, and, therefore, walked to Fort Atkinson, a distance of fifty miles, a remarkable 
thing for a woman to do ; located in Fort Atkinson ; they bouglit 99 acres of land ; since then, they have 
added 189 acres, and now own 288 acres well improved,; he raises a variety of crops. Mrs. Snell, for 
years, kept hotel ; she is a smart, business woman, and owns, herself individually, 160 acres of land, 
which is handsomely improved ; she also owns 40 acres of land in Iowa. They are members of the Oak- 
land Free-Will Baptist Church. 

li. li. STETSON, farmer. Sees. 4 and 9 ; P. 0. Lake Mills; born three miles from the Green 
Mountains in Washington Co., Vt. ; son of Winslow and Matilda Stetson ; his father was born in Vermont 
in September, 1799. Married there in 1830, Miss Matilda Rice, who was born in the same State; their 
four children are living — Pluma, Leander, Mary 0., Sarah. Their parents came to Wisconsin in June, 
1849, and located temporarily in Jefferson Township ; removed, in the spring of 1850, to Oakland Town- 
ship ; bought 140 acres partially improved, on which his father made many improvements, and worked 
industriously until his death Jan. 1, 1854; his wife still lives on the old homestead with her son Lean- 
der, who has been a faithful and industrious son ; he owns 250 acres of fine land in Oakland Township ; 
also owns 40 acres in Lake Mills Township, See. 32, a total of 290 acres ; raises a variety of crops and 
native stock ; makes a specialty of dairying, etc. Married, in December, 1866, Miss Laura Jackson, who 
was born in New York ; had three children — Winslow T., Carrie A., Mabel. Mr. Stetson is a radical 
Republican ; was Assessor one term, in 1869 ; Supervisor one term, 1870. 

JOHN TELFER, farmer, See. 5; P. 0. Cambridge, Dane Co.; born in Scotland June 11, 
1828 ; is a son of George and Margaret Telfer; came with his parents to New York in 1829, locating at 
Potsdam, St. Lawrence Co. ; engaged at farming till 1846 ; in the spring of that year, came to Wisconsin 
and located in Oakland. Married Miss Elizabeth Fulton in 1852 ; had four children — George D., Milton, 
Robert T., John. Owns seventy-five acres of land, under good cultivation. Member of I. 0. 0. F. 
Republican. 

ROBERT l>. THOMSON, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Cambridge, Dane Co. ; born in Aber- 
deenshire, Scotland, June 12, 1812, where lived till 14 years old, when he went to Edinburgh, to assist 
his brother in the grocery business ; remained three years. In the spring of 1829, he came to America, 
and remained in New York City eiirhteen months, in the grocery business, then changed with the 
bakery business till June, 1854. Married, in New York City, February, 1842, Miss Jessie Anderson ; 
she is a native of Huntley, Scotland ; born there in April, 1812 ; have five children — Alexander D.. Isa- 
bella, Robina, David, William. In the spring of 1844, came to Wisconsin and located in Oakland Town- 
ship, on the shores of Lake Ripley, where he bought 160 acres of land, where he now lives, raising the 
general products of the county ; makes dairying a specialty. Radical Republican. Has served over 
eight years as Township (Jlerk, and Assessor four terms. 

JACOB WAtrNER, farmer. Sec. 29; P. O. Fort Atkiuson ; born in Bavaria Jan. 5, 1847 ; 
he is the son of Jacob and Bona Wagner; his father was born in Bavaria Dec. 18, 1811 ; he was 
brought up a farmer ; at the age of 14, he was left with a widowed mother, of whom he was the only 
support. Married, in Bavaria, in 1840, Miss Bena Kulls, who was born in Bavaria in 1817 ; had 
seven children, four living — Bena, Jacob, Frederick, Catharine. In 1852, he came, with his parents, to 
Wisconsin ; they located in Waukesha Co., where his father bought a farm, to which he devoted time 



SUMNER TOWNSHIP. 711 

and industry up to the time of liis death, in May, 1878. His wife still lives on the old homestead. 
Jacob lived with, and assisted his parents at farming until 1871. Married in Waukesha Co. Jan. 4, 
1871 ; in the spring of 1871, he and his wife came to Oakland, where he purchased a farm of 
120 acres and improved it; raises a variety of crops and native stock. Independent in politics; liberal 
in religion. 

C. H. P. WILCOX, fiirmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Fort Atkinson; born in Painesville, Lake Co., 
Ohio, Aug. 8, 1822, where he received a good, common-school education. In 1839, came West and 
located on the Manitou Islands, where he stayed a couple of months ; on the 17th of June, 1839, landed 
in Milwaukee, and engaged at farm labor till 1841 ; he moved to Sauk Co., on Sauk Prairie. Married, 
in September, 1844, Charlotte Ward, a native of Oneida Co., N. Y.<; she died July 18, 1875. Married 
again, October, 1877, in Niles, Mich., Mrs. C. Snider ; purcha.sed a farm of eighty acres in Delafield, and 
sold it in 1847, and purchased, in Sec. 11, 150 acres, which he worked till the spring of 1852, when he 
sold his farm and went to California, remaining there until 1855 ; returned and bought 160 acres in his 
present place, raising the usual products of the county ; was Treasurer of Town two terms ; Supervisor, 
five terms ; Assessor, two terms. Republican. 



SUMNER TOWNSHIP. 

GEORb}E W. ARMSTRONG, farmer ; P. 0. Busseyville ; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, 
October, 1820, and, after attending school for a short time, commenced farming; in May, 1846, he came 
to Wi-sconsin and located in the eastern portion of Sumner Township, where he pursued the occupation of 
a farmer; in 1848, he went to Missouri and engaged in hewing wood until April, 1850, when he 
returned to Sumner Township, where he has since resided ; in 1850, he purchased forty acres of ground, 
and, sub.sequently, sixty-five acres, upon which he made considerable improvements ; in 1852, he went to 
California, where he remained until the fall of 1857, returning on December 10, when he again engaged 
in forming; in 1874, he sold his farm and went to Missouri in search of a good location, but, not being 
pleased, returned again to Wisconsin ; in the fall of 1875, he bought a farm of 148 acres in Sumner 
Township, where he at present resides. In 1877, he married, in Cambridge, Dane Co., Mrs. Sarah Olsen; 
born in Norway in 1853 ; they have one child— Alice. Mr. Armstrong is Independent in politics, and by 
his own eflorts, has been very successful in his farming pursuits. 

9iriCHOL.AS BARTH, former, Sec. 1 ; P. O. Fort Atkinson ; was born on the left side of 
the Rhine, in France, Nov. 19, 1810 ; he received a common-school education, and, at the age of 17, 
began learning the trade of cabinet making, and, for ten years, traveled through France and Germany, 
working as his trade. November 19, 1842, he married, in Englebein, Germany, Miss Elnora Ernaath, 
born June 29, 1817 ; had ten children — ^Amelia, Gustave, Ferdinand, Bertha, Robert H., Laura, I. C. W., 
Julia H. and Annette. In June, 1845, he moved to New York and worked at his trade ; in August, 
1846, he removed to Milwaukee, where he again worked at his trade till December ; he then came to his 
present location and purchased forty acres of land, subsequently buying 106 more. He is a strong Dem- 
ocrat. 

PHIIililP BECKER, former. Sees. 2 and 3 ; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; was born in Prussia 
Sept. 12, 1824. He received a common-school education, and, in 1845, came direct to Wisconsin with 
his father and mother, Henry and Mary Gertrude Becker. His father located and bought a farm in Oak- 
land Township, Jefferson Co., and Phillip a.ssisted him in working it until 1859, when he bought a farm 
of forty acres. He married, in May, 1850, in Oakland, Miss Carolina Christians Kelen, born on the 
Rhine, Germany, Oct. 8, 1829 ; they had four children, three living — Fred William (born in 1852), 
Louisa (1855) and Caroliua (1858). In 1853, he rented his farm in Oakland and moved to Sumner 
Township, where he bought seventy-four acres, and has since purchased 282 acres, and now owns 356, 
upon which he has made a large number of improvements. He is a Democrat, and, together with his 
family, is a member of the Fort Atkinson Lutheran Church. 

RUFIIS BIIVGHAIVI, former, Sees. 19 and 30 ; P. 0. Albion, Dane Co., Wis.; born in Pike 
Co., Penn., May 14, 1816; received a common-school education ; was a farmer. He came to Wisconsin 
in the spring of 1839. For a time, he wandered over Jefferson and Dane Cos., looking for a location ; 
bought 200 acres of land in Sumner Township, on the shore of Lake Koshkonong, which affords an abund- 
ance of water for stock; did not move on it until 1861. In 1839, he settled and engaged in farming in 



712 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Milton Township, Rock Co. In the fall of 1841, he returned to his home in Pike Co., Penn. Married, 
in Palmyra, Penn., in February, 1846, Miss Esther Ainslcy, who was born iu Pike Co., Penn.; they have 
four children— Ella, Florence, Amanda and Emcline. ^Ir. Binjiham remained io Penn.sylvania uutil 
1849 ; then came a^ain to Wisconsin in the spring of 1849 ; farmed in Milton Township till the fall of 
1851 ; returned home to his family in Pennsylvania ; there he again farmed ; spring of 1S51), he came to 
Wisconsin again, bringing his family with him. He located them in Milton Township, where he managed 
a farm of 160 acres, owned by his brother. In 18G1, removed his family to his own farm, where they 
are now living ; has purchased, in addition, fifty acres. He now owns 250 acres of land, which is situated 
on the north shore of Lake Koshkonong ; is one of the most picturesque places in that portion of the 
State. In April, 1879, he was elected Side Supervisor of the township. He formerly was a Democrat; 
since the late action of Coiia:ress, he entertains stronsr thoughts of changing. 

PETER BIXKERT, miller; P. 0. Bus.seyville; was born in Canton Aargau, Switzerland, 
May 18, 1838. He came to Wisconsin in 1852, and engaged at farming, which he followed till 1861. 
He then apprenticed himself to Mr. Thomas Bussey, of Busseyville. to learn the business of flour-milling. 
In May, 1865, he married Miss Wilhelmina Volkman ; has nine children — Emma, Eliza, Augusta, Minnie, 
Albert, Nellie, Ida, Benjamin and an infant unnamed. In the spring of 1870, he went with his family 
to Lake City, Calhoun Co., Iowa, where he purchased 140 acres of land. In 1877, he returned to Bus- 
seyville, and resumed the occupation of a miller, which he now follows. In August, 1862, he enlisted in 
Co. D, '2'rid W. V. I., from which he was honorably discharged in November, 1864. 

THOMAS BUSSEY, farmer, miller and proprietor of cheese-factory ; born in Yorkshire, 
England, Nov. 15, 1813 ; born and raised on a farm ; he served as coachman for the Archdeacon of Can- 
terbury, who is next the highest religious olBcial of England. In the spring of 1864, he with his brother, 
John, came direct from England to Wisconsin ; they located in Albion Township, Dane Co., where Thomas 
bought 360 acres of wild land, on which he and his brother lived and worked and made all the neces- 
sary improvements; they built the lirst brick house in that neighborhood ; some years afterward, Thomas 
disposed of his property in Dane Co. In the spring of 1855, Thomas removed to this township, located 
and bought a number of acres of land, to which he has added, until he now owns 427 acres ; raises a variety 
of crops, and makes a specialty of tobacco ; raises native stock, and takes pride in the dairying business ; 
he has at various times erected four houses. In the spring of 1856, he built a large stone mill, which ran 
by water-power ; the mill has three run of stone, and has been in operation ever since. In the spring of 
1874, Mr. Bu.ssey built a large cheese-factory, which h.as been in successful operation sine. The village 
of Busseyville was named after him ; he is a man of much enteriiriso; Republican. 

JACOB EMRATH, farmer. Sees. 16 and 17 ; P. 0. Busseyville ; was born in Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, Germany, March 15, 18i3; attended a common-school up to the age of 17 years, when he learnt 
the business of tailor, which he followed for two years. In 1845, he emigrated to America, landing at 
New York City, where he obtained employment until July, 1846. In that year, he came to Milwaukee, 
and remained here until 1850, when he settled in Sumner Town.ship, purchasing in conjunction with his 
brother, Peter, a farm of 102 acres on Section 16. In 1863, he sold his share to his brother, and, in the 
same year, married Miss Lonisa Kerby, who was born the shores of Lake Koshkonong in 1841 ; has 
h<id four children, three of whom are living — Emma, Frank and Lois. In 1863, he purchased 172 acres, 
and now owns 300 acres, situated on the shore of Like Koshkonong, which he has been at con.siderable 
pains to improve by the erecti(m of fine barns and out-houses. He is Independent in politics, and liberal 
in religi<in. 

NIELS HALVERSOX, harness-maker, Busseyville; was born in Norway Oct. 30, 1815 ; 
at the age of 18, he apprenticed himself to a harne-smakcr, from whom he learned that trade, and, at \ 
the age of 24 years, started for himself He married in Norw.ay May 4, 1847, Miss Ingebar Aamirsen, 
who was born June 24, 1824 ; had eight children — Kisten, Irene, John, Anna, Peter, Lena, May and 
Amelia. June 6, 1849, he and his family started from Norway for Wisconsin, where he located in 
Christiana Township, and engaged in farming. In December, 1861, he c:ilisted in Cirapany H, 15th W. 
V I., with whom he made a good record ; when mustered out, he returned to Dane Co., and re-engaged 
in farming; in 1868, he resumed the occupatio'ii of harness-mnking, and, in 1S71, removed to Busseyville, 
whi'ro he started a harness-makcr'.s business, which ho still follows. 

C. ii. HAJI.MARl^UIST, Postmuster, merchant and former, Busseyville; born in Nowkop- 
ing. Sweden, in November, 1822 ; he attended a select school, and received a very good education ; his 
father was a wine merchant in Nowkoping, Sweden ; when C. G. was 16, he went into his father's store to 
learn the business, which he followed until his father's death ; in 1840, began farming near Stockholm; 
in August, 1843, he came direct to Wisconsin; located at Piue Lake, then in Milwaukee (now Waukesha 



SQMNER TOWXSHIP. 713 

Co.~); he worked at farmino; till the spring of 184(3, when he came to Sumner Township; engaged at 
ftriuing. He married in September, 18-lG, Miss Josephine Reuterskiold, who was born in the Province 
of Wester Gottland, Sweden, April 18, 1830 ; have nine cliildren — Maria, Parmelia, Charlotte, Charles, 
Emma, Alfred, Josephine, Matilda and Susan. Mr. Hammarquist endured many privations in com- 
mon with other pioneers; he commenced life with $125 ; he now owns 14(( acres of land, which he has 
liand:^omely imjiroved ; he is proprietor of a general store; Postmaster of Bussoyville. llepublican. In 
1841), was elected Justice of the Peace; filled that office till 1865; in 1857, served one term as Super- 
visor; at the organization of Summer Township, he was elected and served two terms as Chairman of 
Town Board ; in 1860, ho was elected member of the State Legislature, Second District of Jefferson Co.; in 
1865, he was appointed Postmaster at Busseyville, and is now filling that office. 

WILLIAM HEMPHILL, farmer. Sees. 7 and 8; P. O. Busseyville; born Nov. 7, 1821, 
in Hillshoro Co., N. H.; son of Robert and Lucy Hemphill ; came with his parents to Oneida Co., N. 
Y., in the fall of 1822, where they located and engaged at farming; in 1837, they moved to Steuben Co., 
N. Y.; in 1842, be began life for liimself ; bought a farm. Married in Steuben Co., September, 1843, 
Miss Sarah Clark, who was born in April, 1824; they had eight cliildren ; seven are living — Samuel K., 
Mary E., Joseph K., Lucy L., Isabella, Luetta, William D. Mr. H. and his family came to Wisconsin 
in 1854; bought 120 acres of land where he now lives; since then he has made additional purchases, 
amounting to sixty-seven acres; now owns 187 acres; 127 acres under cultivation ; he has erected barns, 
granary and the best of outbuildings ; raises usual crops of the coonty, Durham grade cattle, Poland- 
China and Berkshire hogs ; makes a specialty of raising hogs. Republican ; member of the Albion M. 
K. Church. 

JOHN P. HOWARTH, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Busseyville ; born in Lancashire, Eng., in 
March, 1829 ; when 7 years of age, he began work at the Calico Print Works ; was employed there till 10 
years of age ; then apprenticed himself to a tanner ; learned that trade in four years ; at the age of 14 he 
went to a finishing calico factory, where he was employed till 15 years of age ; at the age of 15, he sought 
and obtained employment on an English railroad, afterward on the Welsh & English R. R., at which 
work he stayed four years, till he was 19 years old; he then returned to the tannery and went to work at 
his trade, which he followed there till he was 24 years of age. Married, in England, in December, 1849, 
Miss Priscilla Marsden, who was born in Derbyshire, Eng., in February, 1824 ; had eight children ; only one 
is living — Charles Deane, born Nov. 5, 1857, in Chelsea, Mass. In September, 1854, Mr. Howarth and 
his wife came from England to Bristol Co., Mass., where he was employed at a foundry until March, 1856 ; 
he then went to Chelsea, Mass., where he worked in a foundry, making gas retorts. In Chelsea, in 1857, 
they experienced hard times ; he found it almost an impossibility to get employment at any price ; in July, 
1858, he and his wife and child started for Braggville, Mass., where Mr. H. worked in a boot manuflic- 
tory till autumn, 1861, at which time he departed for Milford ; was employed at same occupation for 
eight months; in the spring of 1862, he went with his family to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked in a 
large shoe-factory; in March, 1866, he and his family removed to Wisconsin; located in Sumner Town- 
ship and bought a fiirm of thirty acres of land; he and his son have made some excellent improvements — 
stables, granary, tobacco sheds and frame house, in which they live ; raises cattle, sheep, hogs, horses and 
a variety of crops. He is Trustee of the Albion Methodist Primitive Church ; mixed in politics. 

IK A M. JEIVKINS, farmer. Sees. 19 and 20 ; P. 0. Busseyville; was born in Queensbury, 
Warren Co., N. Y., July 10, I83t); is the son of Corydon and Hannah Jenkins; in company with his 
parents, he came to Wisconsin in 1845; on the death of his father, in November, 1866, Ira being the 
only child, became sole heir to the property, 240 acres of land, accumulated by his fother, which he now 
works very successfully. He married, in April, 1862, Matilda Southwick, who was born in Clinton Co., 
N. Y., in 1841 ; had three children — Martha Lily, born in September, 1863; Charles T., in September, 
1867 ; Emma May, in July, 1874. Mr. Jenkins has served four terms as Supervisor of Sumner Town- 
ship 

WILLIAM LA^fGLOFF, farmer. Sees. 17 and 12; P. O. Fort Atkinson; was born in 
I'russia June 18, 1847 ; in 1848, he was brought by his parents to America, who located in Milwaukee, 
and moved from there to the south part of Jefferson Co. in 1851, where they bought a farm ; he as.sisted 
his father on the farm till 1876, when he purcliased 375 acres in Sumner Township, where he at present 
resides. He is a Republican in politics, and unmarried. 

CHARLES M. LARSO\, farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0. Christiana, Dane Co.; was born in Sum- 
ner Township on Jan. 7, 1855; son of Peter and Gro Larson; the former was born in Norway Sept. 
15, 1S13. Married, in Congsberg, June, 1842, Gro Tory.5en, also a native of Norway; they have bad 
twelve children, ten living — Martha M., Gertrude S., Ann, Louisa, Louis, Tory Olnes, Jacob, Charlie, 



714 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

Peter 0., Gustav A. His parents came direct to Wisconsin in 18-42 ; located and bought, in Sumner 
Townshiii, a f,irm of 200 acres ; Charles and Louis assisted in the working of the farm till the spring of 
1870, when they together bought 170 acres of land, the latter lOO acres which they have worked very 
succes-sfully. Charles married, in July, 1877, in Albion Township, Dane Co., Miss Kachel Smethbach, 
who was born in Christiana Township. Republican. 

JOSEPH MAKSDEX, former. Sees. 18 and 19 ; P. 0. Busseyville ; born in Derbyshire, 
England, May 10, 18o4 ; son of Samuel and Ann Marsden ; came, with his parents, from England direct 
to Wisconsin in 1844; located in Albion, Dane Co., where they purchased a tract of land and engaged 
at farming. Joseph received a good common-school education ; assisted his parents industriously until 
he was 23 years of age. Married, in Albion Township. Dane Co., June, 1857, Miss Eliza Cooper, who 
was born in Derbyshire, England; have six children — Horatio, Leonard, Henry C, Thomas, Walter and 
Mary. Mr. Marsden has earnestly devoted his lifetime to farming ; he owns ninety-seven acres of land 
in Dane Co, one hundred acres of fine land where he is now living, handsomely improved ; raises usual cnips ; 
Durham cattle ; takes pride in his dairy interests. Mr. Marsden has always voteil Republican ticket ; 
has been Township Supervisor and Constable. He and his family are members of the Albion Primitive 
Meth'idist Church. 

tJUSTAF KIELLBERG, farmer. Sees. 9 and 1(5 ; P. 0. Busseyville; born in Wester Gott- 
land, Sweden, Feb. 23, 1812; at an early age, he showed much taste for literary pursuits; he first 
attended a primary school in Jenkoping, Sweden, for two years ; leaving there, he attended, in the same 
city, a higher school, where he studied Latin, Greek, Hebrew, mathematics and theology and a general 
classical course for five years, leaving there in 1831 ; he then began studies at the Skara Gymnasium, 
which he attended till the fell of 1835, at which time he went to the University at Lund in Sweden, 
where he attended four years, till the fall of 1830 ; he then returned to his native place, where he taught 
school till the spring of 1841, when he resigned to study at the Upsala University ; this university is one 
of the oldest in the world ; it was instituted in 1477 ; there he graduated with honors in 1842 ; he then 
went to Stockholm, where he taught school till May, 1843, at which time he started for Wisconsin in 
company with Thure Kumlien, C. G. Hammarquist, Reuterskiold and James Bokander ; they came 
together to Wisconsin and located here in September, 1843 ; the latter two are dece:ised ; the remaining 
three are still living in this township. On Mr. Mellbcrg's arrival here, he immediately was employed at 
farming, at which a man of his culture, education and inexperience at farming of course felt unadapted, 
but in time he learned to be a thorough farmer. Married, in Sumner Township, in June, 1846, Miss 
Juliet Devoe, who was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., May 7, 1819; they have four children — Amelia 
(married C. C. Reuterskiold, living on a farm in Sumner Township), Emma, Gustave, Edward; the last 
two are living with their parents. Mr. Mellberg now owns forty acres of land, well improved ; has the 
management of eighty acres adjoining; raises a variety of crops; takes a. pride in raising tobacco. He is 
a Republican. In 1856, he served one term as Side Supervisor of the township; at the organization of 
Sumner Township in 1859, he was elected Clerk, and was re-elected and served every consecutive year till 
1867; in April, 1809, was elected Assessor; served one term; in March, 1875, he was appointed to fill a 
vacancy as Town Clerk ; was elected to that office in April of the same year ; re-elected each successive 
year since. During the late civil war, Mr. Mellberi; was appointed by the Provost Marshal, EnroUins 
Officer. 

ANDREW XELSON. farmer. Sees. 6, 7 and 8; P. 0. Christiana, Dane Co.; was born in . 
Norway Dec. 24, 1842, and, with his fether and mother, Nels and Carrie Nelson, the former a native of 
Norway, came to Illinois in the spring of 1843; there his parents located and bought a farm, where they 
lived till the fall of 1843, when they moved to Oakland Township and bought a farm, wliich they worked 
until the date of the old gentleman's death, which occurred in August, 1845. Andrew, at the age of 15, 
went to Bloomington, 111., where he remained, working on a farm, until Aug. 22, 1861, when he enlLsted 
in Co. B, 3d 111. V. C, and gained a fine record, having been present at every battle in which his regiment 
participated ; he was mustered out at Springfield Oct. 14, 1865. He then returned to Wisconsin, locating 
in Clinton Village, Dane Co., where he built a hotel, which be controlled until March, 1869, when he 
traded it for the farm he now owns of 263 acres, 160 of which are under cultivation. He married, in 
Clinton, Dec. 2, 1866, Anna Anderson, born in Norway June 16, 1843; had four children — Carrie, Otto, 
Jennie and Olga. 

THOMAS NORTH, farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0. Busseyville; born in Derbyshire, England, in 
October, 1 828 ; lived on a form ; received a common-school education. He is the son of Thomas North ; came 
with his father to Wisconsin ; located and bought a farm in Albion, Dane Co., of 200 acres of wild land, 
on which they made all necessary improvements. Thomas, Jr., married, in Albion, July 4, 1852, Miss 



SUMNER TOWNSHIP. 715 

Sarah Bielsford, who was born near Paris, France, in 1835 ; they have eight children, all are living — Mary 
J., Charles B., David W., Emily E., Thomas, Sarah A., Ellen M., Frederick A. In 1S53, he purchased 
ISO acres in Section 18 ; also eighty-one acres in Albion, Dane Co. ; moved to his present residence in 18G2 ; 
raises a variety of crops ; Durham-grade cows, thoroughbred Durham bull, Poland-China and Berkshire 
hogs and sheep. Republican. In 1870, was elected Supervisor for one term. 

DAIVIELi PIERCE, farmer. Sec. 18; P. O. Eusseyville ; was born in Allegany Co., N. Y., 
Aug. -lU, 1833 ; .son of Daniel and Catherine Pierce. His father was born in Washington Co., II. I., Jan. 
11, 1793. He married, in August, 1820, in Hopkinton, Miss Catherine Lewis; had six children, two living' 
— Daniel and Susan. He moved to Allegany Co., N. Y., in ISIG, and resided there till March, 1838, when 
he came to Fulton Co., 111., where he bought a farm which he worked till 1852. He then came to 
Sumner Township, Wis., where he bought a farm of eighty acres ; here he lived and worked industri- 
ously up to the time of his death in 1801. Daniel assisted his jiarents till 1854, and, in May, 1859, mar- 
ried, in Janesville, Miss Isabella White, and who was born in Perthshire, Scotland, March 7, 1830 ; had 
five children — James F., born Feb. 19, 1800 ; Thomas W., born Oct. 27, 1862 ; Pardon L., born Nov. 21, 
1805; Daniel C, born June 12, 1807; John W., born Oct. 15, 1876. He now owns 140 acres of land, 
which he has well improved. In 1873, he was elected to the office of Town Clerk, and re-elected in 1874. 
He was also Supervisor two years. Republican. 

HEXKY PIjUM, farmer, Sees. 4 and 8 ; P. 0. Busseyvillo ; was born in Allen Township, 
Adams Co., Penn., Feb. 25, 1820 ; son of Adam Plum, who married, in 1818, Miss Sarah Stahl, a native 
OS Hanover, York Co., N. Y., the year of her nativity being 1796 ; they had nine children, seven still 
living — Michael, Adam, Ephraim, Samuel, Jane, Polly and Henry. In the spring of 1835, they came to 
Ccilumbia Co., Ohio, and engaged in farming, which they iollowed until 1850 ; then moved to Wisconsin, 
locating in Sumner Township, where he purchased a farm, upon which he still lives, his wife having died 
in 1878. Henry married, in Trumbull, Ohio, in 1842, Miss Caroline Kump, born in York Co., Penn., Jan. 
25, 1825; he had eight children, five still living — John, Noah, Adam, David and Samuel. Three of his 
sons were in the army ; Stephen enlisted Jan. 8, 1864, at Janesville, in Co. H, 3d W. V. I., and died of 
a wound in October, 1865 ; Noah enlisted at Fort Atkinson on Feb. 14, 1805, in Co. H, 49th W. V. I., 
and John enlisted at Madison on Jan. 18, 1804, in Co. K, 3d W. V. I. The three made fine records, 
and the two latter were mustered out in July, 1808, the former at Madison, Wis., and the latter at Louis- 
ville, Ky. 

ALEXANDER F. REUTERSKIOLD, farmer, Sees. 19 and 20 ; P. 0. Eussey- 
ville ; born in Sweden Aug. 18, 1837 ; son of Charles E. and Maude Elizabeth ; came with his parents 
from Sweden direct to Wisconsin, in June, 1843 ; located in Sumner Township, and bought 320 acres of 
land, which his father worked until his death, Feb. 14, 1847. His wife still survives him, and is living 
in Busseyville. Alexanderattended a common schoolin Sumner, and assisted his parents in the working of their 
farm. He has, by industry, gathered together valuable property ; owns 140 acres, nearly all under culti- 
vation ; raises a variety of crops, small grain and tobacco, stock of different kinds, etc. He enlisted March 
8, 1802, in the 3d VV. V. C, Co. C ; was honorably discharged March 24, 1802, at Fort Scott, Kan., for 
the purpose of re-enlistment ; re-enlisted March 25, 1802, in Co. H, same regiment; April 25, 1865, he 
was detailed on special duty at headquarters of Gen. Blunt; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; 
returned to Sumner Township and re-engaged at farming. Married, Nov. 14, 1860, Miss Emeline S. 
Southwick, who was born Nov. 20, 1845, at Moers, Clinton Co., N. Y.; they have four children — Clara 
Belle, Ella F., Alma and Charles E. Mr. Reuterskiold is a straight Republican, and served one term as 
Side Supervisor of Sumner. Liberal in religion. 

CHARLES C. RELTERSKIOLI), farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Busseyville ; was born in 
Sweden in August, 1833, and is the son of Abraham and Maria Reuterskiold; in 1843, he came to Wis- 
consin with his parents, who settled in Sumner Township. In 1862, he married Mrs. Emily Phelps, a native 
of New York ; had two children, one living — Herbert John ; his wife died in 1871, and he married again 
in January, 1873, Miss Amelia Mellberg, who was born April 9, 1848 ; they have three children — Francis, 
Jennie and Marian. Mr. Reuterskiold owns a splendid farm, comprising 150 acres, forty-five of which 
are under cultivation and the remainder very handsomelj- improved ; in 1876, he was elected Town Treas- 
urer ; served one term ; reelected in 1879 ; he is a strong Democrat. 

a. p. SCHMITT, farmer. Sec. — ; P. 0. Busseyville ; born in Alsey, Province of Rhein Hessen, 
Germany, where he attended a common school ; at an early age, he learned the trade of a mason, which 
he Iollowed till he came to America. He married, in Alsey, December, 1857, Mrs. Maria Ann Dexheimer, 
a native of that city, born in January, 1824 ; they had seven children, five living — Charles and Louis, 
twins, born July, 1858; August, 1859; Robert, February, 1862; Hattie, September, 1865. 



716 BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

In 1858, he emigrated to America, coming to Wisconsin and locating at Fort Atkinson, where he worked 
as a farmer ; in 185'J, he took charge of Mr. Charles Hummels form in Sumner Township, which he 
managed on shares till 18C1 ; then he went to Oakland and managed Peter Craig's farm till 1863 ; 
Edwards' farm till 1865, and then returned to Fort Atkinson, where he worked for different farmers; in 
1872, he bought 128 acres, on which he erected some fine buildings, granary, hop-house, tobacco shed, etc 
He is a Democrat, and, in 1879, was elected to the office of SupervLsor, which position he still holds. 

WILI^IAM SCHNEIDER, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. O. Fort Atkinson ; was born in Trier, Prus- 
sia, Nov. 12, 1838, and attended a good school ; accompanied by his father and mother, George and 
Christine, he came to America, and to 'Wisconsin July 4, 1845, and located where he is at present. He 
married, in December, 1860, at Fort Atkinson, Miss Mary Hubbard; had eight children — Charles A., 
Adelaide, William Edward, Sarah Julia, George J., Frederick, Emma and an infant. Mr. Schneider owns 
187 acres of land, handsomely improved. In 1867-78, he was elected Supcrvi.sor of Sumner Township, an 
office he filled so well that, in 1870, he was again elected. He is a Republican, and he and his family are 
members of the Fort Atkinson M. E. Church. 

PHILLiIPP SEKiiELi, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0. Fort Atkinson ; was born on the Rhine, in 
Prussia, Oct. 30, 1827 ; he received a good common-school education, and, at the age of 16, was employed 
in a coal mine, where he remained four years. He emigrated to New Jersey in 1848, and learned the 
trade of carpenter, and, iu 1852, went to Bridgeport, Conn., where he was employed on the Housatonic 
Railroad, at bridge-building. Married in Bridgeport, in 1856, Louisa Hartel, born in Prussia in 1839; 
had five children, four living— George, Phillip, Henry and Louisa. In 1867, he came to Wisconsin and 
bought a farm of 120 acres in Oakland Township, which he worked until 1872, when he came to live on 
and manage Mr. Khimant's farm in Sumner Township. He is Independent in politics. 

Elil C. SOLTHWICK, farmer; P. 0. Busseyville ; born in Clinton Co., N. Y., in August, 
1833 ; he is the son of Milton and Harriet Southwick ; he came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1845 ; 
they located and bought a farm in the town of Oakland ; Eli assisted his parents on the farm ; in 1854, 
he started out for himself; moved into Sumner Township; managed a farm of sixty-five acres, owned by 
Kerly ; in 1865, he purchased eighty acres of land, partially improved, on which he is now living ; he has 
made some improvements. Married, in Sumner Township, in October, 1868, Mrs. Anna Daunig, who was 
born in Uhlcng, Sweden, the widow of Preston Daunig, by whom .she had three children — Rettle, Edmund 
and Josephine. By her marriage to Mr. Southwick, they have three children — Minnie, Charles and 
Albert. Mr. Southwick is Independent in politics. He enlisted, March, 1862, in Janesville, Wis., in 
Co. C, 3d W. V. C; was in Price's raid, when they fought thirty-one consecutive days; was in the fight 
with the bushwhackers at Indian Nation ; he served three years and eight months; mustered out at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kan., in September, 1863; re-enlisted in the same company and regiment; honorably dis- 
charged, in September, 1864, at Madison, Wis.; returned to Busseyville and has engaged in farmtng since. 

JAilIE$$ D. WHITTET, farmer, Sec. 7; P. O. Bu.sseyville ; born in Perthshire, Scotland, 
Sept. 28, 1846; son of James and Margaret, and brother of the well-known John Whittet; came to 
America with his parents in Aug-ust, 1850 ; he received a common-school education; he was always indus- 
trious and assisted his parents in working the farm up to the time of his father's death, in 1871. James 
married, in Albion, Dane Co., in September, 1870, Mis.s Sarah Louisa Clark, who was born in 1848, 
daughter of Samuel and Ruth Clark, residents of Dane Co.; have five children — Lawrence, Effie, James, 
Thomas and Henrietta. Mr. Whittet is a very industrious man, and was the heir to the largest portion of 
his father's estate; he now owns 120 acres of fine land with good improvements. He is a radical 
Republican. In 1878, he served one term as Side Supervisor. Member of the Albion Primitive Method- 
ist Church. 

JOHN WHITTET, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. O. Busseyville ; was born in Perthshire, Scotland, 
Nov. 24, 1837 ; son of James and Margaret Whittet, the former a native of Perthshire; at an early age, 
he went to the Parish of Scoone, in the same shire, to learn the oat-meal and barley milling business, a 
pursuit which he followed until his departure for America. In 1829, he married, in Perthshire, Miss 
Margaret Dunbar, born in February, 1807 ; they had seven children, five still living — John, Isabella, Eliza- 
beth, Margaret and James D. He, with his family, came to America in August, 1850, arriving in New 
York on August 15, and coming direct to Wisconsin ; located in what is now Sumner Township, purchas- 
ing forty acres of Government land which he subsequently sold, purchasing in its stead a farm of 120 
acres ; he devoted him.self to his farming pursuits up to the time of his death, in 1871 ; his wife still 
survives him. John assisted his father on the farm. In 1850, he married Mi.ss Susan Pearce, who was 
boin in Affield Township, Allegany Co., N. Y., in March, 1836 ; had four children, all now living — Mary 
Ellen, Martha Louis, James and Margaret H. In the same year, he removed to his present location and 



IXONIA TOWNSHIP. 717 

purchased a farm of seventy-five acres of land, which he worked until 1864, when he bought an additional 
forty-five acres, all of which he has well improved. He is a Republican, and, with his family, is liberal in 
his religious views. Excepting the years 1870 and 1878, he has filled the office of Chairman of the Board 
of Supervisors, and is at present the holder of that oflSce ; he has also filled the ofiice of Justice of the 
Peace, in 1878 ; he served one term as Treasurer of the township ; in 1876, he filled the office of Treas- 
urer of Wisconsin State Grange, and, in 1877, was elected Chairman of the Executive Committee of the 
State for three years. He has been considerably identified with the progress of the township. All his 
undertakings have proved successful. 



IXONIA TOWNSHIP. 

E. R. ADAMS, farmer, Sec. 32; P. 0. Pipersville ; born March 9, 1818, in Erie Co., N. Y. ; 
was educated and learned mechanics and farming there ; came to Wisconsin in 1836, and located at Oak 
Creek, Milwaukee Co. In 1837, came to Ixonia Township, Jefferson Co., and bought 240 acres of Gov- 
ernment land, all wild ; he lived with his father in Concord Township till 1839, when he built a log house. 
He collected the first tax in tliis township under the Territorial laws. In 1839, he visited Arkansas, 
Mississippi and Missouri, lookina; for a good location, but could not suit himself, and returned in the 
spring. In 1847, he built his first barn, and, in 1849, his first frame house ; visited New York that foil. 
In May, 1854, was burnt out and lost everything, but rebuilt immediately the house he occupies. In 1856, 
it was struck by lightning, had one gable and the plastering of two rooms knocked off, and was set on fire, 
but they saved it. He now owns 163 acres of land. He served as Justice of the Peace several years. 
Married Miss Mariett Comstock, of Jefferson Co., N. Y., in December, 1843 ; she died Aug. 8, 1867. 
Married Miss Jane Waldo, of Sullivan, Jefferson Co., Deo. 1, 1868 ; have two children — Waldo R., born 
May 20, 1870 ; Clifford B., born Jan. 14, 1875. Was the Republican nominee for member of Legislature 
in i860 and 1877, but was defeated both times, although he ran considerably ahead of his ticket. E. R. 
Adams and William Sacia were the first settlers between Watertown and Summit, and built the first shanty 
between those points. 

WILLIAM BlISHMAK, deceased; born Feb. 14, 1825, in South Byron, Genesee Co., N. 
v., where he was a farmer ; came to Wisconsin in 1850 ; to Ixonia Township, Jefferson Co. ; in 1851, he 
bought 124 acres of land, and built his residence in 1865. Married Miss Adelaide Brainard, of Attica, 
Wyoming Co., N. Y., Aug. 29, 1852; he died Dec. 12, 1877, leaving three children — Anna, born Dae. 
13, 1859 ; Edgar, June 21, 1863 ; William, Dec. 4, 1S65. The estate now belongs to Mrs. Bushman and 
children ; she came to Wisconsin in 1844, other members of her family having come in 1840. Members 
of Consregational Church. The farm is on Sees. 36 and 25 ; P. 0. Oconomowoc. 

HON. JOHN dilBB, of Piper, Gibb & Co., Ixonia Mills, Pipersville; born March 8, 1811, 
in Roxburyshire, Scotland ; was educated and learned and worked at the blacksmith trade there ; June 5, 
1830, landed in Canada, and worked in the old fort at Quebec for six weeks, then went to Coburg; in 
October, 1831, came to Pittsburgh, U. S. ; in February, 1832, returned to Cornwall, Can. ; in the fall of 
1833, went to Amherst, Lake Ontario, and, in 1835, to Waddington, N. Y.; April 4, 1837, started for 
Milwaukee, Wis., and arrived there May 31 ; Nov. 10, 1838, crossed the river on the ice on foot with a 
feather-bed and baby on his back, and went to a place twenty-two miles west of Milwaukee; he had pur- 
chased provisions to take with him, and part of them was one barrel of flour, which he solemnly assured 
his wife, and believed himself, was the last flour she would ever get ; after this, he moved ten miles further 
west and took up a farm; Dec. 23, 1840, moved to Watertown and worked at his trade there till 1849, 
when he moved to Ixonia; built a steam saw-mill, which was burned down in 1851, then kept a hotel till 
1855, when he bought 160 acres of land and farmed till 1860 ; he then moved to Pipersville, and bought 
a share in the Ixonia Mill, now belonging to Piper, Gibb & Co. He was a member of the State Legisla- 
ture for 1855 and 1857. Was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors four years; Treasurer of the town- 
ship two years ; Justice of the Peace one year in Watertown and one year in Ixonia. Married Miss 
Jeunette Hums, of Scotland, May 25, 1833; have nine children — John, born March 28, 1834; William, 
July 21, 1835; Jane, Aug. 2, 1838; Elizabeth, Nov. 13, 1840; David, June 21, 1842; Adeline, Feb. 
27, 1844 ; George, March 4, 1852 ; Ida, March 31, 1855 ; Eliza, May 4, 1860. Member of Lodge, No. 
47, Masons. Members of the Presbyterian Church. 

HAMILTON HASTINGS, former. Sec. 24; P. O. Oconomowoc; born Aug. 28, 1820, in 
Amherst, Hampshire Co., Mass. ; in 1829, moved to Franklin Co. with his parents ; he was educated there, 



718 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

and learned the saddlery and harness trade ; also that of shoemaking, working at the latter two years : in 
IS-IO, shipped for a whaling voyage on the bark Blackstone from Mystic, Conn., and was away two years; 
a month after he landed, he started West by land to Albany, and b)' water to Milwaukee, reaching there 
Juoe 23, 1S43, and immediately started for Jefferson Co. ; made a claim of eighty acres on canal land, and 
his brother, Horace Hastings, claimed eighty more ; they were the first settlers and built the first log house 
in the ea.st part of the township ; in 1S50, in connection with another brother, J. S. Hastings, built a frame 
house called the Maple Grove Tavern, which is still standing in use as a dwelling-house; in 1854, bought 
lllj acres on present location, but now owns 175 acres; built a block house in 1855, and lived in it till 
1870, when he erected his present handsome residence. Married Miss Lodema A. Washburn, of Genesee 
Co., N. Y., Jan. 1, 1845 ; she came to Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1843 ; they have three children — William 
Wallace, born Sept. 24, 1845 ; Frank C, May 5, 1853 ; George H., Sept. 14, 1862. Mr. H. was Super- 
visor of the township one year. Is a member of Ellsworth Lodge, No. 33, Masons ; Oconomowoc Chap- 
ter, No. 42. 

LUTHER HATCH, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Oconomowoc ; born Oct. 31, 1827, in Erie Co., 
Penn. ; in 1835, went to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, with his parents; was educated there and then went on 
the lakes as a sailor. In the spring of 1845, came to Oconomowoc, Waukesha Co., Wis., bought a farm 
there, and, in 1848, sold out and removed to Ixonia Township, Jefferson Co., and bought ninety acres of 
land — eighty acres of it from Government — and built a log house on it, which was destroyed by fire, and 
everything in it, in the spring of 1849 ; but the neighbor.-^ turned out to help, and in one week a new house 
was ready for occupation. In 1859, such a severe frost came on June 10, that wheat and corn were 
much damaged, the farm only yielding ten bushels to the acre when thrashed. In 1867, Mr. H. built his 
barn, and, in 1875, his present residence. Married Miss Permilla Martin, a native of Stanbridge, Canada, 
Oct. 4, 1854; .she is a daughter of Willian Martin; she came to Jefferson Co. in 1844. He died in 1861, 
but his widow is still living, being over SO years of age. Mr. H. has three children — Alfred, born July 
10, 1856 ; Charles, born Dec. 12, 1860 ; Merrill, Sept. 8, 1863. He has been a Director of the School 
District over seventeen years ; is a member of Maple Grove Grange, No. 412. 

ERKST HEIL^riAN, farmer. Sec. 5; P. 0. Watertown ; born Dec. 17, 1815, in Silesia, Ger- 
many ; came to America in 1839 ; located in Chicago and worked at shoemaking, and for the Canal Com- 
pany until the Company fiiiled ; then went to Milwaukee, and almost immediately to Sugar Creek Prairie, 
Walworth Co. ; worked at farming till 1844, when he came to Ixonia Township, Jefferson Co., having 
bought eighty acres of land here, in 1843, built a small shautj', and, in 1846, a log hou.se. In 1855, 
bought seventy acres of land. In 1857, erected a brick house, which, in 1879, he enlarged and improved. 
In 1857, lost a barn with everything in it, valued at $1,000, by fire ; he was the first man in the township 
who owned a thrashing machini;, reaper, etc.; also was the first German who learned to speak the English 
language. Was Supervisor of the township five years and Assessor two years ; was one of the petitioners 
for the establishment of District School No. 2, and trying to convince the Germans of the necessity of edu- 
cating their offspring. Three of his family are now school teachers ; two in this township and one in 
Nebraska. Married 3Iiss Dorothea Maasz, of Pomerania, Sept. 26, 1844. They have had nine children 
— Wilhelmina, born June 23, 1845, died in June, 1878; Ernst G., born Oct. 29, 1846; 3Iaria C, April 
23, 1848; Sarah E., April 9, 1850; Magdaline E., April 12, 1852; Heinrich, Aug. 18. 1854; Hanna 
J., March 8, 1848 ; Ernst Wilhelm, March 6, 18G0 ; Franklin E., March 29, 1862, died June 23, 1863. 
Members of the Lutheran Church. 

FREDERICK HLTRNER, son of Christian Hubner, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Ixonia Center ; 
born March 31, 1837, in Prussia ; came to America with his parents in 1846, and located in Ixonia Town- 
ship, Jefferson Co.; his father bought forty acres of Government land and eighty acres second-hand, and 
built a log house that fall ; he is now living in Nebraska. Louis Hubner, brother of Frederick, bought 
eighty acres of the proj)erty with the homestead. Frederick Hubner bought the forty acres, and now 
own 275 acres, and has added largely to and improved his residence. He was Chairman of Supervisors 
and Side Supervisor several years. Married Miss Sophia Damos, of Prussia, Dec. 21, 1859. They have 
six children — Paul, born Sept. 2, 1861 ; Lisette, Aug. 5, 1864 ; Frederick, Aug. 15, 1867 ; Louisa, Sept. 
23, 1870; Augusta, January 26, 1873; Josephine, March' 26, 1878. Members of Lutheran Church. 
Two of his brothers, August and Ferdinand, served iu Co. B, 26th W. V. I. through the war, the latter 
being shot through the elbow, which has made his left arm stiff at that joint. 

Louis Hubner, brother of Frederick, born Nov. 3, 1842, in Prussia, came to America in 1846 with 
his parents ; bought the residence and eighty acres of land from his father ; built his present house in 
1877. Married Miss Wilhelmina Braasch, of Ixonia, May 4, 1867. They have seven children — Otto, 
born Jan. 13, 1868, died Jan. 16, 1870 ; Julius, born Dec, 1, 1869; Lena, August 19, 1871 ; Amelia, 



IXOJSriA TOWNSHIP. 719 

Oct. 12, 1873 ; Albert, Sept. 24, 1875 ; Louis, March 26, 1877 ; Johannes, March 10, 1879. Members 
of Lutheran Church. 

GRIFFITH E. HUMPHREY, farmer, Sec. 14; P.O. Ixonia Center; born July 1, 
1820, in Carnarvonshire, Wales; came to America in 1843, and located in Waukesha Co., WLs.; in July, 
1845, moved to Ixonia Township, Jeil'erson Co., and bought sixty acres of land ; in 1847, bought forty 
acres more ; built a log house and barn on Section 4 ; the latter is still standing; in April, 1854, he 
moved to Section 14, bought ninety acres of land and built another log house, now used for a wagon shed ; 
he erected his present residence in 1868, and now owns 210 acres of land. Married Miss Elizabeth Jen- 
non, of Wales, March 12, 1848; she died Dec. 10, 1863; had ten children— Mary, born Jan. 13, 1849 ; 
Ann, May 4, 1851 ; Ellis, Dec. 15, 1852; Elizabeth, Dee. 19, 1854; Richard, March 21, 1858, died 
April 19, 1860; Phebe, born April 20, 1860, and four others died in infancy. Married Mrs. Elizabeth 
Jones, of Wales, March 29, 1S71 ; she is a member of the Welsh Presbyterian Church. 

H. E. HUMPHREY', station agent M. & St. P. R. R , Ixonia Center; export agent, produce 
dealer and farmer; born Feb. 28, 1825, in 1825, in Carnarvonshire, Wales; came to America in 1842, 
and worked as a farmer in Oneida Co., N. Y., till 1848, when he came to Wisconsin and located in Ixonia 
Township, Jefferson Co., bought 140 acres of land in Sections 15, 21 and 22, built a log house, etc.; in 
1859, he built his barns and a frame house ; in 1860, he moved to Ixonia Center, built a produce ware- 
house and a dwelling-house, and that year was appointed station and express agent ; he raises produce on 
the farm, and ships grain and stock to R. Eliot & Co., Milwaukee, with whom he has transacted business 
for nineteen years ; he is also part owner of H. E. Humphrey & Co.'s Cheese Factory, erected this spring 
at the Center, and which will turn out 25,000 lbs. per annum, making as good cheese as knowledge and 
science can produce. He was Postmaster from 1862 to 1870. Married Miss Mary Williams, of Oswego 
Co., N. Y., Oct. 9, 1849 ; they have brought up and adopted nine children, six boys and three girls, four 
of whom are still living with him. 

JOHX E. HUMPHREY, farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0. Ixonia Center; born Sept. 14, 1849, in 
Ixonia Township, Jefferson Co., Wis.; his father, Humphrey Humphrey, came from Wales to America in 
1844 and settled in this township, taking up 160 acres of land in partnership with two brothers and a 
sister; they were among the earliest settlers in this part of the township; he died in 1851, leaving three 
children — Griffith H., Mary and John E., the subject of our sketch, who lived in Dodge Co. with his 
mother till 1870; then returned to Ixonia and worked for his uncle, Griffith Humphrey, who, at his death, 
Nov. 10, 1874, bequeathed him three-fourths of his estate; he has since bought the remainder and owns 
160 acres of land, with good residence, barns, etc. Married Mi.ss Sarah Evans, of Ixonia, Sept. 14, 1873, 
and has three children— Mary Ellen, born Jan. 13, 1875; Griffith, Sept. 8,1876; Maud, Sept. 10, 
1878. He was Assistant Supervisor two years, Treasurer of School District one year; is part owner of 
Ixonia Cheese Factory, Director of the Insurance Company of the Town of Ixonia, member of Lodge No. 
144, Cha])ter No. 44, Masons. 

SIMEON JONES, farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0. Ixonia Center; born Feb. 16, 1818, in Steuben, 
Oneida Co., N. Y. ; went to Milwaukee in 1844, and immediately started for Oconomowoc Township, 
Waukesha Co., bought forty acres of land and built a small log-house; in 1846, moved to Ixonia Town- 
ship, Jefferson Co., bought eighty acres of land, all timber, and, after the purchase, had no money or 
team, and bought two calves, which he rai.sed for teaming purposes; built a frame house in 1861, and, in 
1864, added twenty acres, making the 100 acres he now owns. Married Miss Elizabeth Jones, 
of Utica, N. Y.,May 7, 1844; nine children— Lydia Ann, born April 29, 1846 (married Nov. 16, 1S68); 
Susan E., Aug. 15, 1848; Elizabeth. July 17, 1850 (married Dec. 14, 1869); Catharine, July 23, 1853 
(married Oct.'"3, 1876); EUenor, May 9, 1855; William S., March 19, 1858; Sarah, Feb. 21, 1863; 
Tryphena Jane, Dec. 10, 1865; Thomas G., May 17, 1869. They are members of the Congregational 
Church, of which Mr. Jones has been Deacon for more than twenty-five years. He is a member of the 
Good Templars of Ixonia. 

PORTER LEWELEIN, farmer, See. 32; P. O. Pipersville; born Jan. 1, 1823, in 
Cayuga Co., N. Y. ; moved to Genesee Co., N. Y., about 1826, where he was educated and worked on 
his father's and other farms; in the fall of 1848, came to Wisconsin and located in Watertown, where he 
bought 140. acres of land in partnership with his brother; in 1864, he sold out and bought 170 acres in 
Ixonia, where he now lives. Married IMiss Emiline Boughton, of Watertown, in January, 1859 ; they 
have seven children — Porter, Alden, Orin, James, Charles, Mertyn and Lilian. 

JAMES McCALL, farmer. Sec. 23 and 22 ; P. O. Ixonia Center ; born May 7, 1833, in Cale- 
donia, Livingston Co., N. Y. ; came to Wisconsin with parents in 1842, and located near Waukesha. In 
1844, his father, D. H. McCall, bought eighty acres of Government land in Ixonia Town.ship, Jefferson 

X 



720 BIOGRAPHICAL !?KETCIIES : 

Co., and moved on to it in the spring of 1845; in 1848, bought sixty-three acres from J. S. Rockwell , in 
fall of 1845, built a block-house, being the first settler on the west side of the river and east of Pipersville. 
In 1849, a hotel and store was built on Mr. McCall's hind — the former did a large business till the railroad 
passed ; the latter, 3Ir. McC. bought and turned into a residence for his family. In 1873, James McCall 
built the present brick house. He now owns 181 acres of land. Married Miss Mary Gilshen, of Isonia 
Town.ship, Oct. 1, ISGl, and has five children — Daniel H., Alice J., Agnes, Hugh and Mary. He has 
been Postmaster of Ixonia Center since 1871. Is a member of Oconomuwoc Lodge, No. 183; Chapter, No. 
42, A.. F. & A. M. Mrs. McC. is a member of the R. C. Church. 

RICHARD MORRIS, farmer. Sees. 22 and 24; P. O. Ixonia Center; born Nov. 1, 1823, in 
Flintshire, Wales; came to America Oct. 1, 1854, and located in Waukesha Co., Wis., and worked on a 
farm there till 1857, when he moved to Ixonia Township, Jeiferson Co. In 1862, bought eighty acres of 
land on Sec. 24, and now rents eighty acres in Sec. 22, besides. Married Miss Sarah Roberts, of Flint- 
shire, Wales, Aug. 3, 1852 ; have eight children — Peter R., born Jan. 1, 1854 ; Lucy J., Jan. 16, 1856 ; 
William A., Nov. 19, 1857; Elizabeth, Aug. 30, 1859; Agnes, Feb. 5, 18G3; Dickey, Sept. 25, 1865, 
died Aug. 3, 1867 ; Eddie, born July 27, 1869; Mollis, April 5, 1874. 

EVAX OWEN, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Ixonia Center; born in June, 1821, in Montgomery- 
shire, Wales ; came to America in 1841, and first lived in Oneida Co., N. Y., where he worked in a starch- 
factory. In 1845, he visited W^isconsin, and bought eighty acres of land in Ixonia Township, Jefferson 
Co. In 184G, moved here, and, in 1847, built a log house ; erected his present residence in 1861. He 
now owns 160 acres of land. Married Miss Margaret Jones, of Carnarvonshire, Wales, March 9, 1846; 
they have two children — David, born Nov. 14, 1852 ; Anna, Sept. 23, 1854. The family are members of 
the Welsh Cuniireiiatiunal Church, of which Mr. Owen is a Deacon. 

HORACE PEARL, farmer, Sees. 29 and 30; P. 0. Pipersville; born Jan. 28, 1816, in 
Oneida Co., N. Y. ; was educated there; moved to Cayuga Co. in 1837, and ran a boat on the Erie Canal 
till 1845, when he came to Wisconsin and located in Ixonia Township, Jefl^erson Co., on the north .side of 
ihe river ; bought 1,60 acres of land from the Government, and the first winter lived in a frame barn in 
the granary and kept a span of horses in the other part ; he, next spring, built a log house ; in 1847, the 
barn, full of wheat, w;is struck by lightning and everything burned except a horse and a few tools ; in 
1848, sold out and bought fifty-seven acres on the south side of the river, and built a frame house, which, 
in 1856, caught fire from a stovepipe and was burned down ; he then built his present residence ; he 
now owns 108 acres of land. Married Miss Ruth Maria Conkling, of New York, in January, 1845 ; she 
died in June, 1861; she had eight children — Susan, Hattie, Dennison R., Legrand and Lottie, all of 
whom are dead, and Capemia, Florence and Edward L. still living ; married Mrs. Maria Neegus, of Con- 
cord, in April, 1866. He has been Treasurer of the township one year. 

HOX. JONATHAN PIPER, of J. Piper & Son, general merchants, millers and farmers; 
born Feb. 7, 1S18, in Guilford Township, StrafFurd Co., N. H. ; moved to Western New York, near Bufialo, 
in 1822, with his parents; he was educated and afterward served a nine-years' apprenticeship there; trav- 
eled one year in Illinois, and, in June, 1847, came to Wisconsin and located at Pipersville, Jefl'erson Co. ; 
built a store and established his business ; at this time, there was only a saw-mill and a small grocery in 
the township ; the country was quite new, but impressed him favorably, and he concluded to make his 
home here ; soon afterward, he commenced the manufacture of saleratus, and for a number of years was 
quite successful ; in 1857, the village was destroyed by fire, but he rebuilt his store, etc., and continued his 
manufacture until he bought an interest in the flouring and saw mill in connection with Lester Sexton, of 
Milwaukee, and John Gibb, of Ixonia; in 1858, he built the store now occupied by them (J. Piper & 
Son;; the firm was previously, till 1867, J. & S. M. Piper; in 1870, he and Mr. Gibb bought Mr. Sex- 
ton's interest in the mill, the latter having died about a year previously. In 1865, Mr. Piper was a mem- 
ber of the Assembly, and he has served for thirteen years (eight years consecutively) as member of the 
County Board of Supervisors, eight years under the county system and five years as Chairman of the Town 
Board ; he was Town Clerk for a number of years. During the war, he was a member of the committee 
on filling the town (|Uota ; has been Postmaster since 1847, and has held office as Notary Public under 
direct commission from every Governor for twenty-five years. Married Miss Jenette C. Rathbon, of 
Auburn, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1840, and has two children living— Francis V., born Nov. 9, 1840 ; Martin L., 
Oct. 17, 1852. Francis V. Piper, son of the above, was born in Bennington, W'yoming Co., N. Y. ; 
came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1847, and has worked for his father since he leftschool ; in 1867, 
joined partnership with him, having purchased his uncle's interest in the business. Married Miss Julia 
A. Burns, of Farmington, Feb. 19, 1865 ; they have five children — Asa E., born June 19, 1866 ; Bruce 
v., Feb. 27, 1868; Nettie, June 21, 1870 ; Grace, April 25, 1872; Frank M., Aug. 9, 1879. He 



I 



FARMINGTOX TOWNSHIP. 721 

served as Supervisor of the township for five years, and has been Town Clerk from 18GU to the pres- 
ent time, excepting one year; member of Lodge No. 49, Chapter No. 11, Masons. 

SAMUEL PIPER, former. Sees. 30, 29 and 19; P. 0. Pipersville; born Oct. 18, 1816, in 
Rockingham Co., N. H.; went to Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1818, with his parents ; he was educated there and 
worked for his father till March, 1836, when he came to Wisconsin and located at Milwaukee; in 1838, 
he came to Jeiferson Co. and joined his parents who had come out a few months previously, and settled 
in Union, now Ixonia Township ; his fether was Postmas-tcr for a number of years, and the village of 
Pipersville was named after him ; he died in April, 1876, being over 90 years of age ; Mr. S. Piper 
bought 160 acres of land, and built the first frame house and barn in the township; there were a great 
many Indians here, who sometimes gave fear that they would cause trouble but none came ; two of his 
nephews were in the war ; one was killed at Port Hudson ; the other is now living in Kansas. Married 
Miss Sally Smith, of Oneida Co., N. Y., Jan. 8, 1845; she died March 26, 1853, leaving one child — 
— Helen M., born Jan. 3, 1853, died Dec. 31, 1876. Married Miss Mary Ann Hughes, of Watertown, 
Sept. 13, 1855; she died Sept. 5, 1860. Married Miss Falisatus M. Thayer, of Ixonia, Jan. 31, 1361 ; 
two children — Hattie M., born Oct. 5, 1864 ; Clara M., born Sept. 14, 1871. He was Chairman of 
Supervisors three years, and Treasurer of township three years. 

THOMAS RICHARDS, farmer, Sees. 29 and 20 ; P. 0. Pipersville; born Jan. 1, 1815, in 
Carmarthenshire, Wales; came to America in 1857, and located in Ixonia Towaship, Jefferson Co., Wis.; 
bought 40 acres of wild land and built a log house, which is still standing ; he now owns 200 acres ia 
this township and 160 in Monroe Township ; he has deeded 120 acres to his son, from which his fiither is 
to derive a revenue during his lifetime ; his present home he bought with some land in 1869. Married 
Miss Anna Roberts, of Wales, in July,_1836; seven children living — John, Thomas, Robert. Anne, 
Richard, Maria and Sarah. Mrs. R. is a member of the Methodist Church. 

HOX. JOHIV RUTLiEDOE, farmer. Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Ixonia Center; born June 15, 1820, 
in Dublin, Ireland ; came to America in 1867, and located in Ixonia Township, Jefferson Co., Wis.; 
bought 160 acres of land and built a log house, which is still standing. In 1861, he built a frame house, 
which was burned down May 26, 1866, together with his granary, the loss being $2,000. That year, he 
built his present brick residence. Mr. Rutledge has held the ofiice of Justice of the Peace for twenty- 
seven years in succession. He was a member of the Legislature in 1869, and has been Supervisor of the 
Township several years. Married Miss Jane Collins, of Ireland, Oct. 10, 1861, and has four children — 
John, born Sept. 11, 1862 ; Daniel, April 27, 1864 ; Margaret, Oct. 4, 1867, and Michael, July 14, 1872. 
Members of the Roman Catholic Church. Mr. R. had two brothers in the war, one of them now living 
in Minnesota and the other in California. 

ELIJAH THAYER, farmer. Sees. 24 and 25; P. 0. Oconomowoc ; born Oct. 10, 1843, in 
Ixonia Township, Jefferson Co., Wis., and is a son of Metcalf Thayer, of Pipersville, for whom he worked 
till 1867, when he bought a farm. In 1870, sold out and went to Oconomowoc, Waukesha Co. In 1871, 
went West and bought a small farm. In 1872, sold that and bought his present residence and eighty 
acres of land, of which he has sold ten. Married Miss Louisa Kiler, of Germany, Sept. 12, 1867 ; six 
children — Hattie, Alfred, Elijah, Isabel, Arthur and Samuel. He is Treasurer of the School District for 
1878-79 ; is a member of the Maple Grove Grange, No. 412. 



FARMINCTON TOWNSHIP. 

D. M. ASPIXWALL, farmer, Sees. 11 and 14; P. 0. Farmington ; born Aug. 9, 1810, in 
Bennington Co., Vt. ; moved to Jefferson Co., N. Y., about 1817, with parents, where he was educated and 
worked as a mechanic till 1846, when he came to Jefferson, Wis.; settled in the town of Farmington; 
moved his family here in September of that year, when he purchased forty acres of Government land, which 
was the first purchased from the Government at that time in this township; he paid town, city and State 
tax, then added more Government laud; in 1852, built his present residence, and outbuildings shortly 
afterward ; now owns 255 acres, and raises cattle and horses, which he has followed since his arrival in 
Wisconsin ; William H., his oldest son, enlisted in 1864 in a Wisconsin regiment, and was with Sherman 
on his march to the sea. Married Miss Lovina A. Dates, of Henderson, Jefferson Co., N. Y., March 15, 
1840 ; has ten children— Emmie M., Mary C, William H., Joel A., Ellen L., Miles D., David M., Ashley 
M., Lovina A., Lillian M. 



722 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

FREDERICK ROETTCHER, boot and shoe maker and proprietor of the Golden Star 
Saloon, Johnson's Creek; born July 5, 1833, in Mecklenburg ; came to America in 1S59 and worked at 
his profession as shoemaker in New York City till the spring of 1860, when he moved to Milford Town- 
ship, Jefl'erson Co., and bought ten acres of land, which he cultivated, and, at the same time, worked at 
his trade; in 1864, moved to Watertown City, and, in 1865, to Johnson's Creek and established his boot 
and shoe shop ; in 1876, he opened his saloon. Married Miss Mary Ehleis, of Mecklenburg, in August, 
1855, and has five children — Fred, Hermann, Lydia, Emmie and Clara. They are members of the 
Lutheran Church. 

H03f. JOHN D. RULI^OCK, contractor, Johnson's Creek ; born Aug. 5, 1836, in 
Ephratah, Fulton Co., N. Y., where he was educated. In 1852, he moved to Fort Plain, N. Y., and 
worked as clerk in a mercantile establishment till 1855, from which time till 1858 he was a book-keeper. 
In February, 1859, he removed to Jefferson, Cook Co., 111., and worked in a store. Nov. 1, 1861, he 
came to Johnson's Creek, Jefferson Co., Wis., and took charge of A. J. Suell's store, etc. In 1867, he 
bought out Mr. S.'s business, together with all his land, and at this time began contracting with the C. & 
N.-W. R. R. Co. to furnish them with ties, wood, etc. In 1869, went out of the mercantile business and 
gave his full attention to contracting. In 1879, he established a hardware store in Marshalltown, Iowa, 
in connection with his brother, J. C. Bullock. In June, 1879, he added wood-sawing to the above, and 
supplies sawed wood for the Wisconsin, Peninsula, W. W. Union and Milwaukee divisions of the C. & 
N.-W. R. R. Mr. Bullock was elected member of Assembly for 1878, polling 895 votes against 359 for 
D. A. Seeber (Democrat) ; he was re-elected for 1879, the vote being 868 for him and 827 for W. L. 
Hoskins (Democrat). He is Vice President and Director of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Jeffer- 
son ; also Vice President of the Jefferson County Agricultural Society ; served as Director of Joint School 
District No. 8, for sis years, and was Justice of the Peace for six years. Married Miss Mary Currier, of 
Jefferson, July 12, 186-t, and has one child — Mariette, born Aug. 4, 1867. 

AAR03f CRAMER, decea.sed ; born July 16, 1818, in New Jersey; came to Wisconsin in 
1843, and lived in Beloit till 1844, when he moved to Johnson's Creek, Jefferson Co. In 1847, bought 
seventy acres of land in Farmington, and built the residence in 1861. Married Miss Melvina Smith Sept. 
20, 1846. He died of heart disease June 20, 1875, leaving three children — J. Lewis, Cornelia and 
Nora E. 

REV. FRED'K W. A. DENIVEVOER, Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church 
of Farmington; P. 0. Johnson's Creek; born Oct. 19, 1811, in Berlin, Prussia, where he was educated 
and studied theology; in 1862, was sent to America by the Evangelical Association for Missions under 
the German emigrants of North America ; became connected with the Wisconsin Synod and was stationed 
at Edison, Washington Co., where he was Pastor of four congregations; in October, 1867, he took charge 
of the Churches in Herman, Dodge Co., and Hartford, in Washington Co., living in the former town ; in 
1874, he moved to Farmington, Jefferson Co., and took the pastorate of this Church; in 1877, he took 
charge of the school and still teaches in it in place of his son, who has removed. Married Miss Augusta 
C. Walter, of Berlin, Sept. 28, 1834 ; has seven children — Maria M., Adolph E., Gustav F., Johannes 
B., Paul G., Hermann D. and A. Martin S. 

CHARLES FISCHER, farmer. Sec. 6; P.O.Johnson's Creek; born Dec. 6, 1840, in 
Prussia; came to America with parents in August, 1853, who located in Farmington; he worked for his 
father till 1857, when he bought eighty acres of land ; he built his house in 1869 and hop-house in 1873. 
Married Mi.><s Augusta Yack, of Prus.sia, Jan. 24, 1867, and has three children — Eli, born Dec. 20, 1870 ; 
Otto, Aug. 30, 1873 ; Agi, Oct. 15, 1874. He was Supervisor one year and Assessor one year ; is serv- 
ing as Treasurer of School District for the fifteenth year. They are members of the Moravian Church. 

E. <iJ<>ODROW, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Farmington; born May 12, 1815, in Lower Canada, 
where he was a fanner; moved to the States in 1836, and located in Vermont six months, then to New 
York State, where he lived till 1841, when he came to Wisconsin and stayed in Milwaukee for one year; 
then lived at Summit, Waukesha Co., two years, and, in 1S44, came to Farmington Township, Jefferson Co., 
and entered eighty acres of land and built a log house, the second on this road, and cleared fifteen acres at 
first; then traded that for forty acres and S350, when he bought eighty acres more, making 120 acres ; 
then built another log house; now has 149 acres in this farm and sevent3'-Sve on Sec. 13; built his 
present barn in 1853 and house in 1868. Married Miss Hannah Penewell, of Concord, Jefferson Co., 
Wis., a native of Medina Co., Ohio, June 14, 1849; has six children — Adolphus, born Feb. 6, 1852; 
Amelia Corrella, Jan. 31, 1855; Ellen 0., July 18, 1857 ; Ephraim, July 12,1860; Ama.sa L., Oct. 
28, 1866; Mattie, Sept. 23, 1876. Treasurer of School District fifteen years and School Director three 
years. Member of the Watertown Lodge of Masons. Has cleared the land himself and now has this 



FARMINGTON TOWNSHIP. 723 

farm, with another, with handsome residence and fine barns, and raises s;ood crops of everything. Mrs. 
G. came to Wisconsin in 1844 and located in Concord, Jefferson Co., with parents ; married as above. 

GEOm^E C. MANSFIELD, general merchant, Johnson's Creek; born in Middlesex Co , 
Mass., May 20, 1837, where he was educated; in 1851, he Went to Boston and thoroughly mastered 
all details in connection with mercantile business whilst serving four years with the noted house of Burr 
Bros. & Co., wholesale dealers in ladies' and gents' furnishing goods. In March, 1856, Mr. M. moved to 
AVLsconsin, and located in Milwaukee till 1857, when he went to Janesville and there worked for his father, 
who had preceded him three years, in a barrel factory ; in March, 1860, Mr. M. took up his residence in 
Johnson's Creek and established himself in business, first in a small grocery store, and has gradually 
extended his operations till ho now transacts the largest business in this part of the county, dealing in dry- 
goods, boots and shoes, groceries, drugs, hardware, sewing machines and also operates largely in lumber and 
farm produce. Married Miss Caroline Mosher, of Janesville, Oct. 15, 1859 ; she died in September, 1872, 
leaving throe children — George D., Frederick C. and Grace R. Mr. M. married Mi.ss Kittie Winnick, of 
Lake Mills, Oct. 15, 1873; they have three children — Frank, Philip and Flora. He has been agent of 
the C. &N. W. R'y for ten years; has been Postmaster of Johnson's Creek since 1864; is American 
Express agent ; has served as Chairman of Supervisors three years and Justice of the Peace several times. 
Is a member of Lodge No. 43, Masons. 

WILLIAM PHELPS (deceased); born April 20, 1831, in New York; came to Wisconsin 
with his parents about 1847 ; in 1857, he bought ten acres of land, and, in 1861, added forty more; in 
1862, enlisted in Co. B, 29th W. V. I. under Col. Gill, and was appointed Wagonmaster ; he died of 
army disease at Vicksburg July 7, 1863. He was married Jan. 9, 1857, and had two children — Frank 
and EfBe. His widow, Mrs. Dorcas Phelps, was born Sept. 24, 1836, in Theresa, Jefferson Co., N. Y. ; 
came to Wisconsin in T848 with her parents, who located in Farmington ; she owns seventy-five acres of 
land on Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Farminston. 

MATTHEW POTTER, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Farmington; born May 24, 1811, in Ulster 
Co., N. Y. ; was educated there; in 1836, moved to Dutchess Co., and remained there till June, 1844, 
when he came to Wisconsin and settled in Farmington Township, Jefl'erson Co., and squatted on 160 acr s 
of land, which he afterward bought at the sale of canal lands ; built the second log house in this section, 
and that year helped raise the first frame barn in the township on Mr. Rose's place, now Mr. Livingstown's; 
at that time there was only one road through the township running north and south ; had to clear the land; 
went to Milwaukee to buy implements; had to haul grain to Milwaukee with oxen, and sold it at 60 cents 
per bushel ; it was a four-days' journey : the nearest gri>t-mill was four miles away. Mr. Potter built his 
barn in 1844 ; he still owns 120 acres of the original purchase. Married Miss Emeline Mackey, of Ulster 
Co., N. Y., in January, 1834 ; had four children — AVilliani, Ferman, Matthew and Robert (deceased). Mr. 
P. was Supervisor two terms ; Treasurer of Schools twelve years ; Director several years ; member of Concord 
Grange. William enlisted in the 16th W. V. I. in 1862, and served until the end of the war. 

WILLIAM E. SHOECHEKT, dealer in agricultural implements, Johnson's Creek ; born 
May 13, 1845, in Philadelphia, Lonsburg Co., Prussia, where he was educated. In 1864, he came to 
America, and located at Johnson's Creek, Jefferson Co., Wis. ; in 1866, bought sixty acres of land on 
Sec. 19, Farmington Township; in 1868, bought fifty acres more on Sec. 20 ; he traded land and sold 
wood till 1870, when he moved back to Johnson's Creek, and opened a flour and feed store ; in 1874, he 
began to deal in agricultural and all kinds of farm implements ; also sashes, doors, blinds, sewing machines, 
etc., etc. ; in addition to the above, alsi opened a saloon, in all of which lines he still transacts business, 
in addition to managing his farm of sixty-four acres, on Sees. 19 and 20 ; also owns throe houses and two 
lots in Johnson's Creek. Married Mi.ss Minnie Bocttcher, a native of Mecklenburg ; has two children — 
Eddie and Otto. He was Treasurer of Aztalan Township for 1876. Member of •Evangelical Lutheran 
Church of Farmington. 

AUGITST J. F. VOIGT, Principal of School, Johnson's Creek ; born March 31, 1851, in 
Ostrau, Prussia; came to America with his parents in 1854, and located in Fort Atkinson, Wis. ; in 
1855, moved to Hebron, Jeilerson Co., Wis., and resided there until 1870, when he moved with his 
parents, on a farm, one and-a-half miles north of Fort Atkinson, in the town of Jefferson. In September. 
1865, he lost his right arm, which was caught in the gearing of a sugar-mill. He attended the North- 
western University, at Watertown, during the year 1867-8 ; began teaching in the town of Hebron, in 
the autumn of 1868, teaching winters and attending the State Normal School, at Whitewater, the 
remainder of the school year, until the fall of 1871, when he was offered a position in the graded school, 
at Waterloo, Wis., where he remained until 1874, and then accepted a position in the .Jefferson Liberal 
Institute, at Jeffersjn, Wis., remaining there one year, at the close of which the Institute ceased to exist. 



724 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 



In the autumn of 1877, be received a position of telegraph operator at Hilbert, on the Wisconsin Central 
R. R., which position he resigned in the spring of 1878, and took charge of the school at that place. In 
the fall of this year, he took charge of the public school at Johnson's Creek, Wis., and has been re-engaged 
for the present year — 1879-80. He was also a prominent candidate for County Superintendent of Schools 
before the Republican County Convention, in the fall of 1879. Is a member of Lodge No. 44, I. 0. 
0. F. 



AZTALAN TOWNSHIP. 

A. R. EARL, farmer, Sec. ZO ; P. 0. Aztalan ; born in Chester, Windsor Co., Vt., Jan. 17 
1819, his parents moved to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. ; in 1823, he came to Wisconsin ; in the fall of 
1842, located on his present farm ; engaged in improving his land, and working as millwright and carpen- 
ter and joiner; at ditl'erent times purchasing land, unii! he had accumulated tiOO acres. He introduced 
into Wisconsin the Birdsell Combined Clover Huller and Thrasher; in 1862, bfigan to build his present 
residence; completed it in 18(J6. Married, in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Sept. 30, 1841, Louisa Water- 
bury, of that county, who died Aug. 15, 1857, aged 34 years. Married a second time, at Marshall, Dane 
Co., Miss llhoda B. Sheldon, of New Marlboro, Mass., who died June 2, 1872. He married again 
in Jefferson Township, Jefferson Co., March 21, 1870, Miss Francis C. Barrett, of St. Lawrence Co., N. 
Y. ; has three children by first wife— Sarah, born Dec. 5, 1843 ; Emma, Nov. 23, 1845 ; David G., 
Jan. 14, 1853. One child by third wife, Roy A., born April 26, 1877. 

CHARLES S. GREENWOOD, farmer. Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Aztalan ; born July 22, 1828, 
in Berkshire, England ; came to America in 1850 ; vi.sited Canada for a month, and located in Aztalan 
Township, Jefferson Co., Wis. ; bought sixty acres of land, and built a brick house, being one of the first 
of that material in the township, and from brick made there. He now owns eighty acres of land ; built 
part of his residence in 1874, and enlarged and completed it in 1878. Married Miss Caroline Cum- 
mings, of Steuben Co., N. Y., Aug. 15, 1851; have seven children — Charles F., born May 6, 1852 : 
Grace, June 23, 1855; Ann E., Aug. 23, 1857, died Oct. 15, 1858; John T., born Sept. 23, 1859; 
Arthur W., Feb. 6, 1861 ; Albert E., Jan. 2, 1863 ; Olivia A., Aug. 23, 1865. He was Clerk of School 
District four years. Members df Baptist Church. 

FRAXCIS A. HOFFMAX, P. 0. Jefferson; ex-Lieut.-Governor of Blinok. 

SILAS A. HATHAWAY, former. Sees. 16 and 21 ; P. 0. Aztalan; his father, Silas 
Hathaway, came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1839, and located in Aztalan Township, Jefferson Co. ; in 
1849, he moved to Milford Township and bought eighty acres of land there ; he is now dead. Mr. Silas 
A. Hathaway was born March 25, 1810, in Norris Co., N. J.; in 1816, went to Monroe Co., N. Y., with 
his family, and worked there as carpenter; in 1830, went to Mount Clemens, McComb Co., Mich.; in 
1856, returned to New York State; in 1871, came to Aztalan Township, Jefferson Co., Wis., and bought 
seventy-three acres of laud from his brother-in-law (on School Section 16) ; the latter came to Aztalan in 
1836, and worked as a blacksmith and wagon-maker; he built the village of Aztalan almost entirely, and 
bought the original farm from the State. Mr. Hathaway married Miss Marion Brower, of Now York, in 
1832, and has three children — Charles E., Samuel W. and Lydia N. 

JOHN KOHL, fiirmer. Sec. 24; P. 0. Jefferson; born Aug. 16, 1837, in Bavaria; came to 
America in the spring of 1847, and located in Waukesha Co., where his father bought forty acres of 
laud ; he died in 1851, wlien John and Charles Kohl inherited the property; in 1.S63, J. Kohl moved to 
Aztalan Township, Jefferson Co , and bought one hundred acres of land, with barns ; he built his resi- 
dence in 1869. He was Assessor of the Township in 1879, and Clerk of District Schools from 1872 to 
1877, inclusive. Charles Kohl enlisted, in 1801, in the 5th W. V. I., and served with them till the 
battle of Williamsburg was fought, where he was killed, in 1862. Mr. J. Kohl married Miss Barbara 
Bruckner, of Aztalan, Sept. 22, 1S63; six children — William, born June 6, 1864 ; Caroline, Oct. 14, 
1805; Charles, June 9, 1869; Herman, Aug. 8, 1871; Ernest, Nov. 16, 1873; baby boy,' Aug. 19, 
1879. Members of Evangelical Association. 

CHRISTOPHER liAXU, farmer. Sec. 26; P. 0. Jefferson; born June 24, 1830, in 
Bavaria ; came to America with his parents in 1846, who located in Jefferson Township, Jefferson Co., 
Wis., and he, unfortunately, lost both parents almost immediately afterward, his mother dying in 1847 
and his father, John Lang, in 1849; in 1853, Mr. C. Lang bought sixty acres of land in Aztalan; he 
now owns one hundred acres on Sec. 26, twenty on Sec. 15, twenty on Sec. 36 ; he built his first barn in 



AZTALAN TOWNSHIP. 725 

1861, and a farmhouse in 1863; the barn was destroyed by fire in 1873 ; built his present brick resi- 
dence in 1S72, and erected a new barn in 1874. Two of his brothers, Peter and Adam, enlisted in the 
2ilth W. V. I. in 1861 ; the former was killed at Vieksbursj, but Adam served till the close of the war, 
and is now livina: in Iowa. Mr. L. married Miss Mary Herman, of Wurtemberg, Sept. 1, 1854; they 
have five children— Peter, born Feb. 2, 1857 ; J. Fred, March 30, 1859 ; Flora, April 19, 1863 ; Maggie, 
June 25, 1865 ; Eddie, May 7, 1872. Mr. L. is serving his thirteenth year as Treasurer of the School 
District; is a member of the Evangelical Association, of which he is Trustee for the third term ; he has 
served as Sunday-school Superintendent for over twenty years. 

OSCAR .1. MILElii, farmer. See. 13; P. 0. Johnson's Creek; born Jan. 29, 1827, in Clay, 
Onondaga Co., N. Y.; in August, 1846, he came to Wisconsin, and located in Aztalan Township, Jeiferson 
Co , where his step-father bought forty acres of land and built a log house ; the latter worked in a saw-mill 
and afterward in a flour-mill in Jefferson; at his death, about 1850, the land was deeded to Mr. Miles; 
he now owns 130 acres ; he built a frame house in 1853, and his present brick residence in 1875. Married 
Miss Ann Lane, of Farmington, Dec. 31, 1864; have three children — Miriam A., born Oct. 12, 1866; 
Mina G., Mav 26. 1869 ; Mary Maud, Sept. 2, 1875. 

CHARLKS J. KEVINS, farmer. Sees. 26 and 27; P.O. Jefferson; born Dec. 28, 1841, 
in Caledonia Co., Vt.; in 1846, he came to Wisconsin with his parents, who located in Aztalan Township, 
Jefferson Co.; he worked for his father till 1866, when the latter gave him eighty acres of land ; he built 
his house in 1866, a barn in 1871 and a granary in 1877. Married Miss Clara Hake, of Aztalan, April 
2, 1877 ; he has three children by a former marriage — Charles V., Frank B. and Orrie J. He served as 
School Clerk one year. Jacob J. Nevins, deceased, father of the above, was born in 1818, i\i Caledonia 
Co., Vt.; came to Wisconsin in 1846, and located in Aztalan Township, where he bought 100 acres of 
land with his brother, and they paid for it by logging winters ; afterward, he increased it to 320 acres and 
built the residence in 1866. Married Miss Betsey M. Green, of Caledonia Co., Vt., in May, 1839; he 
died April 9, 1874, leaving four children — Charles J., Sarah Jane, Henry 0. and Caroline. 

BESSIE L. SEWARD, teacher. Sec. 31 ; P. O. Harvey ; her father, Martin N. Seward, was 
born in New Haven Co., Conn., July 14, 1818; came to Wisconsin in 1846, located in Aztalan ; engaged 
in farming, and worked as carpenter and joiner in 1849 ; went to Jefferson City, and worked at his trade 
two years ; returned to his farm. He has been Superintendent of Schools, and has held several local 
offices, and been Deacon of the Congregational Church twenty years. Married, in New Haven Co., Conn., 
M. E. Hull, of that place ; has five children : owns 130 acres. 

H. B. SMITH, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Harvey; born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Aug. 19, 1814; 
came to Wisconsin in 1837 ; located in Aztalan ; went to Chicago, where he remained two years; returned 
to Aztalan in 1839, since which time, he has been cultivating his farm of 400 acres. In 1878, was 
appointed Postmaster. Married at Marshall, Oneida Co., N. Y., Feb. 11, 1841, Mary Birdsall, of Dutchess 
Co.; have four children living and lost one. 

HOW. GARDNER SPOOR, farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0. Aztalan; born March 28, in 
Monroe Co., N. Y., where he worked on his father's farm; in September, 1846, he came to Wisconsin 
and bought fifty-one acres of land in Dane Co., which he soon afterward sold and then moved to Aztalan 
Township, Jefferson Co., and bought eighty acres of wild land on School Section 16 and built a frame 
residence, that being the first house in that section. He was Treasurer of the township in 1853; in 

1862, was enrolling officer for Aztalan Township ; was elected member of the Legislature in 1864 for 
the session of 1865; Republican; was Supervisor before his election to the Legislature, and was Chair- 
man of Supervisors in 1876; he served as Justice of the Peace for five years. Mr. Spoor now owns 
ninety-eight acres of land on which he raises all kinds of grain and stock. Married Miss Emily Hyer, of 
St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Oct. 27, 1862; she was born'in Franklin Co., N. Y., in 1834; have three 
children— Mary, born July 27, 1863; Mattie, March 1,1865; Georgie, Jan. 18, 1867. Mrs. S. is a 
member of the Methodist Church. 

JASOX C. TVIiER, farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0. Aztalan; born May 4, 1825, in Washington 
Co., Vt., where he worked as a farmer and in a saw-mill for his father; in Octnbor, 1848, he came to 
Wisconsin and located in Aztalan Township, Jefferson Co., and bought on School Section 16 eighty acres 
of land ; in 1849, built a large frame house, in which they still live ; on arrival, the land was all unbroken, 
with plenty of deer and wild animals roaming about ; in breaking the first fifteen acres, they used a two- 
foot plough, with seven yoke of oxen attached, turning in oak-scrub and everything as it came. Married 
Miss Elizabeth Rose, of Fort Atkinson, a native of England, Oct. 7, 1849 ; they have four children — 
Henry H., born Nov. 11, 1850 ; Edwin E., July 26, 1853 ; Julia A., April 15, 1857 ; Willis E., Dec. 
7, 1863. Mr. Henry Rose, father of Mrs. Tyler, came to America in 1837 and landed at Milwaukee 



726 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

June 30, of that year, witli his family, and stayed with Mr. Dwight Foster, of Fort Aticinson ; he bought 
a farm two miles from there, where Mrs. T. lived till her marriage. Mr. Rose died in August, 1864 ; the 
estate still belongs to the family. 



MILFORD TOWNSHIP. 

M. K. CLAPP, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Milford; born in Boston, Mass., March 3, 1803 ; came 
to Wi.seonsiTi in 1840 ; located in Aztalan Town.ship (now Milfurd) ; went to improving land ; was mem- 
ber of the Territorial Legislature of 1845 and 184G ; has held several minor local offices. Married, in 
Westmiu.ster, Vt., Feb. 5, 18.J9, Miss Olivia A. Ilolton, of Vermont ; is owner of 200 acres. 

THOMAS FETTERLE Y, farmer, Sec. 1(3 ; P. 0. Milford ; born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., 
June 13, 1347 ; came to Wisconsin with his father and family in 1850, and located in Milford Township ; 
he is at present Town Clerk. Married, in Milford, May 2, 1867, Miss Mary Benton, of Jefferson Co., 
N. Y. ; has five children — Ralph, Ernest, Mary A., Mabel R., and an infant ; is owner of ninety-five 
acres of land. 

WALTER S. GREENE, proprietor of Milfori Flouring and Grist Mills; born at Salis- 
bur}', Herkimer Co., N. Y., May 23, 1834, came with his father and family to Wisconsin in 1846, locating 
at Millord. In 1852, engaged in mercantile business at Prairie du Chien ; in 1854, he went into milling 
business with his father at their present place ; in 1859, he opened a store at Milford, where he sold 
goods four years ; in 1865, purchased 400 acres of farm land in Milford Township ; was a member of the 
State Legislature of 1862 and 1863 ; was, in later years, elected County Treasurer, which office he filled 
one term; was also a member of the State Senate of 1873 and 1874 ; was one of the two Judges from 
this State to the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876, and has been President of the Town 
Board for a number of years. He married, in Pennsylvania, Dec. 12, 1861, Miss EUa C. Potter, daugh- 
ter of Gen. Potter, for some years a resident of Watertown, Wis.: she died in April, 1863. He married 
a second time in Waterloo, Wis., Dec. 4, 1866, Miss Jeanette Guile, daughter of Judge Guile. N. S. 
Greene, father of W. S. Greene, was born in Greenfield, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Jan. 21, 1810; moved to 
Salisbury, at which place he married Miss Elizabeth M. Griswold, a native of that place. He came to 
Wisconsin in 1846, located, with his family, at Milford, and engaged in his present business ; he succeeded 
his son to the State General Assembly in 1864 ; is still in business with his son at Milford. William A. 
Greene, brother to W. S. Greene, is station and ticket agent C., M. & St. Paul R. R., at Hubbleton, Wis.; 
was born at Salisbury, N. Y.. Sept. 13, 1838 ; came with the familj' to Wisconsin in 1846. In 1861. he 
entered the army as Second Lieutenant of Co. D, 16th W. V. I.; was promoted, after the battle of 
Shiloh, to Finst Lieutenant, and July, 1862, to Major of 22d ; to Lieutenant Colonel of the 29th W. V. I. 
April, 1863, and again to Colonel of same regiment in April, 1864, and commanded the regiment until 
the close of the war. Married, at Milford, Sept. 13, 1865, Mary A. Mills, of New Jersey. 

C. G. CrRIGGrS, tavern keeper, Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Hubbleton ; born in Tolland Co., Conn.. Sept. 
IS, 1825; came to Wisconsin in 1846; located in Milford Township; engaged in milling; in 1852, went 
to keeping tavern, and for some years sold lumber. Married, in Connecticut, April 16, 1843, Corintha 
Dunham, of Connecticut, who died in 1848. Married a second time, at Hubbleton, Milford Township, 
Aug. 16, 1853, Mary Moon, of Germany ; have nine children. 

RICHARD HOOPER, mill owner, Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Lake Mills ; born in England, Aug. 11, 
1828; came to America in 1846; went to California in 1850 ; engaged in mining until 1853, when he 
returned to Wisconsin and bought his present mill, known as Hooper's Mill, and, in 1854, went to milling ; 
has also seventy acres of land. Married, in Milford Town.ship, July 4, 1854, Miss A, E. Lent, a native 
of New York ; has four children— E. W., born April 29, 1859 ; Lilly J., born Dec. 24, 1863 ; Eveline 
M., born Nov. 12, 1867 ; John L., born Aug. 24, 1873. 

E. P. IX(ir ALIjS, farmer and cheese manufacturer, jNIilford ; born in Jefferson Co., X. Y. ; 
came to Wiscon.sin in 1849 ; located in Aztalan Township; went to farming; in 1854, moved to Milford 
Township ; engaged in farming ; in 1870, moved to the village where he now resides, and, in 1871, built a 
cheese-factory; began the manufacturing of cheese; his factory burning down, he, the same fall, purcha.sed 
a building which he converted into a factory, which he again started in 1872. Was Superintendent of 
Schools ten years ; has been Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk and Assessor several years. Married,- at 
Rutland, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Dec. 31, 1840, Miss Charlotte A. Stickney, of New York. Owns 118 
acres ; have two children living; lost four. 



HEBRON TOWNSHIP. 727 

THOMAS J. MILLS, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Milford ; born in New York Dec. 26, 1827 ; 
came to Wisconsin in 1841, locating with his fother and family in Watertown ; in 1852, he went to Cali- 
fornia ; engaged in mining until 1857 ; returning, went to farming. Has been Supervisor eight or ten 
years. Married, at Milford, March 5, 1860, Miss Silesta Kand, a native of New York ; have three chil- 
dren — Mary J., Carrie E. and Ella M. Is owner of 120 acres. 

WILLIAM TORPE Y, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Milford ; born in New London, Conn., April 
20, 1842 ; came to Wisconsin with his father and family in 1854 ; located at Watertown ; in 185(5, came 
to Milford Township. His father, William Torpey, was born in Ireland ; came to Wisconsin wiih wife and 
three children in 1854 ; in 185(3, bought 120 acres where the family now reside; he died in May, 1862, 
since which time the farm has bi'cn managed by his sons, William and P]dward. 

WILLARD WAITE, carpenter and builder, Milford ; born in Orange Co., Vt., May 4, 1825 ; 
came to Wisconsin in 1855 ; located in Milford Township ; bought eighty acres of land, and went to farm- 
ing; continued until 1875, when he bought a residence in the village, where he now resides ; has been, 
since 1875, engaged in building and carpenter work. Has been Justice of the Peace and Assessor two 
years. Married, in Caledonia Co., Vt., Dec. 4, 1849, Miss Annie S. Paine, of Vermont. Is owner of 140 
acres of farm land, managed by his only son, George E. 



HEBRON TOWNSHIP. 

ARIAL BARXES, farmer, Sec. 12; P. 0. Hebron; born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Feb. 3, 

1793 ; his early life was spent in his native State; at 18, he removed to Rockland Co., N. Y., where he 
married Miss Sarah Johnson in 1814, who died Sept. 8, 1868, leaving eight children — Hester A., Mary, 
James, Arminda, Hiram, Arial and William T. Mr. Birnes lived in Cayuga Co., N. Y., twenty-five 
years as a farmer, and came to Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1855, locating on the farm he now owns of sixty- 
five acreSf which he has improved and on which he now lives with his daughter Mary, the widow of Alex- 
ander Carman, Who died Aug. 3, 1877, leaving four children— Antoinette, Jay, Eleanor and Charles. Mr. 
Barnes is a stanch Democrat; he united with the M. E. Church at the age of 19, of which he has 
since been an earnest and active member. 

CHARLES C. BROWN, farmer. Sees. 10 and 11; P. 0. Hebron; born in Jefferson Co., 
N. Y., Oct. 23, 1836 ; came to Jefferson Co., Wis., at the age of 10, locating on a farm in Hebron; after 
eighteen months they removed to the village of Hebron, where they lived about twenty-two years. Mr. 
Brown was in the mill of J. Powers twelve years; spent one year in Jefferson and enlisted Aug. 21, 
1862, in the 28th W. V. I.; was with his regiment in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisi- 
ana, Alabama and Texas ; was in the battles of Helena, Ark., Greenwood, Miss., Mark's Mill and Saline 
River, Ark., Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, Ala.; the regiment saw much hard marching and fighting 
and was discharged in September, 1865. On his return, Mr. B. spent two years in Hebron, then set- 
tled on the farm he now owns of eighty-eight acres. He married Miss Caroline Jones, of Hebron, Nov. 
26, 1854 ; they have eight children — -Ida, George, Edward, Willie, Dennis, Samuel, James and Cora. 
Mr. Brown is a Republican, and has been Town Treasurer; is a member of Hebron Lodge, No. 265, 
I. 0. 0. F. 

CHARLES BURXHAM, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Hebron; born in Jefferson Co., N. Y., 
March 26, 1842 ; he is a son of Amos H. Burnham, who was a Jefferson Co. pioneer, as he settled in 1845 
where he lived until his death in May, 1877. Charles Burnham has spent his life and been educated in 
Jefferson Co.; spent two years of his life in Minnesota and settled on the farm he now owns of 102 acres 
in 1867. He married Miss Alvira Torr*y, of Hebron, in December, 1868 ; they have four children- 
Albert, Amos H., Emma and Inez. Mr. Burnham is a stanch Republican of the old Whig stock. He 
has been Treasurer of District No. 4 about twelve years and is now a Supervisor of Hebron Township. 

JAMES M. BURNHAM, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Hebron; born in St. Lawrence Co., N. 
Y., June 9, 1836 ; the early jiart of his life was spent in his native State; came to Wisconsin with his 
parents in 1847, and remained in Hebron, Jefferson Co., until 1859, when he went to Minnesota and 
remained two years as a farmer ; returning to Jefferson Co., he enlisted in October, 1861, in the 13th W, 
V. I. ; the regiment was in Kansas, Missouri and Kentucky on scouting duty; was on guard duty at Fort 
Donelson, and was in the fight with Forrest, afterward going to Alabama ; the regiment veteranized the 
same fall at Nashville ; Mr. Burnham re-enlisted in the same regiment, and was sent to Gen. Rousseau's 



728 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

headquarters and employed in the Commissary Department ; he was captured by Forrest at Athens, Ala., 
and narrowly escaped being shot in retaliation for the hanging of certain rebels at Na-shville ; he was 
rubbed and nearly stripped, but was saved from death by a rebel Colonel, and furnished with boots, etc., 
by a rebel Major, who said " he had been a prisoner at the North and was treated like a gentleman ; " but 
Mr. B. suffered many indignities on the way to Castle Morgan, Ala., where he was held until his release 
in April, 1805; during his six months' captivity, he suflered everything from hunger and filth, and was 
fed usually on a pint of raw corn-meal per day ; men were shot and bayoneted for no cause whatever ; on 
his release from pri.son, Mr. Burnham took a short trip to Minnesota, and was discharged from service in 
August, 1865, and settled on the farm he now owns of 111 acres, which he has since improved. He 
married, in 1858, Miss Margaret Barnes, who died in 1859 ; in 1866, he married Miss Emeline Abbey ; 
they have four children — Hannah, Frank, Maud and Annie. Mr. Burnham is a stanch Republican, a 
member of the Hebron Grantre, and is in accord with the Universalist Church. 

JOHN T. BURXHAIfl, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Hebron ; born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., 
July 5, 1842 ; came to Wisconsin with his parents when he was (|uite young, but .soon returned to his 
native State, where he lived as a farmer until 1862; he then settled on a farm in Jefferson Co., Wis., 
which he sold in 1869 ; he owned the present farm of Mr. Montgomery about one year ; settled on the 
farm he now owns of 120 acres, near the village of Hebron. He is raising, among other things, a grade 
of Holstein cattle and Poland-China hogs. Mr. Burnham is a stanch Republican, and has been Town 
Treasurer ; he is liberal in his religious views. 

JEDEDTAH CABXES, former, Sec. 5; P.O. Hebron; born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., 
June 19, 1833; the early part of his life was spent in his native State; came to Jefferson Co., Wis., in 
1856. Enlisted in the 13th W. V. I. in 1861 ; was with his regiment in Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, 
j^labama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas on scouting and guard duty, and was in many skirmishes ; was 
discharged at San Antonio, Tex., in 1865, and settled on the farm he now owns, of eighty acres. Mar- 
ried Miss Mary Peterson Oct. 21, 1855 ; they have six children — Fred, Ernest, Ella, Jennie, Katie and 
Frank. Mr. C. is a Republican, and is in accord with the JL E. Church. He is one of the self-made 
men who began with nothing, and has earned a competence. He is raising Holstein grade cattle and 
Berkshire hogs. 

WILLIAM R, CASE, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Hebron; born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 19, 
1823; the early part of his life was spent in his native State ; came to Jefferson Co. in 1844, and settled 
on the farm he now owns of ninety acres, which he bought of the Government, covered with heavy tim- 
ber ; he began the task of clearing it, built a log shanty, and, like most pioneers, saw many hardships ; as 
a result, he has his well-improved farm and good home. He married Miss Ellen E. Sherman March 8, 
1853 ; they have two children — Ida and Emma. Mr. Case is a Republican ; has been Chairman of the 
Town Board, Supervisor, and was the first Constable in Hebron. He is improving his stock, and now 
has Durham grade cattle, besides horses, hogs and the usual crops. He is a member of the Hebron 
Grange. 

ALFRED COOLEY, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Hebron ; born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., June 
8, 1835; came to Wisconsin with his parents, Vinson and Julia A. Coolej', in 1843; has spent most of 
his life and been educated in Wisconsin ; .spent his first winter in Rochester, Racine Co. ; lived about 
eighteen months in Whitewater and then settled in Hebron, Jefferson Co. Enlisted in 1862, in the 1st 
Wis. Heavy Artillery ; was stationed on Arlington Heights, Va., and was in the fight with Early when he 
attacked Washington ; he was discharged at Milwaukee in July, 1865, and married Miss Isabella Mar- 
shall the same year; they went to Lyon Co., Kan., where Mrs. Cooley died in 1866 ; Mr. Cooley returned 
to Hebron, and, in 1869, married Miss Arabella Lewis, born in Walworth Co., Wis., in 1849; they have 
three children — Bertram, Frederick and Harold. Mr. C. settled on the farm he now owns, of eighty- 
seven acres, in 1874. He is a Republican, and has been Town Treasurer two terms, Justice of the 
Peace, (Nonstable, and is now Chairman of the Town Board of^-Supervisors ; is in accord with the Univer- 
salist Church, and a member of Hebron Grange, No. 428. 

CORYDON CULVER, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P.O. Fort Atkinson ; born in Rutland Co., Vt., 
March 29, 1808 ; removed with his parents to Portage Co., Ohio, when Cleveland contained only three 
bouses; he spent his early life and was educated in Ohio. Married Miss Charlotte A. Humastun in 
1840 ; they have four children — Harland J., Garry E., Grove W. and Cora M. Mr. Culver came to 
Jefferson Co. in 1845, and bought the farm he now owns of the United States Government; the land was 
covered with heavy timber, which he cleared oft", and has, as a reward for his toil, his improved farm and 
pleasant home ; he had little means to commence with, and has made his own success. Politically a 
Republican, he has been Supervisor in his town twice, and has served three terms as Justice of the Peace. 



HEBRON TOWNSHIP. 729 

MARK CUKTIS, insurance agent, Notary Public and Justice of tlie Peace, Hebron ; born in 
Orange Co., Vt., Dec. 11, 1830 ; he resided in his native State, and attended district school until 14 years 
of age; came to Jeiferson Co., Wis., with his parents Oct. 27, 1845, locating in the town of Jeft'erson, 
where he lived ten years as a farmer and teacher ; taught his first term in the town of Oakland in the 
winter of 1851. He married Miss Emeline E. Folts, who was born in Summit, Waukesha Co., Oct. 2, 
1838, and who was his former pupil. Mrs. Curtis is one of the first white children born in Wisconsin, who 
is now a resident of Jefferson Co. ; they have six children — Inez, Frank C, Herman K., William, Nellie 
and Mabel. Mr. Curtis removed to Hebron in 1855, and was elected Town Superintendent of Schools, and 
took the State census of the town as Deputy Town Clerk. He returned to Jeft'erson in 1857, and 
remained two years as a farmer; in 1859, he went to Whitewater and sold agricultural implements until 
1863; was then in the hardware business in Jefferson about four years, and settled in Hebron, where he 
has since lived. Mr. Curtis has taught fourteen terms of school in Jefferson Co. He is a stanch Kepub- 
licau, and has been reporter for the Oshkosh Northwe&tern and other papers many years. Is in accord with 
the Universalist faith, and has alway taken an active interest in historical matters. 

CYRUS CrSHMAlV, farmer. Sees. 12, 24, 25 and 2tj ; P. 0. Hebron; born in Tunbridge, 
Orange Co., Vt., Jan. 18, 1811 ; the early part of his life was spent, and his schooling attained, in 
his native State ; came to Brooklyn, Ohio, in 1836, and was in the store of W. A. Barstow ; afterward Gov- 
ernor of Wisconsin. Mr. Cusbman removed to Jefferson Co., Wis., in August, 1837, and was the only 
white man in the town of Sullivan during the winter of 1837 and 1838 ; he made his claim where he now 
lives in the fall of 1837,"but remained on his first location in Sullivan till 1840 ; then having cleared three 
acres of timber to establish his right, he settled, and has since lived on Sec. 25 ; he built a sawmill near 
his residence in 1843, and sawed thousands of feet of lumber, which he rafted down the Bark and Rock 
Rivers to Rockford, 111., and other points; he made the returns for the town of Bark River election 
of 1838, when only seven votes were cast. Mr. C. was among the very first settlers in his county, and has 
constantly increased his farming business ; now owns 920 acns, besides his saw-mil! and brickyard. He 
married, Nov. 20, 1860, Mrs. Cynthia M. Dibble, daughter of Rev. L. F. Molthrop, a pioneer preacher of 
Wisconsin ; she is the mother of two children by her first marriage — -Albert P. and Clark M. Mr. and 
Mrs. Cusbman have six children — Emily A., Luella E., Mary A., Cyrus, Clarinda and Lcnna E. E. Mr. 
Cushman is a Republican in politics. Is a successful breeder of full-blood and grade Ayrshire cattle ; has 
three full bloods and twenty-five or more grades, and has taken many premiums at the Jeffer.son County 
Fair; he is thought to have brought the first Berkshire hog into Wisconsin in 1839. 

liYJflAN DOUD, miller, Hebron; born in Lorain Co., Ohio, Sept. 11, 1821 ; the early part 
of his life was spent in his native State, where he was educated ; came to Kenosha Co., Wis., in 1844 ; 
after one year, he removed to Ozaukee Co., Wis., with the first stock of general merchandise ever intro- 
duced into the county, and was in business till 1851 ; with his partners. Powers & O'Connor, he made 
extensive improvements in the city of Ozaukee, building a hotel and several stores. 3Ir. Doud left Ozaukee 
for California in 1851, and remained four years as a merchant and miner ; returning to Ozaukee, he entered 
a bank with White & Vail; after two years, he sold his interest to Mr. Vail, and was in the hardware 
business one year ; he then bought the Newburg Mill, Wa.shington Co., which he owned four years ; in 
1867, bought the Bark River Mill, which he has since owned. He married Miss Lueinda \' . Fisher, in 
1850 ; they have five children — Nellie M., Annie E., Carrie, Lyman S. and Effie E. Mr. Doud is a hard- 
money Democrat, and a A., F. & A. M. ; is well known in the county as a successful business man. 

ALMON R. KATON, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Hebron; born in Bennington, Vt., May 12, 
1805 ; the early part of his life was spent in Kingston, Can., where he was educated ; he spent two years 
in Allegany Co., N. Y., and came to Whitewater, Wis., in November, 1842, when there were only fifteen _ 
roofed buildings in the place; after two years, he settled on the farm he now owns of 149 acres. Slarried 
Miss Orrissa Haskins June 11, 1829, who died April 30, 1850, leaving four children — Sephroness, 
Chauncey (died 1862"), Caroline and Ephraim. Mr. Eaton married Mrs. Elinor Struthers July 3, 1850, 
who died in 1851. He married Mi.ss Sophia Bailey Dec. 25, 1855. Mr. Eaton was an Old-Line Whig, 
and is now a stanch Republican. Has served as Justice of the Peace many years. Is in accord with the 
M. E. Church. Mr. Eaton is in accord with all progress and improvement, and is cIo.sely identified with 
the early history of Jefferson Co. 

WILLIASI K. EVAIVS, farmer, Sees. 21, 28, 29 and 33; P. 0. Fort Atkinson; born in 
Knox Co., Ohio, Aug. 12, 1844 ; came to Jefferson Co., Wis., with his parents in 1847, and settled on the 
farm now owned by Mr. Evans and his mother ; John Evans, his father, died in January, 1875. Mr. E. 
enlisted in 1862 in the 1st Wi.scjnsin Heavy Artillery; was stationed at Alexandria a,id Arlington 
Heiirhts, Va., and was in the fight with Forrest when he attacked Washington ; at the close of the war, he 



730 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 

settled in his native county and lived as a farmer until 1S72, when he settled on the farm he now owns. 
Ho married Miss Lucy Knowlton, of Hebron, July 3, 1805 ; they have three children — Millie, May and 
Johnny. .Mr. Evans is a Rcpulilican, and a member of Hebron Lodge. No. 265, I. 0. 0. F. 

JOXAS FOLTS (decea.sod); born in Herkim-r Co., N. Y^, March 12. 1808; the early part of 
his life was spent in Herkimer and Oneida Cos. ; he was educated at Fairfield Academy, and married 
Miss Sallit; B.irtlett, of Oneida Co., X. Y., Oct. 23, 183(i ; they lived in New York until the sprinj of 
183G, when they came to Milwaukee, built a hou-se and lived in it until some time during the summer; 
then moved to the town of Summit, Waukesha Co., Wis., which was their residence until 1841, when 
they returned to New York and remained two j'ears ; returning to Wisconsin in the spring of 18-1"^, settled 
on the farm which wa<i their residence until the death of Mr. Folts, June 24, 1S7G, and where Mrs. Folts 
continues to resid-;. Mr. Folts was a member of the Milwaukee Land and Claim. Company. This com- 
pany had claims at different points from the lakes to the Mi-ssissippi, and Mr. Folts' name will be found 
among the earl}' records in a number of different counties. In 18o(), in company with S. C. Ljavitt. he 
made a trip down Bark River, putting in their canoes in the river at Summit and going down to the 
mouth of Whitewater Creek, anl up that creek to where is now the village of Cold Spring Tfie on!y 
place where the waters were ve.K;d and their canoe-i glided unihiUenged, wa^ at Hebron, or where Hebron 
now is; for there was a dam being built, of whi,-h Mr. Folts was a part owner, as a member of the com- 
pany that was building it. Ill health induced Mr. Folts to mike a trip to the seaboard in 1845, where 
he spent most of the season; returning in the fill, was elected Register of Deeds for JeflFerson Co.. and 
moved to Jefferson in January, 184G; in addition to performing his duties as Register, he was Deputy 
Clerk of the Circuit Court. John E. Holmes being Clerk ; Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 
Harvey Foster holding the office of Clerk of the Board; Deputy Sheriff and Jailer, Royal Tyler bein.: 
Sheriff; in 1847, was elected member of the Convention that framed the Constitution of th ; State of 
Wisconsin, and served during the session ; he was then elected Chairman and Town Clerk of his town ; 
he w;»s elected Town Clerk a number of years, and to him the town of Hebron is largely indebted for an 
admirable system of records ; he was Chairman or Assessor at different times during his residence in 
Hebron, always performing his duties methodically and with exactness. Mr. Folt.s, before leaving for 
the West in 18^55, secured a letter of recommendation from the leading citizens of Oneida and Herkim 'r 
Cos; among the names in the latter county is that of Frinois E Spinner, since Treasurer of the Unite 1 
States, whose autograph is familiar to every one that has ever had or handled a greenback ; the signature 
of April, 1835, is the same as it was thirty-five years later, excepting the first letter " F;" the change 
since made has not added to its legibility, if it has become a ''line of bea'ity." In 1868, Mr. Folts was 
elected a member of the Wisconsin Assembly, and served during the session. For the last twenty years 
of his life, he suffered much pain, owing to a fall which unfitted him for active employment ; but he ever 
took an active interest in the events of the day, and was a promoter of all public interests. It was mostly 
his influence that caused the fine brick schoolhouse to be erected, near his residence. Although the 
heaviest tax-payer in the district, and no children to be schooled, he consented to take oflSce in order that 
the district might have a good building. He furnished the plan and superintended its construction. The 
growing youth, for years to come, should revere the memory of Mr. Folts for his efi"orts in furni.shing 
them the facilities in obtaining a common-.school education. Mr. Folts left surviving him a widow and 
four daughters — Emeline E., wife of Mark Curtis; Martha M., wife of A. B. Warner; Henrietta A., 
widow of L. C Wooster (deceased) ; Amaret J., wife of Charles King. Mr. Folts, in religion, was a Uni- 
versalist ; in politics, a Democrat. 

WIIiLARn (JRANT, farmer. Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Hebron; born in Jefierson Co., N. Y., Nov. 2, 
1813; he attended the Black River Religious Institute, Watertown, N. Y., three years, and be:ran teach- 
ing at 23 ; came to Wisconsin in .'■'eptember, 1842, locating on the farm he now owns of sixty-four acres ; 
he began pioneer life as a farmer and teacher ; lived four miles from a neighbor during the winter of 1842, 
and did not see a white face for a month. He spent four years in Jefferson as a teacher and mason, hav- 
ing learned the trade. He has also lived at other points in the county, and is well known among it,s older 
settlers. Married Miss Sarah Dye, of Jefferson Co., N. Y., March 14, 1847 ; they have six children — 
.Mary E., Ellen G., Samuel L., Martha V., Liberty F. and Willard J. Mr. Grant is a Democrat, and has 
been Register of Deeds, County Trca.surer, and was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature for the terms of 
1855 and 1856. His religion is a firm belief that God will make all his creatures finally happy. He has 
always been an earnest advocate of temperance ; has held many town offices, and is closely identified with 
the early history of Jefferson Co. 

LITTHKR B, «REEX, farmer. Sees. 1 and 12; P. 0. Hebron; born in Albany, N. Y., Dec. 
2G. 1S2G ; the early part of his life was spent in his native State, where he was educated; came to Jefferson 



« 



A 



HEBROX TOWNSHIP. 731 

Co., Wis., in 1844, and taught the first school in District No. 4, town of Hebron ; has taught twelve 
terms of school in Jefferson Co. A part of his farm was pre-empted by his father, Joseph Green. Mr. 
Greeu now has 150 acres with the best of buildings and improvements as a reward for industry and good 
management. He married Mi.ss Julia E. Grems, of Hebron, April 30, 1S57; they have seven children — 
Albert E., Duane, Myrtie L., Lucy R., Erastus Y., Jo.seph C. and Alice. Mr. Green is a Republican in 
politics, and has been Chairman of the Town Board, Town Clerk, Assessor ; was enrolling officer during 
the war ; has been Town Superintendent of Schools, and is now Justice of the Peace. Mr. Green is in 
ac ord with the Seventh Day Adveutists. 

WILLIAM H. GRKEN, farmer. Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Hebron ; born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Feb. 
13, 1834; sou of Joseph and Polly Green, who were among the pioneers of Jefferson Co., as they settled 
on the farm, now owned by W. H. Green, of ninety acres. Joseph Green died Sept. 19, 1S50. His wife 
still survives him at the age of 71. W. H. Green married Miss Charlotte A. Reynolds, of Hebron, March 
10,1869; they have one daughter — Luella, born Nov. 26, 1873. Mr. Green is a Republican, and is 
liberal in religion. He has spent his life and been educated in Jefferson Co., and is one of her substantial 
citizens. 

CHRISTOPHER GROGAN, blacksmith, Hebron ; born in County Meath, Ireland, July 
15, 1853; son of Michael Grogan, who was born in 1811, in County Kildare, and who came to America 
in June, 1866, locating at Hebron, where he has since lived. Christopher Grogan learned his trade in 
Hebron, and worked eighteen months in Chicago, and some time in Janesville. Father and son are 
Democrats, and members of the Catholic Church. They are doing a very satisfactory business of general 
blacksmithing, wagon and butmy making, etc. 

THOMAS \V. HOWARD, farmer. Sees. 30 and 31 ; P. 0. Fort Atkinson; born in Greene 
Co., N. Y., in 1816; he removed to Oneida Co., at an early age, where he lived till 1853, working as a 
carpenter and joiner; he then came to Jefferson Co., Wis.,, locating on 100 acres of wild land, which he 
began to clear up ; after years of labor and privation he has, with his son Orson, 345 acres of well-improved 
land, with good buildings. He marrPed Miss Indiana Graham March 2, 1837, who died in 1843, leaving 
three children — Jane, Marion and Margaret. He married Miss Hannah Wenham in 1843 ; they have five 
children — Orville, Orson, Harriet, Ira and Ida. Mr. Howard is a Republican in politics. He has 39 head 
of cattle, 9 horses, 18 hogs and 34 sheep ; he has been a grower of hops many years, and now has about, 
three acres. 

ROBERT KRAUSE, merchant, Hebron; born in Prussia Feb. 3, 1833; the early part of 
his life was spent in his native country ; came to America in 1859, locating in Helenville. Enlisted in 
August, 1862, in 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery; was stationed in and about the defenses of Washington, 
D. C, and helped repulse Early's attack on the city. On his return in Juno, 1865, he opened a boot and 
shoe business in Hebron ; in 1876, he built his present large store, where he has a general stock of goods, 
dry goods, groceries, hardware, boots and shoes, drugs, notions, etc., and is doing a satisfactory business. 
He married Miss Caroline Glipes in 1857 ; they have two children — Augusta and Anna. Mr. Krause is 
a Democrat ; is liberal in religion, and a member of Hebron Lodge, I. 0. 0. F. 

GEORGE MARSHALL, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Hebron ; born in Ireland in 1820 ; came 
to America in 1845, locating in Dutchess Co., N. Y. ; after four years, he came to Hebron, Jefferson Co., 
Wis. ; settled on the farm he now owns of 220 acres in 1865. Married Mi.ss Margaret Varty in 1844, 
who died in 1860, in Cold Spring, leaving six children — Isabella, William, Mary, Margaret, Anna and 
Emma. Mr. Marshall is a Democrat, and is liberal in religion. He began with nothing, and now has a 
good farm and home, as a result of hard work and good management. He has 25 cows, 8 fat cattle, 4 
young cattle, 8 horses, besides hogs, etc. 

JAMES B. MI^'ER, sawyer and turner, Hebron; born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Oct. 22, 
1823; the early part of his life was spent in his native State, where he was elueated; was Assistant 
Marshal in taking census of Cayuga Co., N. Y., in 1850, and was in the employ of T. W. Brown on the 
Cuyuga CAfVy newspaper three years; came to Hebron, Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1853, where his family has 
since lived. Mr. Miner bar followed his business at many points in Wisconsin, and was at one time in the 
employ of Field, Osgood & Co., in canvassing Chicago for their Every Saturday. During his residence, 
he worked three years as sawyer in the mill at Hebron, whicfe he helped build ; he took charge of the 
Hebron feed-mill in 1875. Married Miss Arminda Barnes, of Cayuga Co.. N. Y., June 29, 1S43 ; they 
have six children — Josephine, Emma, Barber W., Ida, Ruth and James ; Jo.sephine is the wife of Dr. F. 
B. Brewer, of Fairbury, 111. ; Emma and Ida are residents of Chicago ; Ruth and James are attending 
the village school, and Barber W., is with his father in the mill. Mr. Miner is a stanch Republican in 
politics, and has been Postmaster of Hebron eight years, resigning in 1S7S ; is a member of Fort Atkinson 



732 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES : 

Lodge, A., F. & A. M., also Hebron Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., which he represented at the Grand Lodge, Eau 
Claire, Wis., in December, 1878. 

WILLIAM G. PALMER, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Hebron ; born in Tioga Co., N. Y., June 
10, 1838 ; he came to Jeft'erson Co., Wis., with bis parents in 1847 ; he has since lived in the couot}-, and 
was educated in Milton CoU.ege. He enlisted in 1862, in the 2Sth W. V. I. ; was in the battle at Helena, 
Ark., and was present at the surrender of Little Rock, Ark., Spanish Fort and Mobile, Ala. At the close, 
of the war. IMr. Palmer returned to Hebron, holding a commission as Lieutenant. -He now owns the old 
homestead of 1!M) acres. Married Miss S. Jane Edwards, of Sullivan, Nov. 28, 1865 ; thej- have two 
children — Lizzie J. and Herbert L. Mr. Palmer i.s a stanch Republican ; has been Chairman of the Town 
Board, Town Treasurer, and is now Town Clerk on the third term, is also Justice of the Peace. He is a 
member, with his wife, of the Hebron M. E. Church, and has been Steward and Trustee many years. Is 
one of the succes.sful farmers, and is a member of Hebron Grange, No. 428. 

SETH G. PICKETT, M. D., Hebron; born in Lftchfield, Conn., Aug. 5, 1814; the 
early part of his life was spent in Batavia, Genesee Co., N. Y., where he attained his business education ; 
began the study of medicine with Dr. A. Crary, and graduated at the Medical School at Castleton, Vt., as 
jihysician and surgeon ; in March, 1835, began practice in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.,and came to Milwaukee, 
Wis., in 1836; practiced ten years in Milwaukee Co., then removed to Fond du Lac Co., Wis., and prac- 
ticed until 1862, when he went to Hartford, Washington Co. ; practiced three years, then went to Fond 
du Lac Co. and, after two years of practice, settled in Hebron, where he has since lived. Dr. Pickett has 
had a continuous practice of forty-four years. He mai'ried Miss Mary Searles May 2, 1836 ; they have 
three children — George S., Amelia and Alice J. The Doctor is a Democrat, and has been Chairman of 
the Town Board, Town Clerk, Justice of the Peace and Postmaster in Fond du Lac Co. ; he is a member 
of Pahnvra Lodire, No. OS, F. & A. JI. 

\VM. JOHN POLLOCK, farmer and carpenter. See. 12; P. 0. Hebron; born in County 
Derry, Ireland, April 7, 1834, and is of Scotch descent; came to America about 1851, and settled in 
Ontario Co., N. Y., where he learned his trade; after seven years, he came to Hebron and worked at his 
trade several years in Jefferson and Rock Cos. ; settled on the farm he now owns of 100 acres in 1864. 
Mr. Pollock married Miss Jane, daughter of James Boyd, of Koshkonong, Sept. 25, 1863; they have 
six children — Charles, Nancy J., Belle, Willie, Thomas and George. Mr. Pollock is a Republican, and is 
in accord with the Scotch Presbyterian Church ; he came to America a poor man, and his success is the 
result of his own efforts. 

WILLIAM F. REYNOLDS, farmer. Sees. 4 and 9 ; P. 0. Hebron ; born in Madison 
Co., N. Y., May 1, 1836 ; is a son of William Reynolds, who was among the very first of the Wisconsin 
pioneers, as he spent the winters of 1836 and 1837 in Milwaukee; in the spring of 1837, he located in 
Hebron. The subject of this sketch has spent his life and was educated in Jefferson Co ; he enli.sted, in 
1864, in the 1st W. V. C. ; was in Kentucky and Tennessee, and, at the time of the battle of Nashville, 
he was with Gen. Wilson in pursuit of the rebel Gen. Lyon ; was afterward in the famous Wilson raid ; 
had many skirmishes with the rebels and lielped capture the fort at West Point, Ala. ; he was discharged 
at Edgefield, Tenn., in July, 1865, and returned to Hebron, settling on the farm he now owns of 115 
acres in 1866. He married Miss Helen Sergent Dec. 22,1855; they have two children — Alvin and 
Frank. Mr. R. is a Democrat and a member of the Hebron Grange. 

JOHN G. SCHLICHEXMAIER, former. Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Hebron ; born in Wurtemberg 
'Oct. 24, 1827 ; the early part of his lite was spent in his native country, where he was educated ; came to 
America in 1854, and settled in Michigan ; after one year, he settled on the farm he now owns of 120 
acres ; he began with forty acres, and now has the best of improvements, including a cheese-factory. 
Married Miss Johanna Ardler in 1855, who died in December, 1871, leaving three children — Mary, John 
and Barbara. Mr. S. married Mi-s. Helen Bean, widow of Judge Enoch G. Bean, June 26, 1874; she 
is a daughter of Amor and Justina Gramlich, and is the mother of two children by Judge Bean — Ida J. 
and Fannie C. Mr. Schlichcnmaier is a Democrat and, with his wife, is liberal in religion ; he is raising 
the usual stock and crops of his county. 

ANSEL STRONG, farmer. Sec. 23; P.O. Hebron; born in Greenfield, Milwaukee Co., Wis., 
Nov. 15, 1838 ; has spent his life and been educated in his native State. Enlisted, Aug. 15, 1862, in 24th 
W. V. I. ; was in the battle of Stone River and was captured ; was held two months in Libby, and 
paroled ; was exchanged in May, 1863, and rejoined his regiment ; was shot in the right foot while on 
picket duty, and was in the hospital fourteen months, during which time he had lung fever ; was honor- 
ably discharged in October, 1864, on account of disability ; returned to Wisconsin and bought his present 
farm of sixty acres ; he has erected his own buildings and made all improvements. Married Rosina 



HEBRON TOWNSHIP. 733 

PfeflFer Oct. 13, 1861 ; they have two children — Carrie M. B. and Reuben A. ; Mr. S. is a Republican in 
politics. 

MOSES VAN L.ONE, farmer, Sec. 27; P. 0. Hebron; born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Sept. 17, 
1824 ; the early part of his life was spent in his native State ; came to Jefferson Co. in lSl-1, locating on 
a piece of new wild land in Oakland ; built a cabin, broke up part of his fiirin and lived a pioneer jife, 
seeing many of the hard times incident to those early days ; he settled on the farm he now owns of 165 
acres in 1855. Married Miss Esther Kinney, of Wyoming Co., N. Y., Dec. 27, 1849; they have five 
children — Lucinda A., Ella C., William E., Warren M. and Arthur E. Mr. Van Lone is a Republican 
and is a Supervisor of his town ; is a member of the Hebron Grange, and, with his wife, is in accord with 
the Baptist Church. Mr. Van Lone is one of the successful pioneers, and is raising the usual stock and 
crops of his county. 

JAMES WENHAM, farmer. Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Fort Atkin.son ; born in Sussex Co., Eng., 
March 6, 1820; the early part of his life was spent in his native country; came to America in 1841, 
locating in Oneida Co., N. Y., where he lived ten years as a former ; came to Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1851 ; 
spent one year in Oakland and then settled on the farm he now owns of fifty acres. He married Mi>s 
Maria Green, of Koshkonong, Nov. 8, 1860, who died Feb. 21, 1868, leaving two sons — Ervis and 
Charles. Mr. Wenham married Miss Rosette Whitney Dec. 6, 1868; they have three living children — 
Julia M., Emma P. and Mary A. Mr. Wenham is a Republican and has been Town Supervisor. 

A. E. WINDAU, merchant, Hebron ; born in Germany Dec. 23, 1835 ; the early part of his 
life was spent in Germany ; came to America June 29, 1857, locating in Hebron in 1858 as a tailor, hav- 
ing learned the business in his native country. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the 4th W. V. C. ; the regi- 
ment was in many hard battles and was the first regiment to enter New Orleans. Mr. Windau was captured 
in Louisiana and held prisoner for a short time. The regiment made for itself a splendid record and was 
mustered out July 29, 1864. Returning to Hebron, Mr. Windau has now a large store filled with a 
general stock, including dry-goods, groceries, hardware, boots and shoes, crockery, drugs, etc.; he is doing 
a good business and owns a farm of ninety-three and a half acres in the town of Hebron. He married 
Miss Rosina Barth, of Jefferson, May 13, 1858; they have seven children — Charles, Amelia, Lena, Louis, 
Freddy, Emma and a babe. Mr. W. is a Democrat and is liberal in religion. 

JOHN WINN, farmer. Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Rome ; born in Nottinghamshire, Eng., March 12, 
1819 ; came to America in 1850, locating in Watertown, Jefferson Co., Wis.; after three years, he removed 
to Lake Mills, where he lived two years, then settled on his present farm of 160 acres. Married Miss 
Harriet Clamm in 1847; they have five living children — Sarah, John, George, William and Franklin. 
Mr. Winn is a Republican and is one of the successful farmers of his county, which he helped to develop 
by improving his farm and building a good home. He had little to begin with and saw many hardships,, 
but kept steadily on and has been successful. 




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